#Chambers Creek Properties

[lahilden]

Peles Castle

Peleș Castle is located at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains in the town of Sinaia in Prohova County, Romania. King Carol I of Romania built the Neo-Renaissance castle from 1873 to 1883; it was under his reign that the country gained its independence. Along with the castle, the king commissioned a royal summer retreat, a hunting lodge, royal stables, guards’ chambers, an Economat building, and a power plant on the estate. Peleș Castle was the world’s first to be fully powered by locally produced energy. The castle went through later additions throughout its history and was once seized by the Communist regime. The castle was closed from 1975 to 1990, but after the December 1989 Revolution the castle was re-established as a heritage site and reopened to the public. The castle boasts 160 ornate rooms carrying themes from cultures around the world. The rooms are lavishly decorated with wall and ceiling frescoes by Gustav Klimt and Franz von Matsch, Murano crystal chandeliers, German stained-glass windows, Cordoba leather covered walls, carved teak furniture in the Music room, and a 4,000 piece collection of arms and armor are displayed in the Armory. The castle also has a movie theater and a Turkish salon. The property has seven Italian neo-Renaissance terrace gardens made mostly of Carrara marble, while the gardens have statues, fountains, stairways, and marble paths. Peleș Creek runs through the courtyard, while a towering statue of King Carol I overlooks the main entrance. Peleș Castle is open to the public for guided tours and serves as the Peleș National Museum.

#castles #peles castle #romania #Prohava county #sinaia #Bucegi mountains #museum

[scotianostra]

On September 7th 1815, explorer John McDouall Stuart was born in Dysart, Fife.

Descended from a family steeped in military service, Stuart was born in  in a sixteenth-century home which now houses a museum in his honour, as seen in the pic.  He was the son of army captain William Stuart and his wife Mary (née McDouall). Orphaned in his early teens, he attended the Scottish Naval and Military Academy, Edinburgh, and graduated as a civil engineer.

At the age of 23 he embarked on the Indus from Dundee, arriving at Holdfast Bay, South Australia, in January 1839. He entered the Government Survey Department and, despite primitive conditions in survey camps, found that nomadic life in the bush appealed to him. A man of small stature, his life became a constant battle against ill health and poverty. Assigned as draughtsman for the 1844-46 expedition of Captain Charles Sturt into the interior, Stuart gained valuable experience and received his leader’s full approbation. Sturt’s failure to reach the centre of the continent inspired Stuart’s later achievements.

Returning to Adelaide in January 1846, Stuart was incapacitated with scurvy for twelve months and moved to Port Lincoln for health reasons, while recovering he worked for fellow Scot and shipmate James Sinclair on his properties and tutored the Sinclair children. 

In 1854 William Finke and the Chambers brothers, James and John, engaged him to survey leases and prospect for minerals in the northern Flinders Ranges. Between May 1858 and January 1860 Stuart led three expeditions into the Lake Eyre region, seeking new grazing lands and minerals for his sponsors.

In contrast to Sturt, Stuart travelled quickly with limited supplies. Horses were his only means of conveyance. On his first attempt to cross the continent, he reached the geographical centre of Australia on 22nd April 1860, accompanied by two companions and twelve horses --- a feat later described as ‘the greatest and pluckiest exploration ever accomplished’. He tried again the following year but it was not until 1862 that he finally made it to the northern shore.

In poor health Stuart returned to England in 1864, nearly blind and with a broken constitution. He died on 5th June 1866, a forgotten hero. He was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, London, with a memorial stone erected by his sister Mary.

As a result of Stuart’s expeditions, the nature of the Red Centre was revealed, South Australia gained control of and settled the Northern Territory, and vast areas of the interior were opened up for European settlement. In 1872 the Adelaide-to-Darwin Overland Telegraph Line was completed along Stuart’s route. 

His statue was erected in Victoria Square, Adelaide in 1904 and Central Mount Stuart, the Stuart Highway and Stuart Range are named in his honour. The John McDouall Stuart Society was founded in 1964 by descendants of his companions to perpetuate his name and achievements. 

A second statue of Stuart can be found  in Alice Spring. The statue has been hounded by controversy since it was gifted to the Alice Springs Town Council in 2010, with some saying the work is culturally insensitive.  Protests accuse him of not asking permission to enter the land and of killing Arrernte people."You came to Mount Hay and you killed our mob," a letter from  Aboriginal elders said. "You went to Attack Creek and you killed more of our mob. This is murder and we can't forget it." it continued. 

The Australian  Aboriginal singer Warren H Williams also spoke at a protest rally, mocking the size of the gun and calling for the statue to be removed.

"This fella has destroyed both Arrernte and Warramungu [people]...look at the statue, it's a big gun," he said.

"They put a statue up of him, but never asked anybody, even the white people in this town if they can put it up..."

#Scotland #scottish #australia #exploration #explorer #history

[muskokafarm]

Muskoka Farm Pre Training

The thoroughbred breeding industry makes a significant contribution to Australia’s regional economy. Stallion fees and sales profits are the major contributors and support thousands of jobs.

Muskoka Farm is a world class spelling and pre-training facility located on the Hawkesbury River. This 280 acre property is near national parks and surrounded by natural bushland. To know more about pre training, visit the Muskoka Farm website or call [phone].

Located in Gunderman, on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, Muskoka Farm pre training is a world class spelling and training facility with an outstanding reputation. It is a favorite of the nation’s top trainers and has been home to a number of Group 1 winners including Emancipation, Diamond Shower, Marauding, Sir Dapper, Bint Marscay and Circles Of Gold.

The 280-acre property offers a variety of lucrative options for potential buyers, from breaking and pre-training to spelling and agistment. Its impressive facilities include a 2.4-kilometre crusher dust track, an 800-meter straight and two-kilometre grass track for pace work, as well as a 16-horse walker and high speed treadmill.

Star Hong Kong raider Dan Excel arrived at Muskoka Farm yesterday morning, following a quarantine stint at Eastern Creek ahead of October’s Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m). John Moore’s galloper was in fine condition upon his arrival and wasted little time returning to work in preparation for the Moonee Valley feature.

Anyone considering race horse ownership may have a lot of questions. The best way to get the answers you need is to research thoroughly, read trade publications, review websites, visit race tracks and talk to people who have experience with race horses.

A world class thoroughbred facility, Muskoka Farm offers a unique horse breeding and pre-training service for the racehorse industry. The 280 acre property is located in Wisemans Ferry, NSW. It features a two-bedroom guest house, 24-hour helipad, jetty/ponton, tennis court, large outdoor pool, and dozens of day yards.

Bob and Wendy Lapointe have placed their renowned spelling and training complex, Muskoka Farm, on the market. The property will be sold through Inglis’ Livestock and Rural Property division. In the past, Muskoka has bred and prepared many of the country’s top gallopers including Emancipation, Diamond Shower, Sir Dapper, Bint Marscay, Circles Of Gold, Dance Hero and Grand Armee. It has also trained and spelled a number of Group 1 winners, including Iron Horse and Marauding.

The facilities at Muskoka Farm are world class, making it a popular choice for many top trainers. They have a high-tech treadmill and private jetty/ponton, as well as large outdoor pool. They also have a 24-hour helipad and staff cottages.

The thoroughbred breeding industry makes a significant contribution to Australia’s regional economy. It also provides thousands of jobs in related industries. The breeding and racing of race horses is a labor-intensive activity that requires skilled and experienced people to manage it effectively.

One of the country’s premier pre-training facilities, Muskoka Farm, is located in Gunderman on the Hawkesbury River. Its 280-acre facility offers breaking, training, spelling and agistment services. In addition to its state-of-the-art training track, the facility features five stable barns with 58 stables, a 2.4-kilometer crusher dust track, and an 800-meter straight. It also has a hyperbaric oxygen chamber that promotes wound healing after races. The farm is a favorite of many top trainers and has a reputation for producing Group 1 winners.

The thoroughbred breeding industry makes a major contribution to Australia’s regional economy and provides thousands of jobs across related industries. It is vital for horses to be broken properly to prevent behavioural problems later in life.

Muskoka Farm is one of the leading spelling and pre-training complexes in Sydney and has a long history of producing winning racehorses. It is a world class facility offering breaking, pre-training, spelling, agistment and a registered AQIS quarantine facility.

Located on the Hawkesbury River, the property has five stable barns with 58 stables, 27 day yards for horses in work and 63 individually fenced spelling paddocks. The property also has a two-kilometre grass track for pace work, a 16 horse treadmill and barriers, along with a 2.4 kilometre crusher dust training track.

The property has a three-phase power supply, fail safe water supply, indoor arena, outdoor pool, helipad, four bedroom main homestead, guest house and facility manager’s cottage. Expressions of interest close Monday 9 May. To know more about pre training, visit the Muskoka Farm website or call [phone].

#horse spelling and training #horse breakers nsw #horse spelling #horse breakers victoria #race horse training australia #pre training #horse training nsw #horse training lismore

[holiday-factory]

Find Your Next Escape: Premier Destinations in Dubai's Holiday Packages

Dubai, a city of opulence and innovation, is a premier destination for travelers seeking a blend of modern luxury and traditional charm. With its iconic skyline, desert landscapes, and a myriad of attractions, Dubai offers an unforgettable experience. In this blog, we will explore some of the top destinations in Dubai that promise to make your escape truly exceptional. Holiday Factory offers the best holiday packages from Dubai.

Burj Khalifa

No visit to Dubai is complete without ascending the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. Take the elevator to the observation deck and be treated to panoramic views of the city, its futuristic architecture, and the vast Arabian Desert. A sunset visit is particularly magical as the city's lights come to life. Book the most affordable holiday packages.

The Palm Jumeirah

A man-made wonder, the Palm Jumeirah is an iconic palm-shaped island housing some of Dubai's most luxurious resorts and beachfront properties. Whether you're staying at one of these resorts or simply visiting for a day at the beach, the Palm Jumeirah is a must-see destination.

Dubai Mall

For shoppers and entertainment enthusiasts, Dubai Mall is a paradise. Besides housing over 1,300 retail outlets, the mall features attractions like the Dubai Aquarium, an ice skating rink, and the mesmerizing Dubai Fountain show that takes place in the evenings.

The Desert Safari

Escape the urban hustle and immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of the Arabian Desert. A desert safari is an adventure of a lifetime, offering opportunities for dune bashing, camel rides, and even stargazing at night.

Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is a vibrant waterfront community, known for its stunning skyline, luxury yachts, and a wide array of dining options. Take a leisurely stroll along the promenade or embark on a relaxing boat tour to soak in the picturesque views.

The Dubai Opera

If you're a fan of the performing arts, be sure to check the schedule at the Dubai Opera. This architectural marvel hosts world-class performances, from opera and ballet to concerts and theater productions.

