Walking up to Asher's room in the medical building, I couldn't help but remember the last time I was here. It had been Izzy in this exact room. Part of me couldn't help but briefly think how glad I was that it hadn't been her involved in the fight as I had originally thought. Before I could open the door, Doc Havers stopped me.

"Alpha," he called out. "Can I speak to you for just a moment?" I looked at the room that held my injured friend for a bit longer, before turning and acknowledging the doctor.

"Uh, yeah. What can I do for you?"

"Griffin mentioned to me earlier that he saw you take a nasty hit to the head," he started. Did that jerk really just snitch on me? "I would like to give you a quick examine just to make sure nothing is wrong," he finished.

"Yeah, it wasn't as bad as Griffin made it out to be. I am fine, really," I tried to reassure the doctor.

"That may be, but I would feel better if you allowed me to take a look. As you know, brain injuries like broken bones and internal injuries don't heal as quickly as cuts and other abrasions." I was about to protest, but Havers next words killed any protest I might have made.

"An injured alpha is an injured pack. With the threats, this pack is facing, don't you want to be at your best to handle it?" With a very unalpha like huff, I conceded and trudged behind Havers into a nearby exam room.

Sitting on the cold exam table waiting for Doc Havers to get whatever he needed, I realized how badly my head ached. My vision was fine now, but the throbbing behind my eyes was relatively painful.

"Okay, so I see from your file, you have had a history of head injuries, correct?" He asked as he re-enter the room, not even bothering to look up from the file in his hands.

"Not head injuries really... I had one minor concussion two years ago, and a small skull fracture about three years before that," I replied trying to downplay it a bit.

"Twenty-two stitches to the head does not sound like a small fracture," He said giving me an annoyed look. The way he peered at me over his thick rimmed glasses reminded me of how my grandfather would look at me whenever he caught me in a lie. "I need you to look forward and follow the light with your eyes," He instructed. This task was much harder than I had expected. The bright light stung my eyes, causing me to squint. When I looked to the right, a sharp pain caused me to grab my head.

"Hmm," was Havers only response as he jotted down some notes into my file. I didn't like the sound of that hmm but didn't say anything. "I am going to try to fit in you for a CT scan just to make sure there is no swelling in the brain and depending on the results maybe an MRI to see if there is any bleeding," he concluded.

"It seriously isn't necessary. It's just a little headache. I am sure after a good night sleep it will go away," I lied.

"Look, Logan, let me be honest with you. I am about ninety-eight percent sure you have a pretty severe concussion, and possibly some swelling in the brain. I need to figure out the severity of the injury so I can treat it before you have any lasting damage." The fact that he addressed me as Logan and not alpha told me he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"Okay, just let me know when." I gave in. "I'm gonna check on Asher," I informed him as I made my exit.

This time, I didn't hesitate to open the door to his room. Seeing him lying there lifeless caused an emotion I had become quite accustomed to, grief. I felt like I was losing control of my pack, and myself. I wondered if maybe I was wrong for not just giving in to Alpha Phillips' demands. It wasn't the worst option in the world. Phillip had a strong pack, and he would protect this pack if I promised it to his unborn son, probably better than I was doing now.

The sound of machines brought me back to my current worry, Asher. The whooshing of the ventilator and beeping of the heart monitor made my heart sink. His face no longer had cuts and scratches covering it, but the purplish blue bruises and swelling around his eyes and lip were still very evident. I hedged closer to the foot of his bed scared to get too close. It was hard seeing my close friend in such a bad way. I wanted to say something, anything that might goad him to wake up. What I wouldn't give to have him point out how irrational I was being for even considering relinquishing my pack to Crescent Moon, to tell me to stop being so stupid.

"I am sorry," I said not sure what else to say.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," a voice said from behind me.

"Tiffany, I hadn't realized you were here," I said seeing her emerge from the bathroom.

"Where else would I be?" She replied giving me a weak smile. She sauntered over to the chair next to Asher's bedside, placing her hand on his.

"How is he doing?" I asked looking him over once more. She let out a tired sigh and stared longingly at her mate's face.

"Better," She said. "He is slowly healing, but he has a punctured lung and several fractured ribs. Dr. Havers thinks he should wake up in the next day or so." I didn't miss the tears gathering in her eyes. She was worried about him, but she was trying to be strong for him.

"I promise you, we will get the wolf responsible for these attacks," I told her confidently even though I lacked the confidence my words held. She glanced up at me; her eyes held a fierce look in them.

"I know you will," She answered before focusing her attention back on Asher. I silently left the room giving the two their privacy and headed towards the holding cells. Maybe there was something Brandon wasn't telling me.

Walking into the holding cells, Brandon looked more tired than when I had last been here. The dark circles around his eyes and the way his shoulders sagged told of how his time in the cells weighed on him.

"Brandon," I greeted with a nod. He stared up at me before slumping back into his seat.

"Alpha," he responded. "To what do, I owe the pleasure?" I took the seat in front of him, taking amount to decide my next words.

"First I thought I should inform you that your son was involved in an attack today," I said trying to study his reaction. He immediately sat up straighter, a concerned look on his face.

"Is he ok?"

"He was injured, but he will be fine," I answered. Brandon heaved a sigh of relief. "But he could have been easily killed had it not been for Asher. Look, I am going to be straightforward with you. I think it was an ambush meant to silence you. The question is why would they go to such lengths to get rid of you if you don't know anything?" The color drained from his face as he fidgeted with his hands. That must have been where Ryan got the habit from.

"I swear I don't know anything," he started. "Not really."

"The guy you spoke with, the one who offered you and your family a place in his pack, was he an alpha?" Brandon shook his head vehemently.

"No, but he did say he had his alpha's permission to do so."

"So he was following his alpha's orders?" I questioned. He seemed to think on this for a moment.

"Yeah, it appeared that way."

"And you don't know who he was or what pack he might belong to?" Again he shook his head.

"No, I didn't recognize him, and there were no names mentioned. I don't think he was entirely sure of whether or not he could trust me."

"Can I trust you?" Brandon looked up at me confused like maybe he hadn't heard me right. "Can I?" I asked again raising my voice a notch.

"Ye-- Yeah," He stuttered. "I realize now that it might be hard to believe, but I do love my pack." He paused for a long moment. "I just wanted to do what I thought was best for my family. I didn't think anyone would get hurt. I swear it."

I knew, I had no reason to believe him, but with the sincerity in his words and the pleading in his eyes, my gut told me he was being honest. Running my hand through my hair, I tried to think about what the best course of action would be. The throbbing in my head hadn't subsided, and this situation wasn't helping it any.

"You understand that I can't exactly just let you go, right?" He frowned but still nodded his head. "But I will allow you visitation rights with your family." His frown quickly morphed into a smile.

"Really?" He asked with excitement in his voice.

"Yes, but I must warn you. Your son doesn't know what you did though he may suspect it. Just don't make me regret this decision." I said firmly.

"You won't, I promise. Thank you, alpha. Thank you." I shook his hand and left the room. On my way out I approached a guard to inform him of the changes made to Brandon's restrictions.

Brandon's words only confirmed my suspicions. It had to be Alpha Phillips behind this, but this knowledge didn't help me any. I still had no clue how to stop him. The only option seemed to be war, a war we were sure to lose.

~~~~~~~Author's Note~~~~~~~

Because it is Thanksgiving tomorrow, I thought what better way to show you guy how thankful I am for all your support than to post a seconded chapter this week. Thanks again guys and have a great holiday weekend!

Do you think Logan made the decision trusting Brandon?

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