Dire Wolves were common predators on the grasslands. They were accustomed to hunting in packs, and even after being tamed by Orcs, they instinctively retained those habits.
When a male wolf caught the scent of one of its kind and immediately recognized her as a healthy, strong female, it recalled the female pack beast it had seen during the day. Though it had only been able to stare at her a few extra times under its master's control, now that their masters were resting, it followed the scent, gradually moving farther and farther from the camp.
The other Dire Wolf mounts were drawn by its actions as well and all rushed over to see what they might find.
They unknowingly arrived at the spot where Dranosh had buried the doctored jerky. As they drew closer, their keen noses caught the scent of the dried meat. The pack immediately perked up, and some of the more agile wolves began digging, trying to find the source of the smell.
Sure enough, the small buried pieces of jerky were quickly dug up, and the Dire Wolves eagerly swallowed them. Food was so precious, and their fellow wolves were eyeing it greedily. If they did not get it into their bellies quickly, they would not even get a scrap later.
The few pieces of jerky were soon fought over and devoured by several Dire Wolves. Because they ate so quickly, they did not chew the small pieces at all, swallowing them whole instead. Some of the steel needles pricked their mouths and throats, but they paid no attention, assuming they had merely swallowed small stones from the dirt while eating too fast.
But that was what killed them. The steel needles hidden in the meat began piercing their throats and stomachs as they digested