Jumeirah Mosque

Experience the rich cultural heritage of Dubai by visiting the Jumeirah Mosque. This stunning example of Islamic architecture is open to non-Muslims, offering guided tours that provide insights into the local customs and traditions.

Old Dubai

To delve into Dubai's history and culture, head to Old Dubai. Explore the Al Fahidi Historic Neighborhood, visit the Dubai Museum housed in an ancient fort, and take a traditional abra (water taxi) ride along the Dubai Creek.

Atlantis, The Palm

Another jewel of the Palm Jumeirah is Atlantis, The Palm resort. Even if you're not staying here, you can visit its famous Aquaventure Waterpark and Lost Chambers Aquarium for a day of family-friendly fun. Holiday Factory is the best travel agency in Dubai.

Dubai Miracle Garden

For a burst of colors and natural beauty, visit the Dubai Miracle Garden during its season (usually November to April). This enchanting garden is home to over 150 million flowers, showcasing intricate floral designs.

Dubai, with its blend of modernity and tradition, offers a myriad of premier destinations that cater to every traveler's desires. Whether you seek luxury, adventure, culture, or relaxation, Dubai has something to offer. From the heights of the Burj Khalifa to the depths of the Arabian Desert, this city is a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences, making it the perfect escape for those seeking the extraordinary. Holiday Factory, established in 2011, has firmly established itself as the premier online package tour operator in the UAE. Over the years, we have proudly received multiple awards for our groundbreaking approach to travel, marked by our unbeatable holiday packages and top-notch services. As a proud member of the esteemed German Group, our reputation has been built upon a foundation of expertise, unwavering commitment to excellence, and an unwavering passion for the world of travel.

#best travel agency in Dubai #affordable holiday packages #holiday packages from Dubai #holiday packages Dubai #Holiday Factory #holiday package

[ledenews]

#Gruzinskas #Krishna #MarshallCounty #NewVrindaban #UpperOhioValley #WestVirginia

[waterworkscanada22]

Sewer Line Repair Or Substitute In Winnipeg Manitoba

Catch basins and culverts meant to divert the creek’s move beneath the sewer pipe have been usually blocked by leaf particles and sediment carried by the creek. The retaining wall on the west facet of the sewer pipe crossing had also deteriorated and was creating an added danger of the pipe breaking. The sanitary sewer system collects wastewater from your house via a pipe known toronto sewer as a sanitary lateral. Each yr, approximately sixty five kilometres of sewer pipe is cleaned throughout Georgina. The majority of the time, residents usually are not aware this work is taking place. Given that sewer pipe cleansing is routine maintenance work where there are no service disruptions, no notice of disruption of service is offered.

To guarantee the safety and health of you and your family, make sure to practice routine septic tank maintenance (inspection, cleaning, pumping, and repair). Septic backup can sewer repair be dangerous; backed up water could leach into your water supply, doubtlessly contaminating potable water. Our septic system repairs may embrace putting in back-water valves to forestall backflow.

This consists of but is not restricted to asphalt, concrete, paving stones, vegetation, gravel, decorative rock or different options. Protective covers are required when the sanitary or storm sewer inspection chamber is in a travelled space or inside 2m of a driveway. If the inspection chambers are sewer backup not protected and turn out to be broken, a sanitary or storm backup into your home is feasible resulting in important property damage.

Some companies really go the additional mile for his or her prospects, while others are only in it to grab your cash and go. A sewer alternative is a very big job and we strongly recommend discovering sewer camera inspection toronto an organization that does good work. Tree roots are one of many top exterior causes of issues with your sewer traces. Tree roots are interested in the… ummm, “fertilizer”… within the wastewater.

A new pipe is then pulled via the existing pipe, which bursts the old pipe into pieces while concurrently laying new pipe. If any of the above is the case for your sewer line, then sewer repair or substitute might be needed, and to do sewage repair this, there are a few options to select from. To avoid such issues, should you expertise any of the above, call Eco Pro Plumbing and Drains and request a sewer camera inspection to get the situation assessed.

The same rules for flushables apply to houses with on-site systems (septic tanks and fields). The above items don't shortly biodegrade and therefore take up space—and they might intrude with the conventional operation within the tank and tank maintenance. If Code violations or signs of attainable future problems are detected, then the Inspector will comply with up on these toronto sewage matters with the owner. This may involve enterprise some or all of the steps pertaining to Phase II maintenance inspections. Once you've accomplished the work, please notify us at  and we'll full a re-inspection. An extension may be granted or an Order to Comply beneath the Building Code Act may be issued if the Inspector determines that the required work has not been completed.

An alarm may be added to a backwater valve to provide you with a warning that the valve has been engaged and is limiting circulate back toward your basement. When you hear the alarm and if you see that the valve is engaged, it means that the backwater valve is working as it should. Do not bathe, flush toilets or wash clothes till the system has returned to routine functioning, as further water will not flow out of the residence when the valve is engaged. You can resume routine use when the alarm and the backwater valve are now not engaged. Backwater valves have been necessary in new houses after 2004 (stormwater) and 2012 (sanitary), however some older properties have had them put in retroactively. The City will rebate as much as a most of each of the person rebates available at the time of the submission of Part 1 of the application type.

This is as a result of chemical drain cleaners include ingredients like sulfuric acid and/or sodium hydroxide. A fourth profit is that your substitute line is (or should be) much better quality than the unique. In the last 50 years, piping materials have moved on considerably. HDPE isn't only inert - that means that it doesn't react with sewage - however it’s additionally extremely sturdy and versatile, making it ideal to be used underground. The materials can bend and weave as the bottom strikes, remaining intact, even beneath excessive stress.

[contractorwalnutcreek]

Tips For Working With a General Specialist

Whether you're preparing a big range task like constructing a brand-new house, or you require repair services for a smaller task, employing a general specialist can be a wonderful means to make certain that the work will be done effectively. General contractors frequently have a wide range of experience, as well as are able to coordinate a number of subcontractors to complete the task in a timely way. They will also have the abilities as well as resources to deal with unexpected troubles that develop throughout the construction process.

You can be positive that the work will certainly be finished on time as well as within budget. Home remodeling ca can manage many different elements of the job, consisting of working with the job of other individuals, managing suppliers, as well as handling suppliers. If you employ a specialist, the agreement you sign ought to explain the services to be supplied and the timeline for completion. Furthermore, it should spell out the regards to settlement. Your contractor ought to also provide you with a warranty, which covers any kind of problems that might occur as a result of the job. This can be an useful device for protecting against conflicts. You ought to additionally make sure that the firm you work with is accredited to do business in your state.

The certificate must likewise be present, as well as you should ask for evidence of insurance policy. It's additionally a good concept to ask for referrals from people you know that have worked with a certain contractor. An additional aspect to take into consideration is the firm's credibility. Search for walnut creek builders that have strong ranking on better business bureau. Also, inspect to see whether the contractor has any type of covert costs or costs. Be sure to request an in-depth quote of the price of the task. You should additionally make sure that you obtain several proposals on the task. This will certainly assist make sure that you get the best rate feasible. Additionally, you might do the work on your own. Nonetheless, this can be an uphill struggle, and sometimes, you may not get the outcomes you want.

Hiring a specialist is one of the most reliable method of getting high-grade work done on your house. Choosing a professional is a significant investment, and you ought to make certain to study all of your options before picking. Contact your neighborhood chamber of commerce or the Better Business Bureau to locate reputable business. Ask for a contract in creating, and be sure to contrast quotes from different service providers. An excellent general specialist will have the ability to take care of the whole procedure from start to finish.

To keep the job promptly as well as on budget plan, it is essential to comprehend what your professional's responsibilities are. These include the target dates for finishing the job, the routine for finishing the work, the prices of the work, and the repayments to be made. Having this info in composing is essential, as it can stop arguments as well as misconceptions. Having a warranty can conserve you a lot of cash later on. It safeguards you versus unforeseen problems, and also can be a massive property when you have a disagreement with your contractor. Check out this post that has expounded more on this topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contractor.

[realitylong]

Iscribe md

WMU-Residence Life,, Kalamazoo, MI WMU-Sindecuse,, Kalamazoo, MI YWCA,, Grand Rapids, MI Zoetis,, Kalamazoo, MIĪkzo Nobel, Pontiac, MI Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: Summer Undergraduate Research Program, Spring Harbor, NY Department of Environmental Quality, Kalamazoo, MI Department of Natural Resources, Drug and Laboratory Disposal, Plainwell, MI Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland German Academic Exchange Service, Bonn, Germany Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS), Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement, Kalamazoo, MI Metalloid Corporation, Sturgis, MI National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA Pfizer, Kalamazoo, MI Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy,, Galesburg, MI Vestaron,, Kalamazoo, MI Woodsedge Learning Center, Portage, MIĪcademy for Health Services Research and Health Policy, Washington, D.C. Upjohn Center, Urban Strategies Group,, Orland Park, IL US Chamber of Commerce,, Washington, D.C. The Washington Office on Latin America,, Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian Institution,, Washington, D.C. The National Park Service,, Washington, D.C. The National Museum of Natural History,, Washington, D.C. Portage Public Schools,, Portage, MI Quinault Indian Reservation, Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society,, Douglas, MI South Bend Center for History,, South Bend, IN tDAR (The Digital Archaeological Record),, Tempe, AZ The Middle East Institute,, Washington, D.C. Overseas Private Investment Corporation,, Washington, D.C. Organization of American States,, Washington, D.C. Kalamazoo Valley Museum,, Kalamazoo, MI Kingman Museum,, Battle Creek, MI Lennox Island PEI Canada, / National Forest Service,, Washington, D.C. Joseph Archaeological Project,, Niles, MI Gap Medics, Grand Rapids Public Museum,, Grand Rapids, MI Grassroots International,, Cambridge, MA Hiawatha National Forest,, Gladstone, MI Institute for Field Research,, Los Angeles, CA International Monetary Fund,, Washington, D.C. Cultural Survival,, HQ in Cambridge, MA Earthwatch,, Allston, MA Fort St. High School,, Climax, MI Colonial Williamsburg,, Williamsburg, VA Council on Hemispheric Affairs,, Washington, D.C. Taxes, fees not included for deals content.Air Zoo,, Portage, MI Amnesty International, CARE,, Atlanta, GA Climax-Scotts Jr./Sr. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding this matter, you are welcome to contact our customer support team.īusinessYab is not a booking agent, and does not charge any service fees to users of our site.īusinessYab is not responsible for content on external web sites. The brand names, logos, images and texts are the property of these third parties and their respective owners. BusinessYab cannot be held responsible or liable for the accuracy, correctness, usefulness or reliability of the data. The content displayed in the BusinessYab Directory consists of information from third parties, among others from publicly accessible sources, or from customers, who have a presentation page in our directory. © 2022 All Rights reserved.Īt BusinessYab our purpose is to help people find great local businesses like dentists, hair stylists, restaurants, bars, hotels, local businesses.

