Early post you lucky lot as I have to work on Sunday!
The Impala pulled up to the perimeter of the pack lands, above them a massive wooden arch loomed with the words Winchester engraved on it. A single gravel track led through it giving an impression of a small country farm rather than a whole village enclosed inside. Dean hesitated for a moment allowing the engine to roll. His hands were gripping the wheel with a white knuckle grip as his eyes focused on what they couldn't see. On what they would be driving into. Behind them Bobby's truck pulled to a stop, the older Alpha not seeming to want to try and hurry them along. Dean guessed that they all could feel the apprehension. It had been a month or so since he had been back, since he had broken out of custody with his parents help. He had no idea just what would be waiting for them. Oh he knew he was going to get a welcoming party. Every were knew the sound of his engine so the element of surprise was not going to be on their side.
He swallowed down his feelings and placed his stoic mask back into place. He needed to play the role of tough Alpha, he needed to show them that he wasn't afraid. Sam squeezed his knee in reassurance. No matter what he would have his omega by his side, besides it wasn't like he done anything wrong. Just breaking out of custody and going against the were council who were in charge of like everything…just another day in the office. He pulled his handbrake off and allowed the car to roll down the path.
He stared out at the land he knew like the back of his hands. He could see the horses grazing in the field that belonged to the Mcainen's, a human family who paid his father for protection and in return they supplied the pack with as much meat as they wanted from their farm. The cottages at the edge of the lands came into view, these were the ones that had been built by his ancestors five hundred years or so ago. The oldest residents lived there, the ones who had been with the pack since it had first formed and the ones who had been set in their old ways to change to their new lifestyle. They were the pack elders and they were well respected amongst the group. They were the ones that Dean had been defending that night of the attack. Mr Winston was in his garden tending to his roses when he noticed the Impala rumble past. He raised his eyebrows in shock and waved towards Dean who waved back. At least someone seemed happy to see him. More cottages passed by, getting bigger and fancier the closer they got to the middle of the pack lands, towards Winchester Manor.
…
Dean could feel his heart start to pound as adrenaline coursed through his veins. He could see the Manor looming ahead of him now and as he predicted there were several shadows waiting for him on the front porch. Great it looked like the were council had never left…that was not a good sign. He scanned the faces surrounding them, none seemed familiar. He half expected to see his Dad waiting there with open arms or his mother crying to herself that he came back to her. But all he could see was strangers.
He pulled the car right up to the steps, all around him were's had stopped what they had been doing and started to circle them. Familiar faces smiled softly at him while others glared disdainfully. There were wolves walking around in full body armour with what seemed to be loaded assault rifles, there were even some on the rooftops. Oh this was so not good. He had just left his safety to come into a war zone. One of the armed guards stormed up to the car, yanked the driver door open and grabbed Dean by the scruff of his jacket. Dean yelped as he was unceremoniously thrown onto the floor at the feet of the crowd that was gathering. He could hear Sam cursing as he was restrained along with Bobby, Missouri and Ellen. His hands were restrained behind his back as a person's weight was forced on top of him pinning him to the ground. He could feel cuffs being attached to his wrists. He tried to fight but the guard was too strong, all he got for his efforts was his face pushed into the hard gravel. He could hear Sam call his name frantically. Ok this was so not how he imagined it to go. Dean felt the weight lift off of him as someone lifted him to his feet using his restrained hands. He was then shoved forward in front of a very satisfied Zachariah.
"The whole point of running away is to not come back," Zachariah laughed with his companions cackling along with him like he was the best comedian they had ever heard. "Good to see you again Dean."
