Once they were back in their motel room, Brick fired up his laptop and connected to the Wi-Fi.

Holding his stomach, Duke groaned, “That was the worst steak I’ve ever eaten. I really might throw up later.”

“It was pretty bad, but we’ll take a run in the woods. I’ve got a feeling we’re going to need to burn off some energy once we learn what happened to Carla. There’re deer in these parts.”

“Thank God.”

After signing onto the Cross Plains’ website, Brick clicked the video chat option. When it popped, Rex was waiting on the line.

“Alpha, I located what you requested, and it’s in your inbox. I’m in the process of researching the perpetrators, but my gut instinct is that they are former TMD.”

“Those insane fuckers at it again?”

“It appears so, sir.”

“Let us know when you have more information.”

“Will do.”

Brick clicked out of the message and opened his inbox.

“Ready to watch this shit?”

“Yeah, let’s get it over with.”

While the security footage rolled, they watched in silence as the doorbell rang, and Carla’s voice called out. She came into view dressed to the nines.

“Back so soon, you, studs? I was headed to find you again. I’m ready for round two!”

Duke murmured, “She thought it was us.”

Brick nodded, his attention not wavering from the screen, as she went to the front door, opened it, and then jumped back.

“Hands in the air! Where the fuck is it?”

“I-I-I don’t know what you’re talking about! Where is what?”

“Braxton’s book!”

Brick growled, “Rex is right. It’s the fucking TMD. Look at the patches on their uniforms.”

“Why don’t they just search the house and leave?”

“The kid was trying to help her, at least.”

One of the men backhanded Carla, knocking her to the granite floor, and then an animalistic roar erupted from Brick and Duke.

“They’re dead when I get my jaws on them,” Brick bellowed.

Moments later, a gun blasted, and Carla was no more.

Jerking his hair through his fingers, holding it back, Duke yelled, “Holy shit! They blew her fucking head off! Who the fuck does that?”

“The same motherfuckers who ripped the wolf’s hide off of our brothers’ and sisters’ bodies to sell to others like them.”

“I gotta get outta here. My wolf is snarling to be set free.”

“Mine, too. Let’s go run.”

Brick closed the computer, and then he and Duke made their way into the woods behind the motel. After wandering deep into the brush and trees, they removed their clothes, tossed them onto the ground, and became their wolves.

Tearing through the forest, their paws landing in solid hard thumps, they sped over the land. In the distance, a few white-tailed deer were grazing. Upon hearing their hooves, Brick and Duke lowered to the dirt to study their prey, with their ears pinned forward.

Duke spoke to Brick through the link, “I hope they make us work for it before we take them down.”

One of the deer lifted its head, sniffing the air. It huffed in warning to the others, and their ears twitched, listening for danger.

“And three… two… one!”

The four deer bounded off, and the two wolves rose from their crouch.

“After you, Alpha.”

Brick shot out from where he’d been lying in wait, propelling himself with his powerful muscles. His fur rippled in the breeze he created, as Duke yipped from behind, joining in the pursuit. Through the grasses, they drove the deer forward, but one stumbled, falling to the earth.

“Leave it,” Brick said, intent on taking down the largest of the grouping.

Then the does slowed to a trot, as they went behind a buck with a regal and prideful stance. It stomped the ground and blew hard through its nostrils upon seeing the two wolves, turning its head to display its many points extending from its antlers.

“What a rack!” Duke exclaimed in awe at the great animal in front of them.

“Mine.”

Brick didn’t slow his speed. Instead, he launched himself at the male. Through the air he flew, landing with his hind feet on the ground and his teeth embedded in the throat of the deer. It bellowed, as its blood began to pour out, while it tried to shake Brick off. But his hold was too tight, jaws too strong and wide, to allow it.

Duke jumped onto its back, sinking his teeth into its haunches, as it attempted to bore Brick with its horn. The buck reared back, lifting its head, his instinct only causing Brick’s teeth to rend its flesh further. It then faltered, before dropping to the ground, as the does took to their hooves, dashing away for safety.

It breathed in heaving breaths that lessened as the wolves watched. When it drew its last, Brick clamped onto its throat and ripped it out, dropping it to the ground, before he sank his teeth into its muscle and ground it between his jaws.

Duke had sat back, watching Brick devouring the beast, waiting to partake in the feast.

With a glance back to him, Brick yanked another chunk of meat into his mouth.

“Take the liver. Should settle your stomach.”

“Thank you, Alpha.”