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[myblog123jazz]

Management Plan for Stormwater Adelaide

 The Brown Hill Creek Stormwater Project has been a cooperative endeavor by the catchment gatherings to foster a Stormwater The board Plan (SMP). The extension and intricacy of the arrangement are to such an extent that it must be conveyed successfully and productively by the five boards working cooperatively through a solitary substance.

The Chambers have thusly settled the Earthy colored Slope and Keswick Streams Stormwater Board as a local auxiliary to co-ordinate conveyance of the SMP. Execution of the arrangement will alleviate serious flood dangers and assist with shielding properties across the catchment.

The Earthy colored Slope and Keswick Streams Stormwater Board contains five free individuals named by the Constituent Gatherings and is liable for organizing conveyance of the arrangement. A sanction oversees the issues of the Board by setting out its motivation, works and powers, including administration arrangements.

https://bhkcstormwater.com.au/

[cincycinner]

CHAPTER 5 EARLY

     5

After Alford was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2055, at the age of 33, many people in the scientific community were anxiously sitting and waiting to see what great achievement Alford had in store for the world next. Even Alford himself assumed he would need no time at all to brighten his star even more. Indeed, his star did brighten. He both started his own vibrant research and development firm and became a crucial member of a government organization that aimed at curtailing the many splendiferous effects that rapid technologization had wrought on the world.

Yet no matter what wavelength of time, the years pass quickly and over his career Alford did many respectable things for science, but nothing that garnered the respect and intrigue like creating life from scratch had.

During these less illustrious years Alford did do one thing he was very proud of. He bought a plot of land just outside of Princeton University and constructed the state of the art research laboratory that he had always dreamed. The laboratory was painstakingly built by contractors that had to listen to every minutia of Alford’s master vision for his grand personal playground for tinkering with the universe. The state of the art building was built behind, but connected to, a 19th century built house that Alford and his family came to call home. The ‘complex’, as Alford called it, was placed on 5 acres of wooded land that even included a penetrating creek that bristled across the length of the property and gnarled pines that looked like they had withstood the storms of time with many stories to tell stored between each historic ring.

The outer hallway of the complex had outer walls made of glass that allowed anyone on the inside clear, beautiful views of both nature and the night sky. The outer hallway encompassed an inner square of rooms and laboratories of various purposes that were, for all intensive purposes, all of the greatest things the world had to offer in the scientific realm. One could work on particle physics in one lab while simultaneously monitoring the growth stages of a genetically modified batch of microbes ready to be flash frozen in the chemically cooled temperature chamber that often allowed Alford to run his tests at near Absolute Zero temperature.

The home attached to Alford’s lab was incredibly beautiful. Red brick, roman pillars, and beautiful craftsmanship on the interior wood paneling of the steps made Eileen and Maddie immediately fall in love with it. Yet, to Alford, it was his complex that was truly breathtaking and loveable.

Sadly, while Maddie and Eileen were busy in the world of a family, Alford was never truly able to release himself from the dreams of the world he wanted to bring to fruition. As time passed more and more of Alford’s free hours became working hours. He was spending a disproportionate amount of time inside the complex as opposed to his house. There were more and more nights occurring where Eileen slept alone with Alford toiling away, dinner uneaten, a family life vacated.

How Alford did not notice his paternal failures had started to reach his father’s heights shall go down as a historical mystery. His father had etched in him the very burning that made him both great as a scientist, and terrible at anything beyond the scope of science. Where Alford’s father Michael was drunk on ethyl-alcohol, he was drunk on the idea that knowledge of the unknown filled the void in his soul while the known quantity, his family, slipped further and further from his universe-stretching grasp.

Alford was not a jovial man. He was a calculator in a man’s body. Many of his peers in the scientific community found him to be unemotional, distant, arrogant, hard to please, and even harder to talk to. Eventually the fervor over his discovery and achievement faded, and along with it, the celebrity status Alford had initially obtained from it. His grants began to dry up and Alford found himself footing the bill way more than half of the time for his scientific endeavors. Not that money mattered. What money Alford may have needed before and after he became a world famous scientist was all but delivered to him when he married into the Schmidt family, only one of the wealthiest families the Eastern Coast of the US had to offer.

Alford’s laboratory complex was a beautiful work of scientific ingenuity, but even though Alford’s areas of expertise, research, and knowledge were far and away the best the research world had to offer, what was once a bustling complex full of associates, interns, students, and scientists, soon dwindled as ties became severed, relationships became strained, students graduated, and the clout that Alford’s name and pedigree had drawn became less virulent. Not to mention, the only person that seemed to be willing to work for free was Alford himself. In his mind Alford’s productivity continued to skyrocket, while in reality, his human life crashed and burned.  

Some of the people and colleagues that he thought were friends became distant and hard to reach. Without other people coming around the house the relationship between Eileen and Alford became tenuous and, for Eileen, unbearable. She couldn’t bear letting her daughter see her parents bickering. Moreover, Eileen could no longer fight a man who refused to lose an argument. His wife divorced him because of ‘irreconcilable differences’ and moved out, with Maddie, in the spring of 2067. 

In the late fall of 2067 Alford’s father collapsed from a stroke that left him alive, but unconscious. Michael Alford lived another four days after his stroke. Utterly                                           k,  98AAS likely out of duty than contrition.

Eileen did not show up to Alford’s father’s funeral, she had met another man in Philadelphia. His name was Matthew Tisdale, although, Alford didn’t really care who he was. Tisdale was a successful, affluent lawyer, though not Eileen’s divorce lawyer, and when Alford met him he even found Eileen’s new love interest likeable. He told himself he was glad they were divorcing because it left him even more time to work in his laboratory. He told himself she would come back.

The funeral on October 10th, 2067 for Michael James Alford, born on May 21st of the year 1997, was a small, well planned out funeral that was enacted as efficiently as Alford believed such a situation called for. The readings talked of reaping what you sow, and of the great existence that good men came to when they expired from the earth. The priest expressed both sadness and great hope over the loss of men.

The death of his father left Alford feeling bare to the wind in a way. He had no doubts that he had proven his father to be a fool for having such ill wishes towards his son. Michael had always made Alford fear and feel inferior while he was a child. Alford’s intelligence had been his life’s denial of this concept. Would Alford have become so great with a father less irate and drunk than Michael had been?

Alford’s success certified his firm belief in the manifest destiny that had come to dominate his life, but this success never prostrated his father. Michael never sought reconciliation with his only son. No achievement could woo Michael Alford away from his alcoholism just as no alcoholic father could have swayed Alford away from his scholastic and scientific achievements.  The two were inseparably and irreparably intertwined inside each other’s reason to live.

Nevertheless, Alford buried his father in the designated plot of land graciously laid out next to his mother, as well as countless members from his father’s lineage. Here Alford caught a glimpse of his inevitable mortality. Alford knew he was smart enough to cheat and out maneuver death, but not arrogant enough to believe he could become completely invincible to it. He knew one day he would be laid down next to his father, and no one would know the disputes and turmoils between the two, only the kinship and similarities of their name and bones.

[maritimeorca]

From the archives Via Flickr: Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) at Chambers Creek Properties

#Animal #Bird #Chambers Creek Properties #Columba livia #Introduced #Pigeon #Rock Pigeon #Pierce County #Washington

[simshousewindsor]

THE 2021 G5 SUMMIT IS IN SESSION

The top 5 Sims World Leaders met in Willow Creek today for the annual G5 Summit. Posing on the steps of the Willow Creek Capitol for the official portrait from left to right, Emperor Chief Tupola Boulle of Sulani, King George Windsor I of The United Kingdom of Windenburg and the Commonwealths, President Paulina McNally of The United States of Willow Creek, Emperor Akio Liu of Mt Komorebi, and King Felipe Monaco III of The United Nations of Oasis Springs.

This years summit is being hosted by Willow Creek. The leaders met Willow Creek Senator Kamala Webber and Speaker of the House Pete Buttigieg during their tour of the Senate and House chambers.

The leaders then headed to The White House for lunch.

President McNally and The First Man led the leaders on a tour of the historical property.

The G5 members held a joint press conference in the State Dining Room before the final closed door session.

Once the doors are closed, outside of interpreters, only (1) approved person can remain in the room with each leader for the final session. These are usually their aid or prime minister, secretary or assistant. The final table session is where many decisions are discussed and agreed to on a more in-depth level amongst all leaders. 

In 2020, the final session lasted 1 hour 12 minutes. The longest session was the 1999 G5 Summit when tensions were high between Windenburg, Oasis Springs and Mt Komorebi. That session lasted 3 hours 29 minutes. 

During that intense session, Mt Komorebi was seeking the return of a foreign national imprisoned in Oasis Springs in 1997 on a charge of war crimes, in return for allowing Oasis Springs to continue profiting off of their fresh water. At the time, Mt Komorebi had advanced 2 war ships close to the Oasis Springs border, provoking war since the waters were shared with Windenburg. The session did not end in Emperor Akio’s favor after a vote of 4 to 1 and the Emperor withdrawing his ships 72 hours later.

#the sims 4 #sims 4 #TS4 #ts4 legacy #ts4 simblr #ts4 story #sims 4 monarchy #the sims legacy #sims 4 story #the sims 4 story #sims 4 tumlr #ts4 tumblr #sims 4 tumblr #sims 4 simblr #simblr #ts4 royalty #sims 4 royalty #ts4 royal simblr

[muskokafarm]

Muskoka Farm Pre-Training

One of the country’s top horse training facilities, Muskoka Farm pretraining, is currently for sale. This state-of-the-art facility is a world class breaking, spelling and pre training complex surrounded by national parks and big country Victoria skies.

The farm is a high-tech facility, with a 2.4 kilometer crusher dust track and a 58 stable complex. This one-of-a-kind 280 acre property also offers a lap pool and high-speed treadmill. 

The world class facility is renowned for breaking, spelling, pre-training and agistment. It is also a registered AQIS quarantine facility. Surrounded by national parks and bushland, it is a tranquil environment for race horses to re-energise after the hectic pre-training and racing preparation.

The name of the farm is a nod to the renowned Canadian lake district. It was purchased by the Lapointes in 1969 and developed into a state-of-the-art horse spelling and training operation.

The property has a purpose-built ring, a crusher dust track and eight spelling paddocks and offers the highest level of service to clients. In addition, it has a riverfront homestead, private jetty/pontoon, two guest houses and staff accommodation. Its long list of facilities includes a high-tech treadmill and a lap pool. It has the capacity to accommodate up to 200 horses and is suitable for a range of commercial operations. It has a prestigious reputation as the preferred destination for Australia’s top gallopers.