"Wish I could say the same," Dean growled as two guards grabbed hold of his elbows holding him in place. "Dude have you ever heard of breath mints?" he joked wrinkling his nose at the smell that was permitting out of the Alpha's mouth. Seems he just had a fresh kill. One of the guards slammed his elbow into Dean's stomach causing him to cough at the lack of air. "Touché," he mumbled straightening up once more. Out of his peripheral vision he could see another guard force Sam to stand beside him, he too was chained only with Sam the silver was affecting him. He could see sweat running down the omega's face and the skin around the cuffs had started to burn and blister. "You son of a bitch," he growled his eyes brightening as the Alpha inside of him fought for dominance, he couldn't see any further than the fact that his mate was hurt…they had hurt his omega…
"My mother was very nice actually," Zachariah commented smirking like he was having the time of his life. "You made this very easy for us, I was a day away from releasing the hunters on you," he tutted gesturing to the armed guards around him. "They have been itching for your blood."
"They will have to wait," Dean growled. "I didn't kill Jo."
"Jo?" Zachariah asked his brows furrowing.
"The hunter," Dean declared his lips morphing into a smirk. "Seems you cared enough to learn her name," he commented which resulted in another blow to the stomach. "I didn't kill her but I know who did," he added when he got his breath back once more. He was getting fed up of being beaten up now.
"It's too late Winchester, in your absence we conducted a trial and guess what…you was found guilty!"
"That's not fair!" Sam shouted.
"Life's not fair kiddo get used to it," Zachariah commented winking at the omega. "Well you won't have time because you won't have long left. By aiding in the escape of notorious killer Dean Winchester we find you also guilty of treason. Along with your little friends here. Oh and Mary and John."
All around them the pack gasped, some screamed out in horror while others simply started to cry. The armed guards rounded on them holding out there guns seeming to be waiting for someone to step out of line, like they were hungry for bloodshed. "No!" Dean shouted struggling with his restraints as Sam was brought closer to Zachariah. "You touch him and I will kill you!"" he yelled out feeling his wolf howl in rage. The other guards brought Bobby, Missouri and Ellen in front of him so that his four friends were staring at him. They were forced to kneel before him while a guard placed a gun at their temples. "I'M THE ONE YOU WANT NOT THEM!" he screamed. The manor doors opened and two more guards came out into the courtyard, one was dragging Mary who was crying, her blond hair hung limply in front of her face and her dressed was ripped in numerous places. She was covered in bruises and dirt. Dean could feel his rage increase. How could they do that to her? She was pack beta for fuck sake. Behind her John was brought out, his feet was dragging behind him and his head hung limply between his shoulders. He was shirtless and his back was covered in welts and scars. His veins were black indicating the constant use of wolfs bane. Dean had never seen his father look so…broken. "NO!" Dean shouted once more as the guards placed their guns at their temples as well.
His family, his friends were all lined up in front of him, this wasn't a trial, and this was an execution. Why did he think it would have been a good idea to come back in the first place? Did he really believe that they would listen to reason with Zachariah as their leader? All around him the pack had begun to protest, some finding their voices and some with their fists. They were still loyal to the Winchester name it seemed.
"Let them go," Dean warned his voice becoming dangerously low. "I'm the one you want."
"Actually no, you have all broke the law and you all need to be punished. Question is who do we start with," Zachariah tutted as he began to walk down the line, his hand tapping on each person's head as he passed like some sick children's game. He came to a stop by Sam, his hand twisting in the omega's hair so that his neck was forced backwards and the gun was pressed harder into his temple. "How about this one?" he laughed, his finger running down Sam's cheek to stop at the mating mark on his neck. "You thought that by mating with this one it would spare your life."
"Get. Your. Hands. Off. Of. My. Mate," he warned his eyes glowing brightly.
Zachariah leaned down so that his mouth was now at Sam's ear. "You will regret choosing the wrong Winchester," he whispered letting go of Sam's hair and moving further down the line. He stopped at Bobby but shook his head. Lastly he came to Ellen. He stroked her cheek and moved her hair out of her eyes. Ellen for her part was a blank canvas, she didn't relay any emotion it was like she wasn't even there. Her eyes were staring at Dean and there was something she was trying to say to him but he couldn't quite make it out. "This one's new," Zachariah commented. "Thought you would play the field Deano?" he laughed with his followers cackling along with him. "What is your name sweet pea?"
