"The bond between an Alpha and their chosen mate has to prove to withstand all trials and tribulations that come with the Pack Alpha title," Anna exclaimed. Dean shot Sam a small smile feeling his mate's nerves creep in through their bond. Not that Dean could blame him as neither one of them knew what exactly was going to happen next. The whole day was becoming a guessing game to the Alpha and he hated surprises.

After he had passed the first test he had been allowed ten minutes to compose himself which consisted of his mother and mate fussing over him to make sure that John had not done any lasting damage. When that time had passed he had been ordered into the middle of the courtyard where he sat on his hind legs with his mate in his wolf form directly in front of him. Dean held Sam's gaze hoping that his presence would be enough to calm the omega who he could tell was seconds away from bolting.

"The Pack beta, or omega in this case, would be responsible for the pack and their welfare during the absence of the chosen Alpha," Anna continued moving to stand behind Sam her hands hovering over his head. "It is imperative that their bond is attached and in constant communication at all times no matter how far away the other may be," she added lowering her right hand so that is was sitting between the omega's ears. Her fingers began to stroke in soothing circles causing Sam's eyelids to begin to droop. Dean's ears lowered as he pushed himself to his feet letting out warning growl, he didn't know what was going on but he knew that he didn't like it. Anna however merely smiled at his antics. "An Alpha would protect his mate against all odds," her motions continued and Sam's head lolled to the side like he was falling under some sort of spell. Dean's hackles rose while he released another warning this time was deeper laced with his Alpha testosterone. "Even if it meant they would come to harm themselves," she whispered her fingers digging in and instantly Sam's body went limp in her grip.

Dean howled leaping towards Anna who had just enough time to lower Sam to the ground and move out of his way. Desperately Dean sniffed at his omega, his tongue licking at the side of his face trying to rouse any kind of reaction from him to no avail. Behind him he could feel Bobby's anger and his parent's confusion, even they did not seem to know what was happening. Dean lowered his body to the ground allowing his tail to wrap around Sam, keeping the omega's throat pressed against his side.

"He is just asleep," Anna reassured with a smile on her face. "See the way Alpha Dean is protecting his mate's vulnerabilities?" she gestured to the pair. "I don't think any of us could doubt that their mating is genuine," she added pausing as her eyes scanned through the crowd like she was waiting for someone to speak up.

Dean huffed licking between Sam's ear at the spot that Anna had used hoping to wake his mate up. Yeah they could have just asked them rather than using his omega to their advantage. God he had never wished a day would be over as much as he did now. 'Sammy,' he called out mentally, continuing his movements. Anna was rambling on about something else now but he wouldn't have been able to tell you what. All he cared about was his mate. 'Wake up,' he added feeling Sam's wolf respond to his voice. 'Up and at them sleeping beauty,' gradually he could feel the wolf below him begin to stir.

'De…' Sam's voice echoed in his head as one eye slowly blinked open. 'What?'

Dean nuzzled Sam's throat unaware that Anna had directed a question towards him. Couldn't she see he had more important things to take care of? Ok yes he might have been pissed at her, she could have at least given him a warning rather than a heart attack. 'You're ok,' he hummed whether that was to reassurance himself or Sam he couldn't say.

"His power over his mate is clear for you all to see," Anna said. "We cannot question their mating therefore they have passed the second trial," she declared to which the pack started to cheer.

Dean growled, yeah some trial. 'Bitch,' he muttered in his head which caused his omega to laugh.

"Now the third and final trial…" she gestured to the four were's that were standing by her side. As one they nodded and stalked towards Dean and Sam. Dean growled pushing himself in front of his omega. One of the men attempted to grab at his neck, gripping a handful of his fur. Twisting to the side he closed his jaws around the man's hand and clamped down causing him to cry out. Another person attempted to restrain his back legs while a third grasped hold of his front. Behind him he could hear Sam call out in terror.

Dean released the man's hand who pulled a clump of his fur out at the same time. His legs kicked out as he bucked up trying to dislodge those who were attempting to hold him down. Out of the corner of his eye he could see at least two were's restraining his mate and in that instance all he could see was red. He had to get to him. No one touched Sam without going through him first.

"Fucking stand still!" one of the men roared at him however this encouraged him to keep moving the need to get to his omega was fuelling his every action. His jaws snapped at anyone who tried to come near him.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" He could hear his father's angry shout.