Surrounded by national parks and bushland, Muskoka Farm is a world class equine facility renowned for breaking, spelling, pre training and agistment. The farm also offers a stress-free environment and provides excellent care to its horses. It is a popular place for racehorses to recover from their race preparation before starting the next phase of their training.

The 117-hectare property offers three tracks (1000m sand, 2400m crusher dust and turf), 70 boxes and day yards, isolation stables and spelling paddocks. It is also equipped with a horse swimming pool, walking machine, treadmill and barriers. In addition, it has fail safe water supply from a dam and bore, along with a tennis court, helipad, boat shed and sea plane mooring.

Star Hong Kong raider Dan Excel arrived at the picturesque Gunderman property this morning following a mandatory quarantine stint at Eastern Creek. He will now prepare for October’s $3 million Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m). The John Moore-trained galloper is a strong contender to win Australia’s most prestigious Group 1 race.

The one-of-a-kind property is used by top trainers such as Gai Waterhouse, Chris Waller and Peter Snowden. It offers many high-tech facilities, including a hyperbaric oxygen chamber that promotes wound healing and post race recovery.

The world class breaking, pre training, spelling and agistment operation is held in high regard by Australia’s leading trainers. Located on the Hawkesbury River, it features a 2.4-kilometer crusher dust track and 800-metre straight. It is also a registered AQIS quarantine facility.

The 280-acre estate is home to five large stable barns, 70 boxes and day yards. It also has a 24-hour helipad, a pool, and a two-bedroom house for the trainers and staff. It is also a great place for horses to rest and recuperate from racing preparations. Its stress-free environment will allow them to regain their soundness and return to racing fitness. It will also help them develop a healthy eating pattern and avoid any injury. This is important for their racing career and will benefit the breeders as well.

The facility is surrounded by national parks and bushland, providing horses with a calming environment. This enables them to return to pre-training more soundly, and reduces the risk of injuries and behavioural problems.

The one-of-a-kind property is renowned for its breaking, pre-training, spelling and agistment and is held in high regard by Australia’s leading trainers. It boasts a plethora of facilities, including five stable barns with 58 stables, a large outdoor pool and a lap pool, as well as a high-speed treadmill. The complex also offers a private jetty/pontoon, helipad and staff cottages.

The property has an enviable location, just 90 minutes from Randwick and Rosehill. Its owners, Bob and Wendy Lapointe, have decided to sell the world class facility after 40 years of success. It is being handled by Inglis Rural Property and a sale date is yet to be announced. Six Muskoka lots were sold at last week’s Inglis Ready2Race sale, with the top lot being a Tale of the Cat – Dragon Maiden colt that was purchased for $280,000 by Singapore trainer Patrick Shaw. To know more about Pre Training, visit the Muskoka Farm website or call [phone].

#race horse training australia #pre training #horse training nsw #horse training lismore #horse breakers victoria #horse spelling and training #horse spelling #horse breakers nsw

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

Bite The Hand That Feeds

Summary: When the reader is kidnapped by an Alpha, she thinks that’s her biggest problem to deal with but she soon learns how wrong she is...

Pairing: Alpha!Dean x reader

Square: Alpha/Omega

Word Count: 12,300ish

Rating: Mature (language, death, kidnapping, fires, violence, angst, injury (not the happiest fic there ever was, that’s for sure))

A/N: Written for @spnabobingo​​

_____

A large smack to the back of your head made you flash your eyes open. It was dark, your hands behind you, secured with some kind of leather restraints. That wasn’t good. Swallowing hard, you felt the gag in your mouth, a strip of thick fabric that covered your lips and was tied taught at the back of your head. Your feet felt bound but it was more likely rope or a ziptie based on the give. Your nose brushed against fabric every so often and the barely there taillights told you not only were you in the back of a trunk, there was also a hood on your head.

You took a deep breath through your nostrils, trying to get your bearings when you realized the car wasn’t moving anymore. A loud creek echoed in the chamber as cool night air hit you. The trunk was open and someone was staring down at you.

It couldn’t have been a person. You were a hunter. Too well trained for that and monsters didn’t exactly kidnap people. Neither did the other one’s but the leather restraints should have been the dead give away.

“Move,” said a loud Alpha’s voice. You stayed still. They weren’t common and they weren’t known for their kindness. If he knew you were a hunter, you were as good as dead.

He grabbed your arm and yanked you up easily, far more easily than any human man could. He was going to be harder to get away from than you thought.

You waited until he was picking you up before you pulled the knife out of your boot and sliced behind you. You cut loose your feet and slashed with it as best you could with arms behind you. The Alpha hissed and you knew you got him. You managed to shake the hood off and had just about made a break for it when the restraints on your wrists burned and you dropped to your knees.

“Hunter,” he growled, kicking the knife out of your hands and pulling the hood back on you before you even got a look at him. 

He was Alpha so he had to be big. He ripped off your boots, yanking you to your socked feet and walking you roughly across some kind of stone driveway. You went up a few steps, almost trying for a break away again when he paused at a door but the pain in the restraints started to tingle and you stopped, the pain going away.

He’d infused them with magic.

Oh you were so fucked.

He yanked you through a door and on some kind of wood floor, turning a corner before he pushed you and you fell back on a mattress.

You growled as he ripped off the hood. No way were you letting him do that without a fight. The room was dim but he was very handsome, perfectly human looking but you knew the difference, knew what he was.

He narrowed his green eyes at you, reaching for the gag but you backed up further on the bed.

“We’re in the middle of fucking nowhere, no thanks to your kind, so I wouldn’t bother screaming if I were you,” he said. It took everything in you not to bite him right then and there but you held back as he tugged the gag down. “Turn around.”

“You first,” you said. He stared at you, your wrists starting to hurt. “Neat trick. You think that-”

You went wide eyed, a scream ready to erupt from your throat from the pain that had shot through you before it had quickly disappeared.

“Turn. Around.”

You got up to your knees but showed him your back, his hands gripping your wrists. You closed your eyes, surprised when you felt him untie you, leaving only a small strip of leather on your wrist, no beginning or end to it.

“Humans have a way of dealing with unruly people. So do we. You do as I say and someday that will come off and you’ll be allowed to leave,” he said.

“I’ve been to hell and they couldn’t break me, sweetie,” you said, the Alpha quickly hiding his flash of surprise. “I would chop off-”

He grabbed your arm and yanked you to your feet, pulling you out of the bedroom, the two of you winding up in a small hallway. You went past a kitchen and another hall, going to the other side of what looked like the house.

He glared at you and opened a door.

You were greeted to small voices coughing, three small children tucked away in beds, all of them sweaty and ill looking. You turned back to the Alpha, his chin rising.

“They are ill and I don’t know why. Help them and then you may go,” he said.

“I’m not a doctor,” you said.

“They aren’t human. I can’t bring them to a doctor without getting them killed or stuck in a lab. You’re a hunter. You understand our dynamic. Fix them,” he said.

“What-”

“Fix. The. Pups,” he growled, pulling the door shut after himself, leaving you alone with them. You thought for one that was a stupid thing as he’d just given you potential hostages. But the strap on your wrist was as good as any watchdog you figured and even if they were technically monsters...they were children.

You bent down by the first bed, a little girl probably only four or five years old clutching a teddy bear to her chest.

“Hi sweetheart,” you said, looking around, finding a thermometer on a table nearby. “I’m Y/N. What’s your name?”

“Georgia,” she said with a cough.

“Can you tell me what’s wrong, sweetie?”

You opened the door after half an hour with the three of them, Georgia, Gavin and Gabby, four year old triplets you’d learned. The Alpha was waiting at the end of the hall as you walked up to him and then past, his hand grabbing your arm.

“Well?” he asked.

“I told you. I’m not a doctor,” you said, shrugging him off. “I got symptoms and their temperatures but that’s it. I don’t know how to help you.”

“You’re a hunter. You research all the damn time. Research and find out what’s wrong,” he said.

“You’re their father. You fucking do it,” you said.

“I am not their father,” he said, a dark look in his eyes. “None of them are my blood but I am the Alpha and I will care for them.”

“I can’t help you,” you said.

“Then what’s the point of you,” he said, brushing past you and going out a back door. You looked out the window at him, rolling your eyes as you found some paper in the kitchen and wrote down the symptoms they each complained of and their temperatures. You knew his kind, the Alphas and Betas and Omegas, they ran hot, like dogs did. But the kids temperatures were too high and you were starting to understand why he’d kidnapped you.

If they didn’t start to get better and soon, they’d die.

You sighed as you stood up, going to the back window again and staring out at the Alpha standing in the backyard, tilting his head up at the sky. You sighed and turned to go inside, spotting a well out on the edge of the property. You glanced over at the leaky faucet in the kitchen, an idea sparking in your mind.

“Alpha,” you said, stepping outside, his head whipping around. “How opposed are you to breaking into a hardware store tonight?”

“What are you doing?” he asked, reaching for the glass of water when you swatted his hand away. “I will destroy you.”

“Shut up,” you said, pulling out the test strip from the water and comparing it to the chart. “Well, that’s not good.”

“What’s not good?” he asked, peering over your shoulder.

“The kids, do-”

“Pups,” he said.

“Fine. Do the pups drink water from the faucet?” you asked.

“Yeah, we all do,” he said, glancing down another hall.

“Wait. What do you mean all?”

“...There are two twelve year olds, a fourteen and a sixteen year old here as well,” he said. “We all drink from the tap. Why?”

“Because you have arsenic in your water. A lot of it.”

“Are you sure this will work?” he asked. “Arsenic is bad news, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” you said, pouring some of the mixture into a few small glasses. “Everyone in the house needs to drink this.”

“You first,” he said. You narrowed your eyes but took a sip, wincing as you pulled it away. 

“Go. Do the little ones. Now.”

“It says 100,” said the Alpha, holding up the thermometer to you in the kitchen. “They’re all perfectly fine.”

“Basic healing potion,” you said. “Keep it for when somebody scarpes a knee too hard.”

He nodded, walking behind you and curling a finger under the gag still around your neck. You froze, the Alpha untying it and setting it on the kitchen table.

“Thank you,” he said.

“Can I ask why you took me? Hunters, Alphas, we’re not known for getting along,” you said.

“Y/N Y/L/N. You’re known for your viciousness in your hunting world. You’re also known for letting an innocent monster go here and there,” he said. You raised your chin, the Alpha looking down. “I knew once you knew children were at risk, you wouldn’t go anywhere.”

“So you going to take this off now?” you asked, holding up your wrist. He grabbed your hand and mumbled, the thing falling off and to the ground. “Are we done?” 

“Never speak of this place to a soul,” he said. “Or I will kill you without a second thought.”

