A/N: Sorry for the long wait. Don't forget to review
~o~
Castiel waited by the car as John grabbed the rest of his things. He closed his eyes as a cool breeze brushed through his fur.
"Castiel," a firm voice said next to him.
Castiel's eyes shot open, and he turned to find Zachariah by his side.
"You have disobeyed us once again!"
Castiel tilted his head, "But Sir, Dean was in danger," he said.
Zachariah growled and snapped at Castiel, "It doesn't matter!" he snarled, "he is not to know about what you are! I've already had to erase his memory twice now!"
Castiel thought for a moment as he took a step away from the snow white wolf. He growled as he realized what had happened to Dean that night. "You…it was you in the alleyway that night!" he barked at his Alpha. "How dare you!" he let out a yelp as Zach bit his throat.
Zachariah forced Castiel to the ground. "Do not talk back to me!" he snarled, "your are to be obedient, and listen to your orders!"
Castiel whined as he felt teeth dig into his flesh, and a strong paw press into his side. He let out a high pitched whimper as he felt his ribs crack under the presser, "Yes sir."
"Castiel!" John yelled as he exited the room. He was terrified when he saw Castiel on the ground, and another wolf had its jaws around his neck.
Zachariah backed away from the wounded wolf. "Don't disobey us again Castiel, or I will drag you back to heaven for the new 'How to train you dog' course we have," he snickered before running off.
John ran over to Castiel, who was slowly getting to his paws. He knelt down, "Hey, hey easy there buddy," he said petting Castiel back as he fell back to the hard ground.
He whined and whimpered as he looked up at John. His eyes were pleading and desperate. Why was he in so much pain? He should have healed by now. This sent Castiel into a state of panic; was he really losing his grace?
John's frown deepened. "It'll be okay buddy," he said, "I know someone who will getcha patch up in no time." John put the rest of the bags in the car, not wanting to cause Cas pain until he was ready to go.
When John got back from returning the key, he saw a little girl sitting next to Castiel.
She scratched his head softly as he whined, "Don't cry, everything will be okay," she said trying to sooth the poor dog.
"Excuse me?" John said as he got closer. "Can I help you little girl?"
She smiled up at him, "Is this your doggie?" she asked.
John simply nodded as he looked down at her.
She looked back at Cas. "He seemed lonely, and he was crying," she said before looking back up at John. "I thought I'd come and be his friend," she chirped happily.
John laughed and crouched down. "Well that was very nice of you, and I think Castiel is thankful."
She giggled, "That's a funny name for a doggie."
John chuckled, "You think so? My son named him."
She smiled and was about to ask something when a women ran over to them.
"Katie!" The woman, who John guessed was her mother yelled, "What have I told you about running off!" She grabbed her daughter's hand and pulled her to her feet.
"I just wanted to pet the pretty doggie!" she cried.
The mother took one look at Castiel and gasped taking a step back.
John stood up. "No, its okay; he's perfectly harmless," he said. "He's friendly when you get to know him it's just... he's hurt right now."
Her frowned deepened, "What happened?" she asked.
John looked down at the wolf and sighed, "I don't really know," he said looking back up at her. "I came out of my room to find him on the ground with another wo…dog biting at his throat."
Her brow frowned in confusion. "But, he's a wolf," she said "He should have been able to kill it or at least fight it off."
John nodded, "Like I said, harmless," he sighed. "The only time I've ever seen him attack someone is if they tried and hurt my sons." He shook his head. "Look, it was nice meeting you, but I really need to get him to a vet," he said.
"Wait!" she said stepping forward. "A regular vet will just call to zoo."
"Oh, but can you help me?" he asked.
"She's the zoo doctor," Katie said, "she makes all the lions and bears feel better."
John smiled. "Oh my," he said causing the little girl to laugh. He looked up at her mother. "If you could help that would be great."
She nodded and knelt down next to Castiel, she went to touch he side, but he started to growl low in his throat. She tilted he head; she knew he wasn't threatening her, only warning. "Now is that anyway to treat the woman about to help you?" she asked. She put her hand near his nose so he could sniff her.
Castiel quickly took in the scent of the women. She smelt sweet, like some kind of ripe fruit. Castiel loved the smell and started to lick her palm.
She smiled, "Good." she said before slowly lifting his head to look at the bite marks. They weren't too bad, and the bleeding had stopped and was already clotting into his fur. She sighed and let his head go before checking his legs. When she pressed on his mid section he let out a yelp of pain, and shrank away from her.
John crouched down, "It's nothing serious, right?" he asked.
She frowned. "Nothing that won't heal," she said, "I need some supplies. Do you mind driving to the zoo?"
John looked at her with an uneasy look.
She sighed, "I have what I need there, and it's not that far away."
John looked at Cas and sighed, "Okay."
"Great, help me get him in the car," he said.
They carefully got Castiel in the car with him only making pained whimpers. John quickly drove to the town zoo while watching her out of the corner of his eye.
"I'm Danielle by the way," she said.
