"We have to do something!" Sam declared pacing the guest room of the manor where he and Mary had been detained an hour ago. Panic and worry had begun to fester underneath his skin, he had felt Dean's anger as his wolf had fought for control, he had felt his panic and he had felt it when he had been hit by something and since then he hadn't been able to feel him anymore. In his heart he knew that his Alpha was merely unconscious but the thought that someone had laid their hand on him had him almost shifting and forcing himself through the thick wooden door. He needed to get to his Alpha. "There has to be something we can do?" he asked feeling a helpless sob push its way up his throat. Why must everything be taken away from them? A few short hours ago they had been tangled up together enjoying the feeling of being one and now they were forced apart. "I don't care what they think Dean didn't kill that girl…he wouldn't."

"I know sweetie," Mary soothed holding her arms out to him. Sam sat by her side and fell into her embrace, feeling comforted the way that only a mother could do. "We will get him out of this, this is what we are here for…to save our stubborn Alpha's." she pressed a kiss to his temple.

The wooden door was forced open and two guards barged into the room dragging a bedraggled John into the room. They glanced at the pair, turned up their nose and threw the Alpha towards them before taking their leave quickly. John grunted as he pushed his shaking body to his feet, blood flowed from his broken nose and there were various cuts and bruises littering his skin, ones that indicated a heavy beating. Mary instantly moved away from Sam and went to her mate's side. She wrapped her arms around his waist and helped support his weight towards the bed, she lowered him down and started to kiss every single bruise and mark on his face. Sam had to fight down the blind panic that was threatening to take over, if they could do that to John on his own pack lands…what the hell were they doing to his mate? God what kind of council were they if they treated their own Alpha's like this?

"God John," Mary sobbed her right hand caressing his cheek as she continued to kiss him. "What have they done to you?"

"I'm fine," John wheezed out clearly suffering more than he was letting on and it was in this moment that Sam knew just where Dean got that trait from. "They have Dean."

"What do you mean they have him?" Mary asked pulled away from John so that she could look at him straight in his eyes. Sam stopped his pacing. "John where is my pup?"

"They knocked him out and took him down to the cells, I tried to stop them…I'm sorry Mary."

"John you have nothing to be sorry for," she declared her eyes moving towards the door. "What do they want from him?"

"They think he killed that girl and with the other hunter dying…it don't look good. They have decreed a trial by hunter…"

"No!" Mary exclaimed her hand covering her mouth.

"What does that mean?" Sam asked almost afraid to ask.

"It means that they choose the punishment, it means that he will probably be released into the woods and…and…" Mary broke off as desperate tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Hunted." John finished.

Sam shook his head as he turned his attention towards the door. No there was no way he was going to allow that to happen. Dean was strong, he was one of the strongest Alpha's he knew, he hadn't told his mate but he could sense the other man's wolf and he could tell that at his potential he would be more powerful than even John himself. He just needed to be able to find the connection. Something that Sam hoped he could help him with. "We have to get him out of there."

As if on cue there was a knock on the door.

…

Dean tugged at the cuffs, making sure that his skin rubbed against the metal causing a nasty red rash to appear on his skin. Every five minutes a guard would peer into him and he needed to keep up appearances of his supposed distress. They had bound him in one of the cells, well old dilapidated rooms in the basement of the manor that they used as an occasional cell when one of the wolves got out of hand, with silver cuffs. Of course they expected him to be screaming at them and begging for them to take them off because duh it was silver. Mentally Dean was smirking ok one thing was going in his favour. Though he had to keep up the appearances of silver burns which was a bitch however there was no way he was going to let the douche bag council know that silver didn't affect him.

He looked around the room hoping to find something to help him, his words weren't enough to convince the council as it appears that they had already made up their mind about him even before talking to him. All his life he had been judged just because he couldn't shift on demand or because he didn't feel the same pull from the moon as the rest of his species. He was different so they were all quick to judge him even when he had done nothing wrong but protect his home and those he had come to love. He meant what he said, everyone that resides on the pack land was an extension of his family and there was nothing he wouldn't do for them.

There was no light coming into the room and the only pieces of furniture present was the rickety old bed with a rusted metal frame and a single bowl used as a bed pan. He was currently chained to the bed post that looked like it could give him tetanus just by looking at it. The bed pan was out of his reach so he was sure it was put there simply to mock him as he had no idea how long he had been down here or how long he had to endure before the hunters came a knocking. He wasn't stupid he knew that as soon as he was released into the woods his death would be signed. He couldn't shift to attempt to escape, it was a death sentence.

Outside the door he could hear the guards pacing and stop every five minutes to check for signs of movement from him. He had no doubt that right now the council were probably sucking up to Gordon fucking Walker just for the sakes of a treaty that they probably could live without. He just hoped that he had enough time when he was released to rip the skin off of the hunter, he had already supposedly killed two would a third really make a difference?