“For a guy who claims those aren’t his kids...they’re your kids, Alpha,” you said, giving him a nod as you headed for the front door. “See you never.”

Two Days Later

You were barely out of your car before the four kids stopped playing in the front yard and stared at you, three boys, one girl, all of them looking ready to run.

“Y/N!” you heard Georgia say as she ran over with a smile. “You came back!”

“Hey, sweetie,” you said, giving them all a nervous smile. “Where’s the Alpha? I need to talk to him.”

“Dean?” she asked, your head tilting. She grabbed your hand and took you back towards the house, the older ones following you as you went inside with the little girl. The Alpha, Dean, was sitting at the kitchen table working on something. “Dean! Y/N’s back!”

His whole body went tense, eyes going too many shades dark, one of the older kids grabbing Georgia and taking her outside before Dean was out of his seat. 

“I-” you said, Dean shoving you back against the closest wall, a hand around your throat.

“What did I tell you,” he said calmly. “You threatened my pack by returning. I don’t do well with hunters threatening my pack.”

“Came...help...jackass,” you said. He narrowed his eyes and relaxed his hand. You slid down the wall, coughing as he yanked you to your feet, forcing you to sit down in a chair at the table. “If this is how you treat your friends-”

“I have no friends,” he growled, glancing back at the oldest one, a girl with blonde hair. “Watch the pups. No one comes in the house until this is dealt with.”

You swallowed as they left, Dean stalking in front of you, bending over to get at your level.

“You better have a good fucking reason for coming back and I mean good,” he said. You stared him down, glancing at the sink. “We know about the water.”

“Arsenic isn’t in the soil here,” you said. He tilted his head. “The arsenic in your water supply. It didn’t come from the ground. Someone put it there.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying, Dean, someone knows you’re here and they were trying to take you all out very, very slowly, in a way you’d never even realize,” you said. “I don’t know about your life but-”

“Tim! Tom!” he shouted, two of the boys rushing inside. “We need to leave. Fifteen minutes. Triplets are with you two. Tell your brother and sister. Start packing. Now.”

They took off, all of the kids rushing in the house quickly.

“Beth!” he shouted, the teenage girl, the oldest one, came running into the kitchen. He dug into his pocket and tossed a set of car keys at her. “You drive and make sure everyone’s in the SUV ready to go.”

“You want us all in one car?” she asked.

“You and the kids in the SUV,” he said. “I’ll go separate. Just try not to get distracted by them and you’ll be fine.”

“Dean. Is-”

“I don’t know. I want you to drive you siblings to the campsite. Can you do that for me?” she nodded quickly. “You’re an Alpha. Act like you’re their Alpha and it’ll help keep them calm, especially since you’re blood, understand?”

“Yes, Alpha,” she said.

“Go sweetheart. Go,” he said. You looked up at Dean, getting a stare back from him. “You’re coming with me.”

“Do you have enough hunting crap?” he groaned, half the backseat filled up now after you cleared out your trunk.

“Why am I being kidnapped? Again?” you asked.

“I didn’t kidnap you this time,” he said. 

“You locked me in the car!” you said.

“Oh, you’re a hunter. You could have gotten out if you wanted to,” he said. You held up your bound wrists, Dean raising an eyebrow. “Shut up.”

“This is what I get for being kind to some mutt,” you said. He turned off the radio and you were pretty sure he would have pulled over if it weren’t for the kids driving in the car in front of you.

“I could tear your throat out with my teeth. Watch it, hunter,” he said.

“Sorry but I’m not some dog nanny. I only came back to tell you about the water, that’s it,” you said.

“Well why did you even fucking look?” he asked. You looked out the window, his hand grabbing your wrists. “Why?”

“Because you aren’t the only person that lives out there. I was doing some digging, seeing if I had to put in an anonymous tip you know and then I realized it was only your house and only your water which is weird seeing as you share a water source with your other hick ass neighbors and the levels were extremely high so yeah, I thought you might like to know someone was poisoning your not kids. Fucking asshole,” you said, raising your hands and starting to bite at the ropes on your wrist. 

“You need to leave those on,” he said, pushing your hands away.

“Buddy, I swear-”

“The safehouse we’re going to...it’s a last resort for the moment. There are others that live there already. Alphas. Any hunter that shows up there that’s not a prisoner is killed on site, no questions asked,” he said. 

“I have an idea. Let me go so that’s not a problem,” you said, holding up your hands. 

“No,” he said.

“No? Are you-”

“For all I know, you did this. You could be working with other hunters,” he said.

“If I did this, Dean, I would have poisoned you all with that cure,” you said. “You’d all be dead. So why don’t you come up with a better reason than that, dick.”

He grumbled but reached over with one hand, undoing the ropes and setting it on the bench between you.

“That goes back on when we get close,” he said.

“But why am I going in the first place?” you asked.

“Because,” he said, gripping the steering wheel.

“Oh, thank you. That cleared everything up,” you said. You crossed your arms and looked out the window, trying to figure out your next move.

“Because I need a hunter’s help. If you behave, no harm will come to you there. I’m the Alpha that caught you so my rule goes when it comes to you. Don’t give anyone a reason to do a thing and you’ll be fine,” he said.

“What help could you possibly want from me?” you asked.

“A hunter has been tracking down packs and slaughtering them. I need bait,” he said.

“Dean,” you said. “I’m not going to let you kill a hunter because they killed a few Alphas.”

“Do you know why I’m watching seven kids? A hunter murdered their parents. Not two Alphas that were trouble. A kind man and a kind woman that were out celebrating their anniversary. Kind people. You know two of those kids? Tim and Tom? Not even theirs. They adopted them. Yeah. Sound like a couple pieces of shit that had it coming,” said Dean, giving you a glare. “Family after family. I don’t kill innocent things and I am going to kill this hunter before he gets anywhere near these kids again. So that is why I need you to be bait. To lure him out. I don’t care what side you’re on. Now you can behave and not get hurt or we can do this a whole other way. Your choice.”

You didn’t say anything as you turned the radio back on, letting out a sigh before you went back to looking out the window.

“Winchester,” said a tall man as Dean led you by the arm through what looked like a campsite with little cabins. You tilted your head up, quickly staring back at the ground.

Winchester. Dean Winchester. You’d heard stories of him but he’d died for good about ten years back. Killed on a werewolf hunt. That’s what your parents had told you at least. They warned you to never get too cocky like the Winchester boy had. 

“If that isn’t Y/N Y/L/N,” said the man, bending down and getting in your face. You stayed still, the Alpha brushing his thumb over the bruise on your neck from when Dean had tackled you in the house earlier. “Why’d you bring a hunter here, boy?”

“The pups are in danger,” said Dean, the Alpha going as stiff as a board, a strange power radiating off of him. “I assume Tim and Tom are allowed to stay as well.”

“Of course. The boys will be treated Betas as far as I’m concerned once they’ve grown,” said the Alpha. He turned his head to you, giving you a dark smile. “Was she the one that killed Alex and Allison?”

“If she were, she wouldn’t be breathing,” said Dean. “She’ll be bait. Hunter’s look out for other hunters. The hunter that killed my friends, he was close to us. He was attempting to kill the pups. I needed to move them someplace safer.”

“They’re more than welcome. If this is the same hunter killing around the country, you have everyone’s support here. The children will be watched. Use the hunter to catch the other, then get rid of them both,” he said. You snapped your head up, the Alpha in front of you staring down. “You’ve killed our kind before.”

“I killed the Alpha that came to our house in the middle of the night and killed my parents. I’d call that even,” you said, narrowing your eyes.

“You’ve seen this place. There are only two options for you now. Be killed or be turned and I know how you hunters are,” he said.

“Let’s go,” said Dean, yanking on your arm. You looked back at the Alpha, feeling the gaze of everyone in the place on you.

You swallowed when Dean led you to a barn and opened a hatch to a cellar, walking you down. You wanted to say something but the words stuck on the tip of your tongue, Dean sitting you down on an old blanket.

“You said-”

“He is the head Alpha here but you are my prisoner. No one will harm you. I promise,” he said. You closed your eyes, hanging your head when you felt a gentle touch at your cheek. You raised your head, Dean placing a bottle of water in your hands and a few granola bars. “I will bring you more later. I promise.”

“You better.”

You were almost out of water and it was pitch black when you heard a large whoosh overhead. You tilted your head and went over to the cellar door, shouting when the thing broke open, a heavy log with flames rolling down the stairs and into the room.

“Fuck…” you said, ripping your ropes off and poking your head out of the cellar, the small barn you were in on fire. “Oh shit.”

You ran up and outside as fast as possible, watching as you saw people running around. Looking back at the campsite, you saw a cabin on fire, one you were pretty sure you saw the kids head into earlier. You ran over there, Beth nearly running into you from around the side of the building.

“What happened?” you said, Beth trying to go back in. “Where are the kids?”

“They’re out but Dean’s inside,” she said. 

“Go get help,” you said, Beth taking off as you went to the door and kicked it in, getting a lungful of smoke. You dropped down and into the burning building, crawling along the floor until you saw a leg inside. You coughed a few times and grabbed his leg, Dean passed out with a cut on his head. You yanked on him and managed to get hold of his other leg as you dragged him outside. 

You coughed violently once you were away from the smoke and flames, Dean groaning a little as you shook his shoulder.

“Wake up,” you said, feeling a heavy presence behind you. You spun around, a whole load of pissed off Alphas looking back at you. “I swear it wasn’t-”

You were freezing when you woke up, tied to some kind of fence on the edge of the property. You looked up from where you were sat on the ground, two Alphas with guns on either side of you. You felt a gag back in your mouth and you sighed, hoping Dean would wake up soon and explain everything.

“For fuck’s sake,” said Dean early the next morning when he saw you. “Tell me she was not out here all night in a fucking t shirt. It’s freezing.”

“She’s fine,” said the lead Alpha. “Your prisoner-”

“My prisoner saved my ass. The barn burnt down. Of course she got out. She could have run but she stayed and saved me so I’m tired of the games. Untie her. Now,” said Dean. The Alpha nodded and you were released, your arms moving slowly before you managed to pull down your gag.

“Thanks,” you said, staying seated for the moment, taking a look at your cut up hands.

“Well your bait worked. A little too well in my opinion,” said the Alpha.

“Post guards. He’ll be back,” said Dean, walking over and helping you to your feet. “Last I checked, we weren’t barbarians.”

“She’s a prisoner,” said the Alpha.

“Not anymore,” said Dean.

“You can’t-”

“Mine,” growled Dean, the others instantly backing off. You didn’t understand their dynamic enough to know what was going on but you went with him, following him into a cabin where he sat you down in a chair and started to clean up your hands. “I’m sorry...and thank you.”