Dean growled turning his head to the side to look at Sam's whose wide eyes were boring into his. His mouth opened like he was going to say something but it was too late. The last thing Dean was aware of was a pounding force crashing down onto his temple before the world faded to black.

…

"Son of a bitch," Dean muttered as consciousness crept up on him. His head felt like it was on fire and his tongue felt twice the size of what it was supposed to be. His eyes opened though all he could see was darkness, what the hell? The second thing he became aware of was the fact that there seemed to be a draft as goose bumps had erupted across his bare flesh and the third…well…he was human again and apparently very naked if the feel of the stone floor against his flesh was anything to go by. The last thing he remembered…" Sammy?" Dean called out his voice sounding hoarse and his words slurred. What did they do to him?

"Dean?" Sam replied his voice sounding like it was directly above him. He lifted his head though he still couldn't see a thing, not even the hand in front of his face. He lifted his right hand up and felt his eyelids, ok they were defiantly open, must just be a dark room.

"Sammy?" he called again tilting his head up trying to figure out the position his mate was in.

"Dean…I can see you," Sam replied.

"How?"

"What?"

"I can't see a damned thing in this dark," Dean added trying to use his senses though when he was human he was limited in what he could do.

"Err Dean it's not dark."

"No…" Dean shook his head and tried blinking a couple of times to attempt to clear his vision but there was still nothing. "I can't see."

"What have they done to you?" Sam exclaimed his worry leaking through their bond.

"The blindness is temporary if Cole hit you right," Anna's voice called out, she too apparently was above him where the hell was he? "Trial number three," she added. "Here we test the trust you have in those around you, a good Alpha has to learn when to trust his own instincts and when to put his faith in those around him." Dean could feel the ground move beneath his feet. "Do you trust your pack or yourself?" Cold air danced around him causing him to shiver. "Alpha Dean you must make your way to us using either your senses or trusting those around you to direct you to safety. Some have been instructed to deceive, distinguishing the truth from the lies will be vital for you to make it." The floor started to shake once more causing Dean to loose balance. He fell to his knees feeling the vibrations rumble through him. It was true what they said when you lose one sense the others are heightened. Cobbled stone, or cracked stone. It was cold, unnaturally so and he could swear he could smell…fear…isolation…he was in the dungeons, the execution pit where he would have been killed by the hunters if Zachariah had his own way. Ok so that meant that Sam was in the viewing area…ok that wasn't so hard.

"The room is not what is seems," Anna called out as if she had just been reading his thoughts. "You may know where you are but the environment is unfamiliar." Perfect just what he wanted to be doing with his day walking around blind in what potentially could be a death trap just waiting to happen. "When you are ready to begin take your first step forward."

Dean drew in a deep breath; he could do this. It wasn't so hard. He just needed to take a step forward like she said…wait…could he trust her? Yes, she defended him against Zachariah, she might be the head of the were council but what did he know about her? She was there to test him…not guide him…

…

Sam gripped the metal railing tightly, his eyes peering down at his mate who seemed to be lost in thought. His own green eyes were staring out blankly before him the colour dulled by the sudden loss of vision. His teeth bit into his lip causing it to bleed however the pain helped to ground him. He couldn't stop staring at the silver dagger that was placed at Dean's knee level a step in front of him. One small movement could end everything they had worked so hard for the past couple of hours. He was restraining himself from calling out, he couldn't interfere, Dean had to work this out for himself at least that was what Anna had told him. She didn't say however that the Alpha would be blinded and left utterly helpless and naked for everyone to see.

Beside him Mary was clutching hold of one of his arms, her eyes were wide and panicked. John was to the other side of her, his expression tight, he had told them moments previously the last were that had been put through this kind of trail had ended up permanently blind in one eye. Sam prayed that wouldn't be the case with Dean, his Alpha already had a lot on his plate as it was without adding that on top of him. He could feel Dean's nerves through their bond and he longed to reach out and reassure him.

'I love you,' he sent out to the Alpha whose head inclined at the words. He could see a small smile on Dean's face as he slowly nodded seeming to come to a decision.

'I love you too Sammy,' Dean replied.

"Take one step forward and we can start," Anna reiterated.

"No," Dean called out taking a step back confidently. "We already have started," he added his face lifting up towards them though his unfocused gaze was directed miles away from where they were standing.