Ellen remained silent her eyes continuing to bore into Dean's. Dean frowned noticing that her mouth was moving, what she was trying to say. I…No…shit he had never been very good at lip reading. Sorry, she was saying she was sorry. For what? He had gotten over the fact that she handed his ass to him…well would have been different if he did wolf out but thank god he had kept control. Wait she was saying something else. Let…Jo…mentally Dean swore what she was on about. He watched her mouth move a couple of times before realisation struck and a feeling of horror washed over him. No, he shook his head but she continued to mouth the same few words. I'm sorry, let me be with Jo.
"I haven't got all day," Zachariah huffed.
"You're not man enough to do it yourself," Dean growled swallowing the lump in his throat at the thought of what he was about to do. He nodded towards Ellen who smiled at him with tears running down her face. "You pass the sentence but won't dirty your hands with the punishment. What kind of were are you?" Dean goaded.
"I'm more of a wolf then you will ever be!" Zachariah shouted his nose flaring.
"Coward more like," Dean added. "Haven't got the guts to do it yourself."
With those words Zachariah pushed the armed guard out of the way and grabbed the assault rifle. He held it up to Ellen's head who had titled her head back in acceptance. Dean let out a shaking breath hoping that he was going to be forgiven for what he was about to do. Missouri's eyes met his and she nodded once in agreement. "Prove that you mean it," Dean challenged. "You're nothing but a coward who hides behind his orders."
"I'll make you regret that Winchester," Zachariah placed his finger on the trigger. He smirked at Dean as he pressed down. A bang echoed throughout the atmosphere as Ellen's prone form fell forward onto the steps. Blood poured down out of the hole in the side of her head making Dean feel physically sick. Mentally he sent a prayer up hoping that she would be able to find her daughter once again. All around them women had started to scream. Dean could feel everyone's eyes on him, he could practically sense their hatred flying at him in waves. "Now who's the coward?" He laughed handing the gun back and wiping off the blood on his expensive suit.
…
"You stupid son of a bitch," Dean laughed shaking his head. He ignored Ellen's cooling body at his feet, if he looked he would be sick, he couldn't believe what he had just allowed to happen. Fuck. "You have no idea what you have just done."
"Oh I'm sorry did I just kill your bit on the side? A bit old for you kiddo don't you think?"
"SHUT UP!" Sam shouted causing one of the guards to smack him in the mouth splitting his lip in the process.
"Boyfriend's getting jealous," Zachariah laughed.
"She wasn't my bit on the side, she was a mother looking for her daughter's killer," Dean laughed raising his eyebrows. He started to twist his wrists in their restraints in case he needed a quick getaway. "Her name was Ellen Harvelle and she was the mother of Joanna Harvelle, the girl that was murdered by my so called brother pretending to be me…" he smirked hearing everyone's shocked intake of breath at the revelation.
"LIES TO GET OUT OF THIS!" Zachariah screamed moving down the line towards Mary. He grabbed her by the hair and forced her in front of the line. He made her kneel right in front of Dean. "I DON'T BELIEVE A WORD YOU SAY MURDERER!" He grabbed for a gun once more however this time the armed guard refused to give it to him. Instead he stared at Ellen's body like he was trying to figure out the missing piece of the puzzle.
"You say these people are hunters? They will know Ellen as the landlady behind the roadhouse…" he trailed off as some of the guards dropped their weapons clearly in shock. "A hunter bar," he added for those who didn't know what he was talking about. "She came looking for me, to hunt me for her daughter's death…I never killed Jo and she knew I hadn't. We have evidence."
"TOO LITTLE TOO LATE!" Zachariah shouted however a young female from the council stepped forward and pushed him back, loosening his hold on Mary. Mary's blue eyes peered at Dean, a small smile was on her face and it was apparent that she was trying to hold back her tears. Dean had no idea what had happened when he had been away but he was going to fix it, if it was the last thing he ever did.
"I would like to see this evidence," the woman spoke stepping towards Dean. She signalled for the guards to back off. "Where is it?"