John wondered for a moment if he should tell her his real name, "John," he said quietly.
When they got to the zoo, they carefully took Castiel around the back and into her office.
"Lay him on the table," she said as she went to get supplies.
John put Castiel on the table.
Castiel didn't want to lie down anymore, so he stood there even though in brought him more pain.
John looked at him, "You'd feel better if you lay down," he said.
Danielle walked back in, "Can you go watch my daughter?" she asked.
John stood firmly in his place.
She rolled her eyes, "Seriously, I'm not going to hurt him. I'm just worried about my daughter," she said.
John hesitated before walking towards the door.
"Wait!" she called "What's his name?"
"Castiel," he said before leaving.
"Alright Castiel, let's get you patched up, " she said.
Castiel growled still not quite ready to trust her.
She crossed her arms, "Oh no you don't; you are sassing the wrong girl," she said gently patting his head, "Now stop growling before I get the mussel."
Castiel was quiet after that.
John sat outside with Katie as she rambled on about random things. He smiled at the memory of Dean at this age. He wondered how Dean was, if he was okay. Bobby did end the phone call abruptly last night, and it sounded like Dean was crying. What if Dean was hurt, or Sammy? He was broken from his worried thoughts by Castiel slowly making his way toward him.
John smiled, "Hey buddy," he said making it to his feet. "How ya' feeling?"
Castiel made a groaning sound.
"Here are some pain meds," Danielle said handing him a little orange bottle, "Give him one before breakfast and one at dinner."
John looked at the bottle. "Thank you, Danielle," he said with a smile.
She shrugged, "It's my job."
John smiled, "Do you need a ride home?" he asked.
She shook her head, "My husband is suppose to meet us here," she said.
John frowned, "Are you sure? I mean after everything you've done..."
She smiled, "We're fine really," she said. "Although can you answer a question for me?" she asked "How old is Castiel?"
John frowned "Six. Why?"
She frowned. "Because by the size of his body, and the condition he's in…he looks no older then three," she explained.
John nodded. "Yeah a lot of people said he doesn't look his age." He sighed, "Well I should hit the road. Thank you again," he said.
Castiel licked Katie's face, "Bye-bye doggie," she giggled.
John opened the door for Cas and helped him into the car.
~o~
Dean woke up to the smell of bacon and pancakes. He hummed tiredly as he sat up and stretched. He slowly made him way down stairs as he rubbed his eyes.
"'Bout time you got up," Bobby said placing the bacon on the table, "Eat up," he said walking over to the fridge.
Dean went to sit at the table, but he was almost knocked to the ground by Sam. He wrapped Dean in a tight hug. "I'm sorry about what I said," he whispered.
Dean smiled and hugged his six year old brother close. "I know, I know," he said and smiled, "Now come on, there's so much food," Dean said sitting at the table.
"Dad should be here any minute," Sam said.
Dean was bouncing in his seat. "Great!" he said with a mouth full of syrupy pancakes.
"Dean, don't talk with your mouth full," Bobby said sitting down with the boys.
Dean swallowed his food and smiled, "Sorry."
Bobby chuckle, "I bet you are."
Dean looked at his glass of milk then at Sammy's. "Bobby, can I show Sam how to make chocolate milk?" he asked "Please?"
Bobby thought for a moment, "You make a mess, you're cleaning it up." he said.
"Okay," Dean said smiling and got up to get the chocolate syrup.
As he walked back over Sam frowned, "But Dean I thought you said chocolate milk comes from brown cows."
Bobby started to chuckle.
Dean grinned. "It does but there's a special way to make it all by yourself," he said. He knelt on one of the chairs. "Watch," he said squeezing some chocolate into Sam's glass.
Sam watch but nothing happened, "Dean, nothing happened."
Dean smiled, "Just close your eyes," he said. "No peeking."
Sam closed his eyes as he was told. He heard what sounded like someone hitting a glass with a spoon, but he wasn't sure.
"Okay you can look," he said.
When Sam opened his eyes the milk in his and Dean's glasses was chocolaty. Sam looked at his brother in amazement, "Wow, how'd you do that?' he asked.
Dean's grin widened. "I'll teach you later. Try it, it's really good," he said taking a sip of his own.
Bobby smiled as the boys drank their milk, and quickly ate their food. He wondered how John was able to raise two sons while he hunted down whatever killed Mary.
They all jumped when they heard barking at the door. Dean grinned and jumped out of his chair running towards the door. He opened it hoping to see his father and Castiel, but he looked down to find a small wolf pup. He didn't look like Cas; his fur was a honey brown color.
Dean frowned at the sad look in the pups eyes, and the blood on its front paw. Dean knelt down, "Are you hurt little guy?" he asked putting his hand in front of the wolf's nose.
The pup whined before sniffing Dean's hand.
When the pup licked his hand Dean carefully pulled the pup into his arms and carried him into the house. He walked into the kitchen and looked at Bobby, "Bobby, I think he's hurt," he said.
