Though the police dogs remained firm and stone still, all the pets watched with wide eyes as the starving wolves attacked the food. They nipped one another’s sides, clawing and fighting their way into the pile of kibble with snarls and growls. Sharp teeth flashed, and their yellow eyes seemed to glow in the dark. Only Dolph, as pack leader, ate without being bothered.

Then, it was over. Satiated, the wolves fell back, leaving nothing behind but the shredded remnants of the kibble bag.

“That’s it,” Julep barked. “You’re done. We will escort you back to the woods.”

Huffing, their eyes still frenzied, the wolves formed a line. All except Dolph.

The wolf leader limped toward the driveway, his pale eyes narrowed. As he reached the circle, two of the police dogs blocked his way.

“Max,” Dolph snarled. “I must speak to Max.”

“You heard Julep,” one of the dogs barked. “Back in line.”

“It’s fine,” Max said. “I’ll speak with him.”

From the sidewalk, Julep nodded, and the police dogs parted to let Max through, Rocky and Gizmo behind him.

“Is your pack well fed?” Max asked.

Dolph ignored the question. “We are not done,” he said.

Max shook his head, certain he’d misheard. After he’d made sure the wolves wouldn’t go hungry, he at least expected a thank-you.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Max said.

Dolph barked, “Yes, you do, mutt. We have unfinished business. We will leave now, but I will not stop my pursuit of you.”

“That’s not fair!” Gizmo barked at Dolph. “We helped you! Why won’t you leave us alone?”

Dolph glared at her but said nothing.

Rocky gently nudged Gizmo’s side. “They’re wolves,” the Dachshund said. “I told you, we can’t trust them.”

Growling, Dolph met Max’s eyes. “I am not unreasonable. We will leave this town alone, since they gave us food. We have no quarrel with them. You also helped me feed, and though it does not erase your past misdeeds, it is enough that I will give you a day’s head start—beginning at dawn.”

The wolf put out a paw, but the police dogs moved in, and he pulled back.

“You’d better leave this place first thing in the morning, Max,” Dolph said. “Once our strength is regained and we can feed ourselves in the natural way, we will come for you, stronger and faster than before.”

Max trembled. His heart pounded.

Just as finding Dr. Lynn hadn’t ended his journey, this small truce hadn’t ended the wolf’s crusade against him. Dolph was unrelenting. No matter what he went through, he always got back on his feet and continued his quest to destroy Max.

Max could have roared at the wolf leader or tried to fight him and catch him off guard. Instead, he said, “All right, Dolph. Just as long as we have your word you’ll leave this town alone.”

“You have it,” Dolph spat.

The wolf leader turned and limped back to his pack. As the police dogs lined up to escort the wolves to the trees, Dolph’s voice rang out. “See you soon, Max,” he cried. “See you very, very soon.”