I couldn't stop the images of Bernard playing out in my mind, like an unwanted horror movie I just couldn't look away from. No matter how fast my paws carried me I couldn't outrun them, but that didn't stop me from trying.

The only consolation being how good it felt, freeing even, to be able to run at my full speed, and thanks to Havers I could. The dull aching from him resetting my bone was all but gone. At the rate I was going, I would be at least fifteen minutes early to meet Alpha Davidson, but I couldn't bring myself to slow down.

As I reached the border, I was surprised to see Davidson already waiting for me. He stood rigid, his back to me. I could practically feel the tension rolling off of him in waves. Could he possibly have known what I was about to tell him?

Without warning, Davidson whipped around to face me, just as I finished shifting. His angry expression had me taken aback but just as quickly as it appeared it vanished, replaced by the calm, neutral demeanor I come to expect from the older man.

"Logan, I wasn't expecting you so soon. How have you been?" he asked as if me calling him to meet were an everyday occurrence.

"Uhh..." I had no idea how to respond. Was it possible he didn't know of the situation that had just taken place between Silent River and Crescent Moon? That wasn't possible, was it? "I'm sorry I called you out here, but I feel there are certain matters that should be discussed in person."

Davidson's face hardened a little, his eyes boring into my own. My wolf began to become uneasy. He must have felt challenged. He had been very on guard lately. Honestly, it was becoming somewhat annoying.

"O-kay..." he replied after a slight pause. "And what might this matter entail?" His formalness was really throwing me off. I was regretting doing this face to face now, even if it was the right thing to do.

"I don't know how to say it without being blunt. Some of my men found your beta near our border yesterday."

Davidson's eyebrows shot up. Apparently, he was as stumped as I was as to why Bernard would be in that area. I took a moment to breathe and to figure out how to word my next sentence, but it didn't help.

"Jeffrey, he's dead," I finally got out.

"Dead? He was dead when they found him?" he asked. How he was able to remain unruffled was beyond me. I wouldn't have thought his beta's death bothered him at all if it hadn't been for the slight quiver in his voice.

"No, he was alive but just barely. But his heart gave out, and the doctor wasn't able to resuscitate him," I somberly informed him. The older alpha averted his eyes from my face before completely turning his back to me. Before today I was sure that Bernard and Davidson hadn't shared the close friendship I had with Griffin, but I must have been wrong. This must have been killing him.

"I am so sorry for your loss, and if there is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to ask," I wanted to shoot myself in the foot as soon as the words left my mouth. That had been the same crap everyone had spouted at me after Olivia's death, but what else could someone say? There was no handbook on how to comfort those who lost someone they cared for. Everything seemed to fall short.

"Thank you," he responded still not facing me. "I will arrange for a few of my men to pick up his body before the day's end." And with that, he began to walk off.

As I stood there watching my friend leave to inform his pack of the loss of their beta, I could help but think of all the death that had taken place over the last few days. There had been so much destruction and for what?

"Blackwell," Davidson called bringing me out of my thoughts. "Did he say anything before he died?" he questioned.

"No, he was in pretty bad shape. I don't think he ever regained consciousness."

Without responding, he shifted and took off towards his pack. I could only hope that Shadow Run would be able to bounce back. With that last thought I shifted and was about to begin the short run back home, but a weak scent caught my attention. I stood there trying to place the scent when the familiar sound of paws thumping against the forest floor began to come from the same direction.

It didn't take long for the source of the sound to reach my location. I stared at the wolf as he came to an abrupt stop mere feet from where I stood. Rogue, my wolf, growled, and I had no doubt he was right.

What caught me as off was the confused look on the black wolf's face. Did he really think he could run through pack territory and not come across another wolf? Before I even had the chance to let out a warning the rogue turned tail and ran. For a moment I considering chasing him down, but with my link working properly it wasn't the wisest idea.

Instead, I turned toward the medical building. I wanted to check on Griffin. After having to tell Davidson about his beta, I felt the overwhelming need to check on my own. Also, I would need to make Asher aware of rogue sighting, and I was sure he would be there either updating Griffin on everything that was happening or checking on our injured pack members. As I ran home, I couldn't help but wonder if we would ever have a moment of peace.

******Author's Note*********

I just wanted to let you guys know I haven't forgotten about you or this story, but writer's block can be a mighty foe. But I think I finally managed to overcome it. I would just like to thank everyone who has stuck with Fractured. Well, I am off to try to write a new chapter of Departed (Book 2 of the Silent River Series) Have a great weekend.