Aftermath

"Emma! Thank you!" Malcolm said as he turned and saw her. He had to hug her. "We need to check on the others. Have you seen Val or Adam?" They were headed back to the building after Malcolm took the dead vampire's head. It felt good.

"I helped Val. He's pretty hurt but Adam was helping him. They are healing and they're alive. I pulled them to safety. Skyler?" Emma only caught the last of what was happening.

"Dead." Malcolm didn't explain because when they walked in, Aspen was charging Emma. "No!"

Cash tackled their dad to the floor. "That is Emma. She's safe. She's with us. She's with us, Dad." He looked at Emma. She was alive! He was laying on his dad to hold him down.

"That is a vampire!" Aspen glared at Cash.

"We know and we're not killing her." Cash was forceful. He stood. His dad wasn't going to like this. "She's a hunter, Dad. This is Emma." He stood in front of her.

"What?" Aspen wasn't happy.

The big bad wolf walked over and stood in front of Emma and growled at Aspen. It was a warning. "Dad. I wouldn't do anything to hurt Emma, if I was you. Byron is Emma's uncle." Malcolm commented.

Malcolm smiled at Byron's wolf. He bumped Malcolm with his head. Malcolm touched his side. The contact was wonderful and the wolf agreed.

Aspen stared at the Alpha. "This is Byron McIntyre?"

"Yes. Byron, my dad, Aspen." Malcolm cleared his throat.

"Cool. I have heard a ton about you through the years. I'm sorry. I didn't know that Emma was your family." Aspen couldn't take his eyes off the alpha, the legend. This was Byron McIntyre! The Byron McIntyre!

Aspen put the sword away after Cash let him stand. Aspen was staring at the silver werewolf. He was massive. Aspen had just arrived and had no idea who the man was or the wolf, when he changed. Aspen had no information. This was the legend! Holy hunters! He did not disappoint.

Malcolm made sure the wolf was okay and walked over and sat beside Tucker. Everything seemed to settle down. He felt that Byron was safe and he needed to talk to Tucker. "I'm sorry."

Tucker nodded. He didn't say anything. Malcolm just sat beside him without a word. They were both in tears. Malcolm cried for his brother. Cash sat on his other side and the men huddled together in tears.

Tucker was grateful for his brothers. Aspen stood by and stared. Byron growled and nuzzled Malcolm. He felt bad also but he had to check on his men and get them home. Malcolm looked up and nodded.

"I'll find you." Malcolm nodded at his mate. The wolf whined and walked out the door to check on Val and Adam. They both had pretty bad wounds. They fought hard and they were tough but outnumbered and taken by surprise. It's not in their nature to fight the Beta.

Byron shifted and helped his people to one of the SUVs and he drove them home. He knew that Malcolm would find him when they were back. He felt bad for Tucker and the family needed time alone.

Malcolm got everyone to the second SUV and hotwired it. Cash was curious how he knew how to do that. Aspen was also. Tucker was beside himself and he was holding Trish's body. She was wrapped in a tarp, it was the best they could find. Tucker didn't take his eyes off her face the whole drive.

"She wouldn't have wanted to be a vampire." Cash stated.

Tucker nodded. "I know. She killed herself, Cash. I couldn't stop her."

"I saw and I'm sorry. She was wonderful." Cash whispered.

"I know. She was a pain in the ass sometimes!" Tucker laughed and wiped his face. More tears fell. "I am going to give her a wonderful funeral."

"Son." Aspen was going to try not to sound heartless. "Try to lose yourself to this. The grief is consuming at times but you must move on." Aspen knew this loss. "She would never want you to be sad forever. You will always love her and miss her but don't drown in it. Grieve and move past it. Please." He couldn't lose his son to this. He knew it was possible.

Tucker nodded. "I know. Just...I know."

Malcolm just drove the car. He had nothing to say to his brother. He was sorry but there was nothing to say. He watched Tucker from the mirror through his tears. Tucker looked up at the mirror and smiled at Malcolm as he wiped tears.

"Thanks for your support, Malcolm. I know you don't approve of marriage but I appreciate that you are here."

"I am here for you, Tucker. Always. Anytime and I approve of marriage for other people, Tucker. You two were cute. She could've done better!" Malcolm winked.

Tucker laughed. "I know that!"

"You were a great husband. If I ever got married, I would ask you for advice." Malcolm smiled and shook his head. They had a lot to fill Aspen in on.

"Thanks." Tucker nodded and looked back at Trish. He memorized her face on the drive. He had to say goodbye and that was going to be tough.

"We are in this shit together. You know that, Tucker?" Cash smiled a sad smile.

Tucker nodded. "I know."

"We have all lost. All of us. You aren't alone." Cash looked at his brother. "Do you hear me?"

Tucker looked up. "I hear you, Cash. Thanks." He looked back to Trish and was silent the rest of the drive.