He rubbed his wrist against the cuff once more as the previous burn had already healed. He wanted to call out to his mate but he wasn't sure who would be listening or whether his mate would be on his own. He just hoped that they kept Sam out of this, he wasn't the one who had done anything wrong. At least he had had that one perfect moment with the man out in the clearing, if only he had gone with his gut feeling and never left that place they probably wouldn't even be in this mess.

Dean was brought out of his thoughts as the door to the room opened with a creak. Big Bald and Ugly entered, that was what he had taken to calling the secondary guard who hadn't said a single word to him in the period of time he had been trapped down here. The guard glared at him, then to his hand then to the wall behind him before taking his leave to be back again in another five minutes or so.

Well at least he was still considered a threat enough to worthy all these checks, that was a compliment at least he thought so.

…

Outside the door he could hear muffled voices, who they belonged to he didn't know. All of a sudden the door swung open once more bathing the room in an intense white light causing the young Alpha to squint. Big Bald and ugly entered once more with three figures behind him. He placed the key in the lock and shut the door so that he was locked in the room with them. He pressed his back to the door and his eyes focused on Dean unwavering.

Dean tried to ignore him and focused on the newcomers. One was his mother, the other was his mate and the third was a petite woman he didn't recognise. Mary flew to his side instantly, her hand rubbing his cheek seeming to check him over for injuries. As soon as her skin came into contact with his she hissed and pulled away. Her eyes widening as she seemed to notice the silver cuffs for the first time. Dean rubbed his wrist against them trying to make the mark stand out more for the sake of his mother though he wanted to tell her that he was alright due to the look of horror plastered across her face. Dean gave her a shaky smile.

"My poor pup," Mary cried wanting to reach out though the burn on her hand reminded her not to touch, so that was why they had allowed them in because they knew that they wouldn't be able to touch him due to the amount of silver that was supposed to be running through his system. "What have they done to you?!"

Dean managed a small smile though he had to remind himself that he was supposed to be sluggish and slow due to the silver when really he had no idea what it was like to be poisoned by it. He would never be an actor let's just say that. "I'm ok," he whispered hoping that he sounded convincing in his lie that was actually a truth.

"I can't believe they would just convict you like that," Sam declared kneeling down by Dean's side though careful not to actually touch him no matter how much Dean wanted to lean in for a kiss. "You're down here and Gordon is walking around…"

Dean scoffed rolling his eyes, yeah he knew what that bastard was waiting for. Probably be the first one to sign up to the 'hunt.' He turned to face Big Bald and ugly who was still continuing to stare at him, he was beginning to think that the man might be more cat than wolf. Huh…he was sure that guy looked familiar, there was something bugging him about him. It was like the rogue he had encountered he still had no idea where he had seen him before though he was convinced he had. If only he had taken some photographic evidence maybe he wouldn't have ended up here…who was he kidding of course he would have this was his shitty luck they were talking about.

"Dean?" Sam's voice broke him out of his musings and he realised that he had tuned out for a couple of minutes. Ok maybe the silver didn't hurt him just made him feel high…just great. "Just stay strong ok?" he added his hand hovering over Dean's in a phantom gesture.

"Always," Dean replied smiling at his mate and how he wished he could taste those lips one last time…even if it was his last.

"It won't be your last young wolf," the smaller woman smiled at him speaking up for the first time. Her dark eyes stared through him like she was seeing into his soul. Ok that was freaky how she did know what he was thinking was she some kind of… "Mind reader?" she finished a smirk crossing her face. "We all have many talents only some are aware of their true potential or the potential of those around us," she continued her eyes flicking to Sam for a moment before settling back onto him. "This is not your last day, your last day has been decided and this is not it."

Dean frowned looking from his mother to his mate and back again, he had no idea who this woman was and why she was speaking in riddles to him. Even Big, Bald and Ugly seemed confused and that was most expressive he had ever seen the other were, maybe he did have a soul underneath all that muscle. Maybe…though it was probably a long shot.

"Do…?"

"No you don't and will never if you keep on questioning everything boy," the woman snapped back cutting through Dean's words midsentence effectively shutting the Alpha up. "The important thing is that I know you." She added smiling sweetly at him making Dean more confused. "I know you didn't kill that poor girl."

"I'm glad someone does," Dean grumbled.

Big, Bald and Ugly's back straightened up giving a clear indication that he was listening to every single word that they were saying. He was still pressed up tightly against the door like he would be enough to stop them from exiting, from the smell of him he was an Alpha but how high he was he had no idea. His nose only told them their status nothing more than that.

"We all know you didn't do it sweetie," Mary pitched in her attention turning towards the guard. Her eyes connected with the petite females and Sam's who nodded. Dean frowned not sure what was going on between the three of them and not liking being out of the loop. "Sir if you wouldn't mind helping my friend here up? I'm afraid her bones have been plagued by arthritis," she gestured towards the other woman who held her hand out to him.