“You know it was kind of a stupid plan, putting everyone in danger like that,” you said.

“Was it?” he asked, tilting his head up at you. “Think about it. Think about the places that were hit. What’s your hunter instincts telling you?”

“It was an inside job,” you said. Dean nodded quietly, returning to looking after your hands. “You knew, didn’t you.”

“I suspected. This confirmed it. Hunters and our kind don’t get along but hunters don’t start wars for no good reason. They got their revenge sometimes and okay but this is different. I think one of the Alpha’s here is killing others in order to start a fake war,” said Dean.

“But why?” you asked, Dean wrapping your hands up in gauze.

“Because some Alphas think they’re superior. That humans should be like us,” said Dean. You dropped your head, Dean running his finger over your palm. “You know who I am, don’t you.”

“Dean Winchester? Every hunter knows who you are. You’re supposed to be dead,” you said.

“Human Dean is. Alpha Dean started kicking about ten years ago,” he said, dropping your hands in your lap. “Werewolf got me pretty good. I killed it but I was bleeding out. I managed to get back to my car and drive away until I pulled over, figured it was best not to kill someone on the road on the way out. I must have been driving a bit erratically because the door flew open and there’s this guy there, big guy and he’s just staring at me. I knew he wasn’t just some guy. He was Alpha. He hauls me out of there and onto the side of this middle of nowhere road and his wife comes over. See the thing is, this werewolf I’d been hunting...it took a little girl. It was gonna turn her. I saved her. She was in the backseat. Turned out she was these people's kid and while I was over there dying, she tells them how I saved her. The guy immediately pulls out a knife and cuts his hand, presses it over an open cut I have and tells me we’re even. Next thing I know, I’m waking up in some bedroom and I feel a whole lot different and whole lot not dead.”

“He turned you,” you said.

“He saved my life because I saved his six year old daughter’s,” he said.

“Beth,” you said, Dean nodding. “Wait, you saved a kid that you knew had a dynamic?”

“I’ve done my fair share of things as a hunter but I don’t hurt little kids,” he said. “She turned out to be an Alpha. That’s rarer for a girl but I shouldn’t have been surprised. She can be a ball of spitfire.”

“Your friends that were killed...” you said, Dean sighing.

“I was very angry after I was turned. I was a hunter for fucks sake and then that happened. But they showed me that hunters have my kind so backwards. There’s so very few that are bad. Most are good and kind. Most live normal lives, live in normal neighborhoods. My friends lived in the country but they were as human as you are in most aspects,” he said.

“You gonna kidnap me anymore?” you asked. He chuckled and shook his head, glancing at your nervously. 

“I’m sorry. The past two months have been...stressful,” he said. “I understand if you don’t believe me.”

“Yeah, well,” you said, looking at your hand. “I might be on edge too if someone was killing my family.”

“I was always just Uncle Dean before. Seven of them...it’s a lot to handle,” he said.

“Who do you think it is around here? So I know who to keep an eye on?” you asked.

“The Alpha,” he said.

“Which one?” you asked.

“The Alpha, Y/N. As in, the first Alpha. Everyone is either a direct blood descendant or they were turned. He’s pack leader to us all,” said Dean. “Which makes him extremely dangerous.”

“Why?”

“If a pack leader gives an order, in the right kind of tone, it’s almost impossible to disobey it,” said Dean. “If he wants a war, he has an army like that.”

“Why would the Alpha want a war though if your kind are good like you say they are?” you asked.

“Because he wants you, humans, to become us. We’re gentle by nature, even if we don’t seem it. Angering our kind is dangerous and that’s what he’s doing with these scare tactics,” said Dean.

“I still don’t-” you said, cutting yourself off when the door opened and the Alpha walked inside along with a few others. 

“Is she tended to?” he asked.

“I think so. She still needs to warm up though,” said Dean.

“She can do so after she’s been turned,” said the Alpha. Your eyes went wide and you immediately shot behind Dean, the Alpha smirking at you. “It seems she’s chosen her Alpha already. Good. You can have a mate now. She’ll likely be Omega but in the event she’s not, send her out and we’ll find the best placement for her.”

“You ain’t turning me,” you said.

“Oh I know. Dean will. As she knows too much now and the killing option seems off the table, you’ll be turned. I’ll be back in an hour. If she’s not started to go through the process, we kill her,” he said. You stared at him as he left, the Alpha’s leaving as well but you could see them walking around the cabin and standing guard.

“He’s serious,” you said, staring at Dean.

“I’ll get you out of here,” he said. “I promise.”

Fifty Five Minutes Later

“Dean,” you said, watching him pace around the bedroom again. “Dean it’s okay. I always knew I’d die on a hunt. It’s okay. Just figure out a way to take care of the kids. And...call my parents. Tell them Franklin Street. They’ll help you however they can.”

“I thought your parents were dead,” he said.

“its complicated,” you said. “Just tell them and they’ll help you out.”

“You’re not dying,” he said.

“You can’t take on ten Alphas by yourself,” you said.

“I’m sorry,” he said, pulling out a knife and tackling you on the bed. He cut your arm, swallowing as you stared up at him. “It’ll save your life.”

“Fake it,” you said, Dean tilting his head. “Fake it. Don’t turn me but we fake it. You’re my Alpha in this situation, right? He can’t feel another Alpha’s Omega right?”

“You’re bonded to the Alpha that claims you so technically that’s true,” said Dean. “We’re gonna have to make it look good.”

“What do you mean?” you asked.

“This is gonna hurt,” he said, covering your mouth with his hand. You stared up at him as he tilted your head back and pressed his lips to your neck. “I’m sorry I got you into this mess.”

You didn’t have time to think before he bit into your flesh, a scream erupting from your mouth muffled as you felt him break the skin. He pulled back with a pant, shoving a bandana from his back pocket against the bleeding area, slowly moving his hand from your mouth.

“Fucker,” you whimpered, wiping off your face from the tears that spilled over. 

“This is how we fake it,” he said, helping you clean up your cheeks, peeling the bandana away to see the bleeding was starting to slow. “You’re my Omega now. You play that part until you can get out.”

“You could have warned me,” you said, sniffling again as Dean pulled you into his lap. 

“I had to make it so you’d cry,” he mumbled.

“Why?” 

“Cause he knows you’d put up a fight,” he said. He was quiet as he sat there with you, the front door opening two minutes later, Dean shoving the rag in his pocket before going back to hugging you. You watched the door open and the Alpha step inside. You couldn’t help but glare at him.

“Omega?” he asked, Dean leaving back enough to show off the very fresh mark on your neck.

“My Omega. It’s done,” said Dean as he stood up. “Never force me to do that to someone ever again, is that clear?”

“Don’t bring outsiders here and we won’t need to,” said the Alpha, giving you a nod. “Have your Omega tended to. We need to discuss the killings.”

“I just claimed her. I need to stay-” said Dean, the Alpha narrowing his eyes at him. Dean sighed and looked back at you. “Come, Omega. Beth will take you someplace to get cleaned up.”

You stared at him, seeing his hand fidget and realizing he didn’t have a choice. You swallowed and stood up, following him out the door and feeling the Alpha’s gaze on your back.

“Welcome to the family, Y/N,” he said. “A hunter is always useful around here.”

You shivered and left with Dean, walking with him until he spotted Beth walking around.

“Beth take Y/N to the Omega center, please, and get her warmed up and with some food,” said Dean. Beth looked at you and then at Dean, her face scrunching up before she slapped him. “Beth.”

“Fucking sicko. We’re here not even a day and you’re like the rest of these asshole Alphas around-”

“Long con,” said Dean quietly, grabbing her shirt collar. “As far as everyone is concerned, you are still presenting, understand me? Don’t become another puppet. Keep the kids safe and you help her get fixed up so when we have a chance to go, we go. Sorry, sweetie.”

He shoved her back on the ground, Dean lifting his chin as he spun around and headed back with the Alpha who had a little smirk on his face.

“Are you okay?” you asked, helping her up. 

“We need to get him out of here,” she said quietly as she took your hand, leading you over towards a tent. “The Alpha’s control is proximity based.”

“We need to get you out too,” you whispered.

“Are you really…” she asked.

“No. Don’t tell a soul. We need to get you kids out of here and we can’t do that if he and I are both dead,” you said. She nodded and you looked back once, Dean giving you a sad smile when he glanced over his shoulder. “I have a feeling we’re going to need to move by the end of the day.”

To say things had not gone to plan was a bit of an understatement. The kids were long gone on the road and you knew your parents would take care of them. Dean on the other hand was currently dragging you into the Alpha’s house and not looking too pleased at himself.

“Fight it, Dean,” you grumbled, his hands digging in harder.

“I’m trying,” he said, stopping with you in an office, the Alpha turning around in his chair. 

“You haven’t been a hunter in long time, Dean,” he said as he stood. “You picked a hunter over us and I have to say, I’m disappointed.”

“I didn’t pick anyone,” said Dean. “I was using her for bait to lure in the-”

“Don’t play dumb,” he said. “You already know I’m behind this so why keep up the charade?”

“Why kill your own kind if you can control the Alphas?” you asked.

“Fear tactic,” said the Alpha. “It used to be just me until I started scaring them into coming back, coming closer. Some of them I knew would never get behind such a thing so...those were the ones to go.”

“You killed Alex and Allison,” said Dean.

“They saved a hunter. A hunter. They’ve been on my shit list for a decade, Dean,” he said. “So where’d the kids run off to, hm?”

“They’re gone,” he said.

“I figured as much. Doesn’t matter. I got you in the end. You’ll fall in line just like every other Alpha around here has,” he said, turning his attention on you. “You know, I’m gonna need more Alphas around here. Why don’t you mate your Omega. Now.”

You turned your head up at Dean as he dropped your arm. He lifted his head, the Alpha cocking his before he went wide eyed.

“You didn’t change her,” he said.

“Y/N. Run,” said Dean, shoving you out of the door and slamming it shut after you. You sprinted out of the house and across the campus, making it to Dean’s car by the time you saw more than one Alpha running at you.

“Oh shit, oh shit,” you said, tearing out of there. You drove for about twenty minutes before you knew you were far enough away that they wouldn’t come looking. “Shit.”

Dean was probably in a bad way and there was no way you’d be able to get back there on your own and grab him.

You rested your head against the steering wheel, lifting your head when a sign across the street flickered.

“This is an extremely bad idea.”

“Kid could you just fly it where I said,” you said, glaring at the teenager in the back of the car.

“You’re so buying us another case of beer,” said the one in the passenger seat. 

“Yeah, whatever,” you said, the other one turning his attention back at the screen. “This is gonna work?”

“I’ve used this drone multiple times to drop water balloons on my sister. I know what I’m doing, mam,” he said.

“Mam. I’m fucking 25 and I’m getting mam,” you said. “You see the guy yet?”

