#Chapter 9 - A Shining New Star

The day had finally arrived. All the contestants were gathered backstage to show the hard work that they had put on for the past two weeks. Or in her case three days.

I refuse to wait backstage, because I knew that they would all try to crowd me and give one final round of ass kissing. I don't do flattery. If you have talent and you want to be in the entertainment business let your actions speak not your gestures.

I refuse to wait in the front row with the judges because they would try to make small talk with me and ignore the performance of the competitors. They were here to judge not to gossip and gaggle.

I was fine sitting in the balcony overseeing everything. It was one of the main reasons why my rounds were only in the mornings and later in the afternoons before majority of them were ready to go home. Because who wants to make small talk when you are exhausted.

I stood in the balcony box to get a view of the stage. I knew that everyone would be in the seats below looking at the contestants. I wanted to get a look at the contestants with the most potential without being noticed. Or talked to.

I did this because I did not want the contestants to focus on me.

“Let the games begin!” I heard a loud clap behind me. I tried to ignore his childish antics, but it was my owe fault.

I did invite him, but I did not think he would accept the invitation. My lieutenant, Grayson laughed at he dropped into the seat next to me. I felt like he was more enthused about this game than I was.

“Are you gonna head down there and get a a front row seat?” he said.

He stretched out and began to relax, not that I could blame him. Being in the human world was a strain but traveling back and forth between the realms was exhausting to say the least.

“I am not judging this competition. I am here to observe not interfere with the outcome,” I replied.

“S much for getting up close and personal with the finalists.” Grayson said with a snort.
“Why are you here?” I interjected. “I did not think you would come today to be honest. Do you miss my company that much that?” I said.

“Not at all! I here to look for a future misses.” Grayson smiled. I knew he was kidding; none of these women were his type.

“I thought you were busy with the last of the shifter approval process.” I stated.

Grayson stretch in the chair. “That was over earlier. I am here to celebrate your big business in the human world.”

He reached on the side of his chair to the table stand between us. There were two empty glasses and a bottle resting there. Grayson grabbed the two glasses of scotch and handed one to me.

“Cheers---” we touched rocs glasses. I looked at my brother in arms. We had grew up together and I knew that I could always talked to him. He was my most trusted confidant.

Grayson took a gulp, “Smooth. So are there any actresses you are rutting--I mean looking for?” He joked.

“Knock it off.” I warned him. I never mixed business with pleasure. I refused to let my guard down around any female human.

'Don't be so touchy, boss. You know that I mean well.” Grayson told me as he took another gulp.

I looked down at the stage. Even though I was not focused or looking for her, my thoughts instantly went to that woman. She had not performed yet.

The last time we talked, I knew I went to far. I called her a child for asking for my help or anyone's help. I tried to back pedal and apologize but my wolf would not let me.

I had gone too far with trying to explain the works of the industry. But I knew that becoming an actress required certain qualifications.

In particular, stress resistance and problem-solving skills are required. Many big-name directors have weird tempers, and new actors have to overcome countless obstacles if they want to get ahead.

It was more to this than just being a pretty face and being able to act. If Ava was going to make it no one was going to hold her hand and coddle her.

Grayson stood up and leaned forward against the rails. “Let's take a closer look.”

Five performances later, Grayson was yawning. In total there were 15 actresses that we had seen and he was falling asleep. I knew that even myself was getting tired. I had been working overtime nonstop. So had Grayson.

Between the recent shifter whereabouts leading to an investigation and keeping this competition I was surprise that I could keep my eyes open.

But I had an obligation to this endeavor. However Grayson had fallen asleep from the round clock hours. I decided not to wake my best friend.

The performances were good, but--there was no bright light. Nothing stood out to me, and I know that if I did not see anything unique the judges below felt the same.

There was nothing that shined. I shook my head in silence. That was when they announced her. Even the sound of hear name sound like a knife through the tense in the air.

“New and upcoming to the stage --Ava.” There was not much for the announcer to work with. But that did not matter to the judges. They were in an uproar.

“She even designed the opening action herself!”
“What kind of clothes is she wearing?”
“That is a design that I can get behind!”
“It bold, brilliant!”

I could not believe that she pulled that off. She looked special, she was gorgeous. I had always knew she was beautiful but in this outfit she looked like an angel dawning a flame where she walked.

It was no basic bitch design or cookie cutter costume, but something that that I had never seen before. And from the judges reactions neither had they. The way she moved across the stage everything fit the character she portrayed to the decimal.

The way she looked at the camera was as if she was looking at all of us. She looked at everyone around her as if we were her lovers. She demanded devotion and worship from not only the cameras in front of her but us as well.

The other contestants were also whispering, looking at Ava with unwillingness and jealousy in their eyes.

"Where did this woman come from?"

"What's her background?!"

“Whoa! Look at everyone's reaction, looks like we have a champion amongst the sheep.” I looked over to see Grayson staring at the final contestant. I did not know that he had woken up.

I sat there silent for a moment.

“So what do you say boss,” my lieutenant stated. I stood up and made my way to the exit that lead to the downstairs. Before I left I answered him.

“You stay here, I am going to go present the awards.”

For some reason I was smiling.