The guard frowned but stayed where he was seeming to not want to move from his current position. "Be a gentleman and help an old wolf up," the other woman said sweetly. "Don't worry about my friends here, we are two betas, an omega and a chained Alpha what can we do between us?" she fluttered her eyelashes which seemed to do the trick. Hesitating for a moment the guard strode over towards where they were all seated on the bed. He held out his hand towards the other female who took it quickly.

As he was helping her to his feet Sam pushed himself to his full height. His hand curled into a fist and with a great force he slammed it into the man's temple sending him crashing to the ground. Dean winced as the pain of his previous beating bounced around his skull reminding him of his predicament a mere hour ago.

"Doesn't feel good does it?" Sam shouted at the prone form flexing his hands where his knuckles were now a bright red. Dean raised his eyebrows at the omega who shrugged his shoulders in response. "No one hits my mate," was his simple explanation and in that moment Dean couldn't love him more.

"What are you doing?" Dean asked.

"We are getting you out of here," Sam replied.

"No I'm not dragging you down with me."

"Yeah now you don't have a choice!" Sam added gesturing towards the unconscious guard.

"My pup we are not leaving you down here," Mary added walking over towards the door where the guard had left the key in the lock clearly arrogant enough to think that he could overpower them. She turned the key in the lock and poked her head seeming to check if the coast was clear. "Listen to me Dean," she said turning back to face him. "You need to leave."

"Leave?"

"Leave these lands just until the heat dies down," she added.

"You mean run away."

"Pup…"

"How's running away going to help me? If I run I'm as good as admitting my guilt!" Dean declared rubbing his hand once more noticing that it had been a while since he had shown signs of the silver burns.

"They have already decided you are guilty!" Sam declared leaning down so that he was directly in front of Dean. "They are going to let the hunters hunt you."

"I know."

"And you're ok with that? You are just going to give up like that?"

"I'm not…"

"Yes you are, if you stay you are."

Dean sighed not sure what he was meant to do. On the one side he could stay, be publically shamed then released into the woods to be killed. Or he could run…and do what…where would he go?

"I have a friend who would be willing to help," the petite woman answered him. "You will be proved innocent."

"Look lady I don't know who you are…"

"Yes you do and you will. Missouri Mosely here to help," she introduced herself.

Mary poked her head back out of the door. "We don't have long…" she warned them. "I'm going to go find the keys to the cuffs," she insisted pushing her way out of the door before anyone could protest, leaving Dean, Sam and Missouri.

"You know wherever you go I will go," Sam said his hand hovering in front of Dean but not touching him. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Then let's go, let's get out of here...please Dean."

Slowly Dean nodded feeling his resolve crumble, there was nothing he would deny his mate and he wouldn't put him through the trauma of feeling his death through their bond, knowing that he would effectively be killing Sam as well.

Missouri's attention turned towards the silver cuff still adorning Dean's wrist. "We all know that you can break out of them."

Surprised Dean was about to question when she interrupted him mid thought. "Don't argue with me boy, I will get my wooden spoon!" He closed his mouth knowing that there was no point in protesting. He looked down at the cuffs, squeezing his hand into a fist he tugged his arm up towards his face. The cuffs strained with the metal biting into his skin causing it to bleed though he continued to tug. Suddenly a cracking noise echoed throughout the room and the links connecting the cuffs to the bed frame splintered. Dean pushed himself to his feet and using his free hand he managed to prise the rest of the cuff off. He threw it to the ground and kicked it under the bed.

As soon as he was free of the poison Sam leapt into his arms, pressing his lips against his own. His hand entwined with his and without a single hesitation the omega pulled him into a sprint through the corridor. They made their way along and up the stairs, not coming across a single were on their way. They pushed through the Oak doors of the front entrance and waiting outside was Dean's pride and joy. His Impala.

John was leaning against the bonnet with Mary by his side who was holding a set of keys though she seemed to realise that he didn't need them after all. Mary kissed his cheek and told him to be safe while John pulled him into a bone crushing hug telling him that it wasn't permanent. When they could prove his innocence he would be home.

Missouri slipped silently into the backseat and Sam sat shotgun. Dean retrieved the keys from his father and slotted behind the wheel. He placed the keys in the ignition, shut his door gently and adjusted his rear view mirror. He could see his parents holding each other tightly, slowly waving at him. He had no idea when the next time he would be able to see them was…but he did know something. He was coming back.

He didn't know when.

But he was going to come home.

With one last look he put the car into drive and sped out of the pack lands following Missouri's directions…

TBC (I hope that chapter was alright for you, poor Dean! So where is Missouri taking them and why do you think she is around? As always thanks for the reviews and for the people reading this, you all mean a lot to me so thank you for sticking by me. I will see you all in Chapter Sixteen.)