“Uh, there’s a lot of guys,” he said. “They look like they’re kicking somebody’s ass.”

You grabbed his shoulders and looked at the screen, looking around until you saw the Alpha.

“That one,” you said. “Drop it on that one.”

“This is really weird,” said the one sitting in the passenger seat.

“Fifty bucks and I’ll get you boys another six pack, alright?” you said.

“Bon Voyage,” said the one in the backseat, dropping the balloon on the Alpha. You stared at the scene as people backed away, the Alpha coughing before he dropped to the ground like a sack of bricks. “Did you just kill that guy?”

“Nope. Knocked him out for a while though,” you said, watching all of the Alphas around start to hit the deck. “And apparently everyone else. Okay. Slide over kid. You’re about to have company.”

“This guy is bleeding on me,” said the one in the back, Dean groaning in his seat next to him, still out of it. “Did you kidnap or save him?”

“We’re so putting this on the inter-” said the passenger seat one before you ripped the drone out of his hands and tossed it out the window. “Hey!”

“I hate when I accidentally throw stuff out the window, don’t you?” you said.

“You owe me like five hundred bucks,” he said.

“That thing did not cost five hundred dollars,” you said.

“Drone. Camera. Beer. Five hundred bucks,” he said.

“Whatever,” you said. Half an hour later you left the teens with some money and got back on the highway, Dean passed out in the backseat. He was quiet, his breathing ragged at times and you knew you needed to clean him up before you met up with the kids. 

You found a motel about an hour away, plenty far off the highway in case someone came looking. You got the room on the end and after checking it out, managed to haul a barely conscious Dean inside.

“Alright, buddy,” you said, getting him on the bed and out of his shoes and jacket. He wheezed, glancing at the sink in the room. “You want water?”

He barely nodded and you jumped up, getting him a glass. You had to tilt his head so he could drink, the water coming back tinged red.

“You got your ass kicked,” you said. He stared at you, taking a shallow breath. “That breathing is starting to worry me.”

You went back to the car and grabbed your duffel and medical bag, setting them down on the table inside. You cut off his flannel and t shirt, staring at his chest when you’d pushed the clothing away.

“Fuck, Dean,” you said. His chest and ribs were black and blue, his whole torso was, but his left side pulsing under the skin was what worried you. You got him out of his jeans while you tried to figure out the best option, Dean lazily staring at you when he was down to just his boxers.

His body was covered in bruises and cuts, Dean not bothering to move at all. His leg throbbed and you watched the skin bubble, moving in time with his pulse, straight up to his ribs.

“Shit. You need a fucking hospital,” you said. He moved his finger to your hand, shaking his head once. “You need a hospital. You probably have internal bleeding and broken ribs and a whole bunch of other stuff I can’t fix.”

He took a deep breath, squeezing his eyes shut.

“You can’t even speak. You need an ambulance,” you said. He grabbed your wrist, barely holding on but you knew he’d rather die than have someone find out what he was. “Stay here. Don’t die.”

You went out to the car and dig through the box Dean had tossed your hunting supplies in, finding the little black box. You pulled it out, staring at the motel door.

“I can’t believe I’m using this on you, Winchester,” you said. You took the box in the motel room and set it down on the bed. You opened it up to show Dean the glowing vial. “Here goes nothing.”

You held it up to his lips and he swallowed it down, squeezing his eyes shut as you watched his body turn a soft red for a moment. When the light dissipated, he was still injured but the life threatening wounds seem to be gone.

“Thanks,” he said. He touched his left side, letting out a sigh. “Pretty sure my lung was trying to pop open inside of me.”

“You’d rather die than go to a hospital,” you said.

“I’m sorry I don’t want the doctors to lock up the genetic freak,” he said, trying to sit up but only making it halfway before he plopped back down. “I thought grace fixed you up.”

“It does. I split what I had in half to make it last. Be grateful I had that left,” you said.

“I’m not complaining,” he said. You nodded and went back to your bag, starting to work on cleaning him up. He was tense every time you wiped some alcohol over a cut and eventually you gave him the bottle of whiskey in your bag. He downed a few shots worth quickly, relaxing as you started to bandage him up.

“Come here,” you said, moving him to sit up, cleaning off his face.

“You shouldn’t have come back for me,” he said. You stared at him, wiping off his cheek. “That was fucking stupid.”

“You were half dead. If you took much more, you would be,” you said. He put his hand over your own, moving the rag away from his face. “What?”

“You’re somehow kinder than the stories I’ve heard,” he said. You put your hand back and started to work on the cut near his eye, careful to avoid pressing too hard. “I’m sorry. For dragging you into this.”

“You thought the little kids were sick,” you said, Dean grabbing your wrist.

“I’ve been like this, been an Alpha, longer than I was a hunter. I forgot about hunting. If I’d thought for two seconds to use a healing potion on them, none of this would have happened,” he said.

“Those kids would still be in danger and you probably would have wound up under the Alpha’s control, just like everyone else at that campsite. The kids would have been victims just like all those other Beta and Omegas I saw there. They were scared. You guys would have ended up just like them,” you said.

“I’m still sorry,” he said. You sighed and let your hand rest in his palm, looking up through your lashes, his green eyes on you. 

“Promise to never kidnap me again, Alpha boy, and we can be friends,” you said.

“I promise,” he said. You smiled, Dean allowing a brief one to cross his face. He reached out to your neck, running his thumb near where he’d bit you. “I can fix that.”

“Uh, how?” you asked.

“Healing potion. Learned it from this hunter,” he said, a smirk crossing his face. 

“How about you rest while I take care of that? I’ll whip you up some, try to help a few of those cuts,” you said. 

“No, we ought to catch up with…” he trailed off, your hand pushing him back to lay down.

“Rest, Dean. It’s the middle of the night,” you said. “I already told my parents to let me know as soon as the kids show up.”

“A few hours,” he said.

“Alright. A few hours.”

“Morning,” you said, carrying some coffee and breakfast into the motel room. Dean was awake and dressed in the clothes you laid out for him, looking a million times better than the night before. “How are you feeling?”

“Alright. Mostly sore,” he said.

“You look better,” you said, his face only slightly scuffed up now instead of swollen and bruised.

“Did you get some teenagers to help bust me out of there or was I imagining that?” he asked.

“No. I did that. I used their drone. We dropped some powder I got from a witch friend on everyone. It knocked all you Alphas out like that,” you said.

“That’s actually an incredibly good idea,” he said. “I’ll have to remember that one.”

“It was incredibly stupid and we got lucky,” you said. He nodded, taking one of the coffee’s for himself. “My parents called. The kids got in around four. They’re strangely calm my dad said.”

“Probably Beth,” said Dean, digging into the paper bag and pulling out an egg and sausage sandwich. He unwrapped it and took a big bite, smiling to himself. “I’m starving.”

“Well there’s a bunch. I figured you’d be eager to get on the road,” you said. “Also, I cleaned your backseat. You’re welcome.”

“They say anything more about the kids?” he asked. 

“No. They got them to bed. My dad was gonna make them a big homemade breakfast so he was excited,” you said.

“Your folks know what they are?” asked Dean, chewing and taking another bite. 

“Yeah. Don’t worry,” you said. “What’d you mean about Beth before?”

“Well she’s an Alpha. She hit puberty a little early but she’s their blood. She’s technically the kid’s pack leader. I’m an adult though so I simply am acting the part until she decides she wants the job or not,” he said.

“And the human kids?”

“Scared of big sis,” he smiled. “Come on. I want to get on the road.”

Dean drove for a few hours before you swapped and took over, just breaking into Washington when Dean sat up in his seat.

“He doesn’t know where your parents live, right?” he asked. “The Alpha?”

“No. I promise,” you said. You turned down an uneven road and another, coming to a clearing with a gate across the drive, Dean leaning forward. “What?”

“Your parents live here? Your hunter parents?” he said.

“Mhm. My mom is a stock broker for fun. She’s really good at it,” you said.

“I can see,” he said as you punched in the code and the gate opened. You drove down to the garage and parked inside beside the SUV the kids went in. Dean followed you carefully outside, a few giggles coming from close by. You waved him to follow you to the backyard, your mom on the deck with a few of the kids, your dad kicking around a soccer ball in the grass.

“Dean!” said Georgia when she spotted him, quickly rushing over and giving him a hug.

“Hey, cutie,” he said softly. “You guys doing okay?”

“They’re okay,” said Beth, standing up from the deck chair she was in, giving him a nod.

“You must be the Alpha,” said your dad, walking over and holding out his hand. 

“Greg Henderson?” asked Dean as he shook it.

“I haven’t seen you since you were about ten,” he said. “How’s your brother?”

“Uh, good. He’s a lawyer, got out of the life,” said Dean. 

“Good for him. Sorry to hear about your dad a few years back. He was a good hunter. He cared a lot about you boys, even if he didn’t know how to show it sometimes,” he said.

“Thank you. I don’t remember you having a daughter though,” said Dean.

“Y/N’s not our birth daughter,” said your mom. “She’s about five, six years younger than you I think, Dean. You two just missed each other by about a month a think. Y/N came around the end of that February.”

“You made me a birthday cake that year,” said Dean with a smile. “Mrs. Henderson. I remember you guys now. You watched me and my brother a few times while dad was on hunts. Only a few hours here and there but I remember.”

“Small world,” you said.

“Your other parents were killed, weren’t they,” said Dean.

“By an Alpha,” you said.

“We found her and gave her a place to stay until we decided we’d raise her,” said your dad.

“She was a very quiet child that first year,” said your mom.

“She was halfway through killing an Alpha when I found her. Five years old,” said your dad. “I never worried about that one and boys.”

“A five year old killed an Alpha?” said Dean.

“No, but she injured him enough to hold on while she had to wait for us to get there. Don’t piss that one off,” he said.

“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” said Dean.

“So how’d you wind up with the Brady bunch?” asked your dad.

“The triplets were sick and Dean knew a hunter was in the area so he asked for my help,” you said, feeling Dean’s gaze on you. “We put aside our differences to help the kids.”

“You realize we taught you to bullshit like that, right?” said your dad.

“Leave it alone, Greg. We have bigger problems than how they met,” said your mom. 

“I know. Can we get some lunch first? We’ve been driving all morning,” you said.

“Of course. I’ll fire up the grill, get the kids some grub in ‘em too.”

“The Alpha Alpha?” asked your mom after lunch, the kids playing in the backyard aside from Beth who was passed out in your dad’s hammock.

“Yup,” said Dean.

“And you’re saying that the Alpha can control other Alpha’s, against their will?” asked your dad.

“He did it to Dean, right in front of me,” you said.

“The older girl, she’s an Alpha like you?” he asked.