"Jacket pocket, the right one, it's on a pink iPhone that belonged to Jo, the code is 4658," Dean replied feeling the woman dig into his jacket to retrieve the phone.
"Anna you can't be buying into this bullshit!" Zachariah shouted now being blocked from getting near Dean or the others by a wall of the armed guards. One of the guards was kneeling by Ellen's head closing her eyes with a tender touch showing that they did indeed recognise her. "It's too late we have already decided on their fate."
"We is a bit of a strong statement, it was only you and Uriel that passed judgement while we sat idly by," Anna responded flicking through the phone, she frowned as she seemed to be reading through the text messages that had been left by this fake 'Dean.' "Can you confirm that this is not your number?" she asked showing Dean the screen.
"My phone is in my jean pocket, ring it," he said twisting his body so that she would be able to hear.
Anna nodded and pressed call on the phone, she held it up to her ear and waited for a couple of moments. "It's ringing," she announced though no sound could be heard. She stayed on the line for a moment more before the call was disconnected.
"That proves nothing he could have another phone!" Zachariah shouted his pleas sounding more desperate.
Anna seemed to ignore him as she closed the messages to look at the pictures. She stared at the one with Jo and the wolf, she looked at Dean's eyes and back down to picture. "You have green eyes, she stated." She turned the phone around to show Dean the picture she was looking at. "This wolf has blue."
"How are we meant to know if they change when he shifts?" Zachariah challenged.
"What colour is your fur?" Anna asked turning the picture back around so that she can flick through the rest of them.
"He's a white wolf!" Sam shouted from behind them. "He's the only one of his kind."
"Is that so?" Anna commented her gaze moving to stare at Dean. "Can you show us?"
"I erm…can't shift…" Dean stammered. "Not on will anyway."
Anna pursed her lips looking to Mary for confirmation who nodded slowly. "Interesting," she deduced. "And yet this wolf is a sandy colour."
"Can I see?" Mary asked lifting her head. Anna smiled politely leaning down to show Mary the phone.
"Your eldest seems convinced that that wolf is his little brother. Can you confirm this as an impartial witness to this case?"
Mary stared at the picture for a moment, a single tear fell down her cheek. "Yes, that's Adam."
A gasp ran out through the atmosphere and silently Dean mentally clapped himself on the back before he remembered that this outcome had only been possible through Ellen's sacrifice. He would never forget the feisty woman who had been intent on killing him only to become a trusty ally in the end.
Zachariah was screaming bloody murder with the guards holding him back. "NO HE KILLED THAT HUNTER."
"The only person to have killed a hunter here is you," Dean commented gesturing to Ellen's body.
"NO HE NEEDS TO DIE! HE IS NOT FIT TO RUN THIS PACK! NONE OF THEM ARE!" Zachariah screeched.
"Guards release the prisoners and arrest Zachariah for the murder of Ellen Harvelle, for perverting the course of justice and for conspiring to frame an innocent."
Dean felt the cuffs fall from his wrists and as soon as he was free his mother fell into his arms holding onto him tightly. She buried her head into his shoulder and began to cry, whether this was happy tears he had no idea but he was intent just to hold onto her. John bounded over to them and wrapped his arms around them both happy to have his family back together again. For a moment Dean allowed himself to have this. After months apart he finally had his parents with him and his name was cleared.
"Wait…She's still breathing!" A startled shout from Bobby pulled the Winchester's from their moment.
Dean pushed away from his parents and ran down to Ellen's side, he placed his fingers at her throat and found her pulse barely there. How the hell she had survived a bullet to the brain he had no idea but chances were she didn't have long left. He looked around at the people gathering around him none of them were qualified enough to perform brain surgery. Sam was standing beside him with Bobby hovering over them. Dean looked at each of them in turn making his mind up.
"Forgive me," he whispered leaning down to sink his teeth into her skin….
TBC (Hope you enjoyed that explosive chapter! So our boys are finally back where they belong. I really hope that was alright for you that was a fun chapter to write. Thank you for reading and reviewing. See you all in Chapter Twenty Four.)