Chapter 41: The Hottest Thing Since Sliced BreadInterior, Earl's Diner, Temperance, South Dakota... Layla sighed as she ventured back into the diner and proceeded to get herself ready to face the seemingly never-ending crowd of people that had come in for a bite to eat no matter the time of day or the type of weather. Derrick made his way over toward her at the bar with a big grin filed across his face as he had been among the few who had guessed what she'd been doing on her break once Brick saw his way to venturing outside for a few minutes. The old timers Rooster and Gunther had been among the remnant who had guessed what their illustrious leader had been up to when he had gone out telling the group that he needed some air after chugging down the last of his beer and swiping another piece of pie before his exit. Layla rolled her eyes as she took note of Derrick and his smug expression. She knew she would never get to have any sort of pretend normalcy with him hovering around

Chapter 43: Creek Fishing In The DarkThe Bustop, Temperance, South Dakota... Rumbling from the engine of Brick's motorcycle filled the newly freed Layla Quinn's ears as she headed toward the sound following the conclusion of her shift at Earl's Diner. She had managed to get through the whole day amid questions from Derrick and chatter from Phoebe about her dates with Art Carrey. While Layla had been happy for her friend, she was more interested in her plans for when work had concluded and she'd found herself alone with Brick Kenneally once again. He sat on top of his bike with something of a wicked smirk as she managed to reach him without prying eyes or a tail in the form of her best friend who had been more than interested in her union with the older ruggedly handsome man. He'd been a welcome sight, all things considered, and once she very much looked forward to all day despite the packed diner and the constant scrubbing of dishes."Well, ain't you a looker?" said Brick in his

Chapter 45: A Beautiful MessOpen Road, Temperance, South Dakota... The wind beating against Brick's body and making his cut flap in the distance had been quite the sight as the leather-clad brute of a man made his way down various winding roads as he took his leave of Layla's family home. He couldn't hide the smile filed across his ruggedly handsome and bearded face as he thought back to the past few hours when he'd been on the road with the young waitress and how she clung to him. He'd even liked when she had her hair all over her head. The rugged biker found himself leaning more and more into the notion that the old timers had been right about him, and the issue with imprinting. Layla had been unlike anyone he'd ever known and she had yet to even go out and experience the world for herself. Crossing state lines had been something he'd done the moment he was able to hit the road. His quest to see as much of the country he'd shipped off to defend was what had initially driven h

Chapter 47: The Short Ride Of Steel CowboysEarl's Diner, Temperance, South Dakota... True to form, old man Gunner and Rooster were already sitting at the front counter and discussing their upcoming travel plans. Taz and Goldie were getting a bit hot and heavy in the back and Art had finished inspecting the bikes and determining their condition for the road trip, despite being a short way from Temperance. He'd been of the mind to be better safe than sorry and for once Brick was inclined to agree with him. Ironclad had been ensuring the boys didn't get into too much trouble while their President had been away. Brick walked up to the counter and ordered a beer settling his nerves to ready himself for the trip ahead. Gunner seemed to be the first to notice the rather serious expression on the younger werewolf's face as he downed the beer quickly and called for the attention of his boys, Goldie included. The rowdy bunch had instinctively turned their attention to the matters at hand

Chapter 49: So Much For BoundariesForest Lake High School, Temperance, South Dakota... Once more Layla Quinn found herself distracted as school had finally let out for the evening and her thoughts made their way back to her last afternoon with Brick Kenneally before his most recent departure on assignment for Sheriff Tillman. Derrick was of the mind to give her odd looks and smiled at her every chance he got as he pretended to fan himself with his hand and mouthed the words about recalling everything he walked in on at her place. Layla narrowed her eyes at him as she knew he couldn't hold water and was eager to tell both Amy and Casey about what went on between her and Brick. She dreaded their input as they had also been of the mind to tease her about her newfound affection for "the big bad biker man", as Amy called him beforehand. "So," said Amy rushing toward Layla with a big wide grin filed across her pale face. "What's the latest on your biker man?"Layla's cheeks turned re