Redhawk Caldera the body

"He's gone. In his sleep."

Fox's explanation rang in Elwood's ears. He struggled to process it -- he simply couldn't imagine Redhawk Caldera without its swarthy Alpha male. Peregrine had recruited him to the pack nearly two years ago, and in that time had become one of Elwood's closest friends. They were family; he was godfather to Wildfire, Nightjar, and Raven, and the most recent batch of firebirds were essentially cousins to his own children.

He took a deep breath, steadying himself as Gannet and Whip processed the death of their father. He had his own emotions to sort through, but reality slapped him in the face: this left the caldera with only two leaders, and one of them was bereft and grieving. He had always thought of himself as Peregrine's second-in-command, but now it was time to fill that role for Fox. There were a million things he would need to do to secure the borders and make sure that Fox and her children were provided for in Peregrine's stead -- but at present, there was one daunting task drawing his attention.

Elwood shifted towards the grave and began to dig, dutifully churning up the earth while Fox presumably comforted her sons.