Bobby and Sam looked at the pup in Dean's arms. Bobby stood up and slowly made his way over to Dean to look at the wolf pup.
Bobby sighed, "What's with wolves being attracted to your family?" he said taking the pup from Dean.
Sam followed Bobby into the study to watch him take care of the pup.
Sam brought a chair over to the table were Bobby was looking at the wolf's paw, so he could stand on it to see. He frowned at the small animal, "Is he okay?" he asked.
Bobby looked at the small boy. "Yeah. Looks like he might of cut his paw on something," he said "Watch him for a second," he said walking away.
Sam carefully placed his hand on the pups back.
It looked at him for a second before barking, its tail wagging back and forth. It licked at Sam's hand.
Dean huffed a laugh at how small the pups bark was, "He likes you," he said to Sam.
Sam turned to see his brother standing in the doorway, "You think so?" he said.
Dean nodded smiling at his brother, but he felt something inside him aching. He frowned when Sam turned back to the pup. He couldn't help but wonder if something bad happened.
Bobby came back into the room with a bowl of water, a rag, and some bandages. He placed them down on the table and carefully grabbed the pups paw. He dipped it into the warm water and slowly washed off the blood.
He must have put too much pressure on the wound because the pup whined and nipped at the back of his hand.
Bobby gave the pup a firm look. "You really wanna bite the guy that's helping you out?" he said.
The pup flattened its ears and bowed its head in shame. He licked the back of Bobby's hand in an apology.
Bobby gave a small smile as he rapped the rag around the pup's paw so it could dry. When the fur was dry enough to wrap, Bobby grabbed the bandages.
They jumped when the front door slammed shut.
Dean smiled, "Dads back!" he said waiting for him. His heart stopped when he saw John walk in with Castiel in his arms.
John walked passed him to place Castiel down on the couch. Castiel whined as John slipped his arms out from under him. He turned around to talk to Bobby, but Dean ran into him wrapping his arms around his father.
"Are you hurt too?" Dean asked.
John sighed, "No. I'm fine."
Dean hugged a little tighter before walking over to the couch to check on Cas.
John walked over to Bobby. He looked at Sam playing with the wolf pup on the table, "Where'd the pup come from?"
Bobby sighed. "Was on my front porch whining." he said looking at John "Sam wants to keep him."
John chuckled, "Just what we need."
"This one's young, and Castiel's eaten a squirrel before," Bobby joked. "Shouldn't cost much," he said.
John nodded, "Yeah, I guess your right."
"What happened to Castiel?" he asked.
John huffed a laugh "He was attacked by a white wolf in the middle of a motel parking lot," he said.
Bobby laughed, "Your family just attracts every wolf in the country."
"Yeah I guess your right," John said.
Sam picked the pup up and walked over to the couch placing it in front of Cas.
Dean smiled at his brother, but frowned when Castiel started to growl.
The pup wagged its tail, "Hi Castiel."
Castiel lifted his head and made a confused sound. Sam and Dean glance at each other.
"Yeah, it's Gabe" he said stepping forward. "I know you can't talk to me, not with Dean around, but I figured you'd want some help with the Winchester's."
Castiel wanted to laugh at how small Gabriel was.
Gabriel barked, "I may be small but you have to admit, I'm fucking adorable."
Castiel barked, Gabriel always knew how to cheer him up.
"Gabriel," Sam said, "His name is Gabriel."
Dean smiled, "That's a great name," he said.
"I agree," John said kneeling next to his boys. He scratched Gabriel's head. "Small guy isn't he?" John laughed as Gabriel pawed at his hand.
"Like Sammy!" Dean said.
Castiel was glad Gabriel was able to take Dean's mind off him for now. Castiel was broken from his thought when Gabriel jumped forward biting at his ear. Castiel barked playfully trying to nip at Gabriel's small legs.
Gabriel then rubbed his muzzle against the bottom of Castiel's chin. His eyes were closed and his ears were flattened as he rested his head against Castiel's chest. "I'm here for you now baby brother."
Castiel sighed and closed his eyes snuggling Gabriel.
Sammy smiled, "They seem close," he said looking at Dean.
Dean nodded, "Yeah..." Dean said before standing.
John frowned at his son's sad face, "You okay Dean?"
Dean smiled weakly, "Yeah. I just need some fresh air," he said.
He walked out on the porch, his breath creating fog in front of him as the cold air blew over him. He felt like he was missing something, like something was happening right under his nose and it was hiding from him…watching him. Dean shifted on his feet as he felt eyes on him; he felt his blood run cold. He froze with fear.
In the still silence Dean heard a faint snarl from behind him.
Dean felt his heart race as he grabbed his pocket knife and flicked it open before turning around to find nothing there. He sighed before putting his knife away and rubbing his forehead. "Come on Dean" he said out loud to himself.
"Dean!" his father yelled from inside causing Dean to jump, "Come back inside I want to talk to you."
"Coming!" Dean yelled back taking one more look behind him to make sure nothing was there.