“There it is,” Duke said, driving into the industrial complex.

He followed the navigation system’s instructions to a solitary building at the rear. A small wooden sign swung in the breeze, proclaiming its name: Penwell’s Peculiars.

“Interior lights are on, so somebody must be inside.”

“Let’s hope the third time is the charm. Take a loop around the building.”

Brick’s stomach growled, disturbing the silence.

“Seriously? You’re hungry again? What’s up with you, man?”

“I can’t help it!”

“Want me to turn around and go back?”

Brick scanned the parking lot.

“It doesn’t look like many cars are here, so why not?”

Duke made a U-turn.

“Wait.”

“Huh?”

“Maybe just leave me here, while you go get our food.”

“Okay. I’m not hungry, but I’ll get something for you.”

“You’re not? All you ate was that liver and barely any of the meat that I left for you.”

“It was chewy.”

Brick sighed at his beta’s complaint, signaled for him to stop the car, and got out.

“I’m gonna walk around and get the lay of the land.”

Duke gave him a ‘thumbs up’ and said, “Knock yourself out, Alpha. Be right back.”

As Duke drove away, Brick approached the red masonry building. Another strong breeze blew by, rustling his hair and swinging the sign that hung above the door of the establishment. Sniffing the air, Brick could smell the electricity in the atmosphere.

A storm was approaching.

Then he stopped walking, when another fragrance met his nose.

Is that… magnolia?

Magnolias were not native to that part of the country, and he hadn’t noticed any of them when they arrived. He scanned the landscape for an indication that his wolf wasn’t being misled by such a sweet scent.

Must be something coming from inside the business.

Rounding the corner to the rear of the building, the odor of lemon mixed with cream slammed into him with a force that knocked him back on his heels.

A vision of a woman’s thighs spreading entered his mind. Her legs rubbed together and then parted, giving him a view of those glistening lips, as they opened to expose her succulent flesh. His mouth watered, as her pussy was revealed to his mind.

Shaking his head to clear the image, he made his way to the opposite side and then completed the route to be in the front.

The entrance seemed to pulse with his heartbeat. The ironwork trailed down the stairs, starting wide and then narrowing at the top, mirroring the legs he’d imagined moments earlier.

His insides clenched, and he doubled over in pain, suddenly famished as if he hadn’t had a meal in days.

Brakes screeched behind him.

“Brick!” Duke shouted through his opened window, as he put the Hummer into Park and jumped out. “What happened? Were you attacked? Are you hurt? Make the shift to heal!”

“I’m fine,” Brick moaned. “Acid reflux, I think.”

“What? We don’t get that shit.”

“I know, but my stomach is in knots. I think it was that fucking Angus or the deer messing with me.” Brick dropped to sit on the ground. “Where’s the food?”

“Here.” Duke tossed Brick the bag, and he caught it. “A triple stack, fries, and a Coke.”

“Thanks,” Brick said, before sinking his teeth into the burger.

Cheese, ketchup, and mustard oozed out the sides of his mouth, and he swiped the back of his hand over his lips and then licked it clean. He glanced up to see Duke staring at him.

“What?” Brick asked, as he swallowed.

“Nothing.”

Brick stuffed the last of the burger into his mouth and said, “That hit the spot.”

“Ready to go inside?”

Duke held his hand out. Brick grasped it, and Duke yanked him up to standing.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

As they went up, the stairs creaked, but then Brick stopped, his hands lingering on the swirled railing.

“Are you okay?”

“Huh?”

“What’s up with you?”

“Nothing.” Brick coughed. “I was admiring the welds.”

“Okay, well, I don’t know what your deal is tonight, my alpha, but,” Duke said, opening the door, “pull it together.”

“I...”

Brick’s head jerked up, eyes pinned on the center aisle, as he clomped with heavy steps towards the back.

A female was working on her laptop on a high seat behind a raised counter of intricately designed antique wood stained in black and glossed enamel. She was typing, engrossed in whatever she was working on, while her fingers raced across the keyboard. Her bob was covering part of her face, as her gaze switched from the screen to some papers at her side and then back.

As he jogged behind Brick’s fast steps, Duke whispered loudly, “What the fuck is happening? Do you see the book?”

His alpha said nothing in reply and continued walking with a single-minded intensity straight ahead, while the clerk kept tapping the keys. They arrived at the registry, and after waiting a moment for her to notice him, Brick rapped on the wood with his fist, his eyes fixed on her.

Yanking the pink ear buds out, she turned towards him.

Her voice was tired and weary, as she said, “Welcome to Penwell’s Peculiars.” She sighed and tossed them onto the desk. “Is there something I can help you with?”

He had found the source of the scent of magnolia.

“Yeah,” Brick rumbled, staring her straight in the eyes. “Get naked and get on me.”