Sam watched as a bright smile crossed Anna's face. It seemed that she was routing for the Alpha as much as they were, it was nice to see someone on Dean's side for once in their lives. She clapped her hands together and hung her body over the railings, all around her the rest of the council and the pack were watching with bated breath. "Very good Alpha Dean," Anna commented the smile fading slightly from her face like she realised that she was meant to be an impartial judge. "The route you choose is in your hands like the route you will choose for the pack. From here on out the only voices you will hear are from the ones you call your family, do you trust them to guide you or do you trust yourself?"

Bobby, Ellen and John pushed to the front of the line ready to do their part. Each had been instructed and debriefed before the trial had started, ready to do their part. Sam himself had no idea what was going to happen all he had been told was that he could not get involved or risk Dean forfeiting his claim. So for now he had to be content to just watch and pray that his Alpha would be able to get through this in one piece.

…

Dean was beginning to hate the darkness; he was beginning to hate everything about this day. Why couldn't they just be like yep you are a wolf so here's the title. His life was never simple no matter what he done. So here he was blind in front of his pack with no idea what was lying in front of him. Though he understood the message, in life you are always blind and have no idea what is around the corner so it was important to have trust in yourself and those closest to you. Some philosophical bullshit he supposed. Still there was no use complaining, his life sucked he just needed to get over it.

Focusing his mind Dean allowed his senses to wonder, he could hear his pack's breathing and slight chatter above him, he could hear the whirring of some kind of generator or a machine to which he wasn't sure, he could feel a breeze wrapping around his naked body and he knew for a fact that the only ventilation was in the viewing area above him. So that meant that he was either closer than he thought or they had modified the room somehow.

Dean released the breath he didn't know he had been holding and reached his arms out to the side of him. Ok he couldn't feel anything brush against his fingers, he must be in the middle of the room. Going forward apparently was a bad idea so that left either behind him or to the side. Slowly he lowered his body into a crouch, he moved his hands in front of him wanting to know whether his theory was right. Stretching slightly, he could feel the tip of a sharp object push against his fingertips. A blade then. Hearing the pack's collective wince had him pulling his hand back quickly, silver than, faking a reaction he pretended that it had burnt though in reality he felt nothing. Nodding his head, he pushed himself to his feet, yep forward was defiantly a bad idea. He took another step back hesitating to see whether anything was going to happen but he seemed to be in the clear. Mentally he attempted to paint a picture in his head of the room, it had been a while since he had been down here, his father not liking to use the chamber only in extreme cases. The last one had been ten years ago when one of the were's attempted to kill Dean. He had been a teenager at that point though so his memory was a little sketchy.

He turned to his left and paused for a moment, shaking his head he turned to his right instead something telling him that it wasn't safe the other way. Knowing he had to trust his instincts he took a step forward, his hands moving to reach out in front of him. Two steps in and his palms pressed flat to a concrete wall, ok maybe he hadn't been in the centre as he had first thought. He felt the cold stone convinced that it was indeed the real wall and not some fake one created to confuse him. He lifted his head up hoping that some sort of inspiration would hit him.

"There are two ways ahead of you," Bobby's voice called out, calm and collected. "The right one is safe and the left one has hot coals on the floor." Dean frowned of course they didn't want to make this easy for him at all. Right so what did he know about the other Alpha? Bobby had a temper and when he was angry his voice got deeper, he also had a soft side for his son so his voice would adopt his usual accent slightly more exaggerated. When he was lying however? Dean had been on the other end of Bobby more times that he would like to count, each one had led to them almost ending in a fist fight so if they were going to give him anyone to trust it would be Bobby. For an Alpha to completely trust another Alpha that wasn't their pack Alpha was almost unheard of, their biology went against it.

Going with this theory Dean placed his hands out in front of him, walking forward he found the fake wall that seemed to be acting as some sort of a divide. He gripped it with his right hand and stalled for a second, how sure was he? Shaking his head, he pulled himself out of his thoughts he couldn't afford to doubt himself. Not this time. He turned his body so that he was sure he was facing the right path and not about to walk into the wall, he bet that would give the pack endless amusement. He took a step forward ignoring the quick breaths coming from those above him, he needed to have faith in himself. When his foot was met with nothing but stone he continued to walk, a smile on his face when he realised that he had idea made the right decision. His hands brushed the wall offering little guidance.

