The Wolf Worlds is the second book in Chris Bunch

Chris Bunch

Christopher R. "Chris" Bunch was an American science fiction, fantasy and television writer, who wrote and co-wrote about thirty novels....

 and Allan Cole

Allan Cole

Allan Cole is an American author and television writer, who has written or co-written nearly thirty books.The son of a CIA operative, Cole was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East...

's The Sten Adventures.

Plot summary

The Eternal Emperor needed the Lupus Cluster, otherwise known as the Wolf Worlds, brought under control. The cult of Talemein has gotten out of hand. One sect, called the Jannisars, have taken to piracy to acquire money and ships, and ruthlessly kill any captives who do not immediately and fervently convert. Since the Emperor himself had gifted the worlds to the young soldier Talemein a few thousand years before, he was understandably displeased. This mission could not be officially sanctioned by the Emperor.
Sten and his sidekick, Alex Kilgour take on the Jannisars, with the help of the Lupus cluster's only native inhabitants, the Bohr.
Then Sten and his team, Mantis Team 13, get the cluster under control. This is an amazing feat considering the team consists of two women, two men, two half-sentient mutant tigers, and an Altarian resembling a very grumpy, carnivorous teddy bear.

This book introduces the Bhor, a race of knuckle dragging Neanderthals, that, when they're not tearing their competitors in half the long way, they're doing the same to their competitor's bank accounts.
Being militant and violent beings, they develop a great friendship with Sten and Alex Kilgore.