The wall suddenly came to an end with his hands reaching at nothing but air making him feel off balance. He could feel the breeze getting closer causing goose bumps to run the length of his body and he could just imagine the sight his cock and knot would make. Just what he wanted everyone to see.

"STOP!" John's voice boomed out laced with the power of the pack Alpha, instantly Dean's feet froze mid stride his body obeying his Alpha's orders without question. "Turn around son, you need to turn back," John's words hummed through his body and he could feel his legs turn without his permission. "Take the left path back you are done," John continued sounding strained as if the words were hurting him as much as it would hurt Dean.

Gritting his teeth Dean attempted to drown out the command, he could feel his body responding taking him to the path that would mean he would fail. He had not got this far just to fall now, he had not been beaten and blinded just so that he could give into his Alpha and fail. He was better than that.

Biting his lip, he forced his legs to stop, his whole body shaking with the need to go down the left path, to obey and not disappoint his Alpha. He felt like he was being torn in two, his body wanted him to go one way while his mind wanted him to go another. It was a battle of strengths inside of him and he was not sure what would win. All his life he had been told that he was as stubborn and headstrong as his father so now was the time to prove them right. Clenching his hands into fists he forced his body to turn. "I SAID LEFT PATH!" John's shouted. The power behind the words had Dean falling to his knees, his hands reached out in front of him not realising how close to the coals he really was. He smelt the burn before he felt it. Yelping he pulled his hand back, the smell of burnt skin making him gag though he held his nerve. No that didn't count, he muttered to himself. That was a fall rather than a wrong judgement. He waited for a second, cradling his burnt left hand in his right though no one said anything. Game still on then he supposed.

Mentally swearing he pushed his shaking body to his feet, feeling the need to turn back start to overwhelm him. He forced his legs forward and away from the coals, with every step he took he could feel a weight on his shoulders begin to push down on him. He was literally being crushed by the force of his father's command though he still continued to walk. His burnt hand was throbbing and he could feel pieces of his skin literally floating in the breeze. Right now he was grateful that he didn't have his sight. The smell alone was bad enough.

He made it a couple more steps before his legs gave way underneath him, the pressure becoming too much. Clenching his jaw he began to crawl needing to get away from the coals, he was not going to let himself down here. He was going to get through this even if it killed him. His burnt hand screamed out in pain as he placed it on the ground, he could feel his blood slipping on the stone beneath him however he continued.

Above him he could hear the pack start to protest, what a sight he must have made for them. They really had seen him at his worst by now. He could feel John's threatening growl wrap around his body holding him into position this time for his own safety. He froze where he was kneeling bringing his hand back close into his chest. The darkness still surrounded him although he was starting to be able to make out vague blurred silhouettes of shapes in front of him. Good must meant that his healing abilities were starting to kick in, for his eyes at least he might have to wait longer for his hand, just great. It wasn't like he had planned on eating any time soon, at least not with the horrific smell that was floating around him.

"Relax son," John's voice called down to him gently and instantly Dean felt the great pressure push off of his shoulders causing his body to fall to the floor. His hand flew out in front of him and he hissed as his abused skin was ripped even more. His limbs were shaking and his head was pounding but he still refused to give up. Pushing past these feelings and running on pure adrenaline he forced his legs to a standing position. In front of him he could see what he thought was some kind of secondary divide with an object of some sort blocking each way though he could not make out the details. The breeze still floating around seemed to be coming from the right passage whether or not that was a good sign he did not know.

Suddenly the ground began to shake once more. Dean threw his body into the nearest wall, slamming his shoulder hard against the stone in the process. Above him he felt something fall but he didn't know what. His pack was shouting out, ok this seemed like it had not been planned. A cracking noise echoed around him.

Dean shook his head trying to regain his vision to no avail. The ground stopped shaking. Glass smashed all around him with his good hand lifting up to protect his face as he threw himself back onto the ground. He could feel the pieces litter his skin, ok maybe it had been a window rather than a wall he had found.

"DEAN!" Sam was calling to him.

Dean sensed someone push their way through the he assumed now broken window. He could feel the person hoovering above him.

"This is going to be easy…" came a voice he instantly recognised…

TBC (Another long chapter you lucky lot! So who is the mystery intruder? Thank you so much for reading, I am genuinely loving writing this verse! Please let me know what you thought and I will see you all in Chapter Thirty Two!)