“Yes. The Alpha doesn’t know that though. She along with the rest of them need a place to lay low,” said Dean. “I know hunters and my kind don’t get on but they’ve been through enough the past few months.”

“They’re more than welcome to stay,” said your mom. 

“Thank you,” said Dean. He stood up and you frowned.

“Where are you going?” you asked.

“To deal with the Alpha,” he said.

“I didn't just save you for you to go die on me,” you said. He grabbed your hand and pulled you off the deck and around the corner of the house. “Dean. You can’t go back.”

“I have to,” he said.

“You’re going to either die or you get under his control,” you said.

“He’s hurting people. He-” said Dean, cutting himself off and squeezing his eyes shut. “He killed their parents. My friends.”

“I’m sorry,” you said. “I am. But there’s no way you’re going near that guy. Let us figure out a plan.”

“Who’s gonna help? All of my friends are stuck at that place or the Alpha has him them doing whatever he wants,” he said. “Your parents got out of hunting years ago. Look at this place. They don’t hunt so that gives me what, you? You go in there, the Alpha turns you and makes you his Omega like that. Life over. I’m the best guy to deal with this, plain and simple.”

“No you’re not,” said Beth, walking around the corner. “I am.”

“Bethany, no,” said Dean.

“I’m already an Alpha. He can’t hurt me as long as he doesn’t know,” she said.

“He can hurt you. He will hurt you,” said Dean. 

“But-”

“No.”

“You’re not the leader of this pack anymore. I am,” she said. Dean tilted his chin up, narrowing his eyes.

“You’re gonna stick around until your little sisters and brother and all grown up? You gonna be cool with waiting until you’re my age to have a life?” he asked.

“I’m pack leader,” she said.

“Fine,” said Dean. “Do some chores for these people every once in a while.”

He turned and started heading for the garage, Beth staring at you before she took off after him.

“De-”

“Sorry. I’m not in the pack anymore,” he said, holding up a hand.

“De De,” she said, grabbing his arm, Dean coming to a stop. “You’re in the pack. You’re always in the pack. I’m pack leader so I’ll worry about them and you worry about the Alpha, okay?”

“It’s your pack now, Beth. It was always going to be your pack,” he said gently. “I will deal with this and you teach them how to be good, alright?”

“You’re in the pack,” she growled. Dean stared her down, Beth giving it right back. “Pack.”

“No.”

“Pack.”

“No.”

“Pack,” she said, Dean cocking his head. “That’s an order.”

“We both know you could make me. I could very easily slide back in. But part of being pack leader means you let your pack have it’s own free will,” he said.

“Make him stay,” said Beth to you. Dean shook his head and headed for his car. 

“Stop,” you said, Dean not even slowing down. “I said, stop.”

Dean tensed up, glancing back over his shoulder at you.

“You’re not going on your little death trip. You’re in your pack and that’s it,” you said. “You owe me.”

“Fine,” said Dean quietly.

“Now you two talk about your whatever, leader stuff while I make a few calls.”

“Hey,” said Dean rattling on the door to your dad’s office. “How’re you making out in here?”

“I got a few calls out to some hunter friends. They’re keeping an eye on him. Looks like he moved everyone to some abandoned farm, a bunch of ranchhand homes or something. They’re in Colorado. Apparently he’s claiming that I attacked the camp and killed an Alpha, so that’s lovely,” you said. “What about you and Beth?”

“We will be co-leaders and I have final say,” he said. 

“Good,” you said. “I don’t think you should leave your family just like that.”

“You come up with a genius plan yet that doesn’t involve getting us killed?” he asked.

“Not yet,” you said, scratching your wrist absently. “Wait. When we met, you said your kind had a way of dealing with unruly people.”

“The collar?” he asked.

“Collar? It was on my wrist,” you said.

“It was a collar,” he said. “We call them collars anyway.”

“Would something like that work on the Alpha?” you asked.

“In theory, yes,” he said. “Getting close would be a problem. There would be a lot of problems in getting close.”

“But it’s possible,” you said.

“The collar was invited by an Omega. Basically…” he trailed off, getting lost in a thought. “We don’t collar him. We collar all the other Alphas.”

“Huh?” you said.

“The collar is traditionally used by an Omega on their Alpha. It helps an Alpha think clearer and you know, works a bit like a shock collar if they don’t play along but point is, the Omegas at that farm...they can get the collars on their Alphas and then they’ll help get them on the rest of the Alphas and then the Alpha is on his own,” said Dean. “They’ll still have to fight it but I’m betting they’ll get their free will back.”

“Alright, so if we can sneak in a message to the Omegas, then I can go in and take out the Alpha,” you said.

“I take out the Alpha,” said Dean.

“You’re still an Alpha, Dean. With no Omega to take ownership of your collar. You can’t go,” you said. 

“It doesn’t have to be an Omega to work,” he said. He left for a moment and returned with a small leather strip, handing it to you. “Put it on me.”

“I don’t see how this will work,” you said, barely putting the thing around his wrist before it sealed itself shut. You felt dizzy for a moment, looking back at Dean who was taking a deep breath. “Is that it?”

“Tell me stop at the door,” he said as he stood up. 

“Stop,” you said, Dean still walking past the doorframe. “I said stop.”

He immediately froze and grabbed his hand, coming back to the room and letting out a sigh. 

“Shit, I forgot how much that hurts,” he said. “But see? Now I can go.”

“You realize that you just gave a hunter complete control over you,” you said. 

“I know,” he said as he turned back for the door.

“You don’t have to wear it Dean, not until we head out,” you said.

“It doesn’t hurt me, Y/N. I will try to reach out to some people I know, Betas and Omegas, try to get the message out,” he said. You watched him leave, Dean pausing in the hall and looking back at you. “Don’t worry. It’s a good plan. It’ll work.”

“Bad plan,” you groaned when you came to stop from rolling. You looked back over your shoulder, Dean out cold on the ground nearby. “Very bad plan.”

“You know, I think I’ll just kill you instead,” said the Alpha. “Filthy hunter. Turning a good Alpha against us.”

“You did that on your own, pal,” you said, the Alpha raising his chin as he walked over to you. “You turned them all against you on your own. Why do think they’re all gone? That they listened to the others once they got their free will back. You killed your own people to start a stupid war.”

“I can always start over. Plenty of humans out there to bring in,” he said, grabbing your wrist. He slapped his hand around it and you felt the collar hit your skin, quickly removing his hand as he stood up with a smirk.

Pain tore through you, in every cell, in every nerve ending. Hell hadn’t been as bad as that was. You try to breathe but couldn’t, tried to move but couldn’t. You couldn’t do anything.

It went on and on, your body feeling as though it was literally tearing itself apart.

Until you sucked in a gasp that had you crying out in pain, rolling to your side as you saw what had happened. Dean was standing over the Alpha, covered in blood, the Alpha laying motionless on the ground, the dirt darkening under him.

“Y/N,” he said, watching you roll onto your back and cough up blood. “Shit. Shit.”

You coughed a few more times, Dean squeezing his eyes shut before he cut his palm open and stared at you.

“You’ll die if I don’t do this,” he said. “You’re bad. You still might.”

“Do it,” you said. He nodded and helped his hand over one of your open wounds.

“Welcome to the pack.”

You passed out when you were with Dean, groggily walking up to find about ten people staring down at you in some room. You spotted Dean who gave you a smile, someone saying something to you.

“What?” you asked, getting your bearings back.

“I said, what are you?” he asked.

“Tired,” you said, Dean smirking in the back. 

“What is your dynamic?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” you said. The room full of people looked at you and then back at Dean.

“Maybe she hasn’t presented yet is all,” said Dean.

“Her body healed. She should have presented by now,” said the man next to you. You sat up and took a deep breath. “Why-“

“You’re not human,” said Dean. “You’re one of us.”

“We should talk. Alone,” you said. You grabbed his hand and took off outside with him, pulling him over to a quiet tree.

“What are you?” he asked.

“I’m a human. With an Omega parent,” you said.

“How is that possible?” he asked.

“My mom, birth mom, was Omega. She slept with a human man. She hated the Alpha she was with. An Omega with a human…” you said.

“Makes a human,” said Dean.

“Yes. I have Omega genes but they’re dormant in me. It’s why I didn’t turn,” you said.

“I thought you killed an Alpha when you were a kid,” he said.

“I did. The Alpha my mom was with killed her and her husband. My human dad. She left once she was pregnant and five years later that Alpha caught up with us,” you said.

“So you’re human...but an Omega?” he asked.

“Yes. I haven’t ‘presented’ like I normally would but that’s because my parents put a spell on me so I would never have to worry about turning. I decided a very long time ago I never wanted an Alpha,” you said.

“You were never in any danger of turning,” he said.

“No. You can’t force what’s already there. I...it’s something very personal. I should have said something sooner but…” you trailed off, Dean smiling.

“It’s okay. I get it. No one knows I used to be a hunter,” he said. “I’ll keep your secret.”

“You don’t have to,” you said. “Saving me like that...you kind of turned off the spell. I’ll start going through presentation soon.”

“I don’t understand,” he said.

“I chose to let you do that,” you said. “It was always my choice. I made the choice to become Omega in that moment so now...I will be.”

“I’ll still keep your secret. We’ll just say it was delayed,” he said. You nodded, Dean giving you a hug. 

“What’s that for?” you said.

“Just trust me. You’re gonna want a whole lot of hugs real soon.”

One Day Later

“Y/N,” said Dean as you followed him inside from the deck. “Omega.”

“Mhm,” you hummed, your body loving all of the feel good hormones you got from someone using your title. 

“I know presentation can be overwhelming and you want to stick around the pack leader but try to relax,” he said.

“Okay,” you said, giving him a hug from behind.

“Wait, so are you gonna get a heat?” he asked.

“Not any worse than what human me got for that time of the month,” you said, burrowing your face between his shoulders. “Why do you smell so good?”

“I’m not sure. I know the pack leader’s scent can be comforting when members are stressed,” he said.

“Uh, aren’t you forgetting about the obvious reason?” asked Beth as she came into the kitchen to get a snack. “True mates?”

“I was human and then turned. We don’t get true mates,” he said.

“Yeah but you were human, Y/N was human...true mates…” she said.

“Isn’t it past your bedtime?” asked Dean.

“Greg and Donna said I can stay up however late I want,” she said. 

“Greg and Donna don’t have to get your lazy ass out of bed in the morning,” said Dean.

“Oh come on,” she said.

“We have to move back home,” he said. She stared at him, Dean lifting his chin. “You don’t want to go back, do you.”

“The Henderson’s house is so big and we’re near a town and-”

“And the Henderson’s did us a favor. We are not going to move in because you like it here. Why don’t you want to go home?” he asked.

“I don’t like that house,” she said. 

“I thought we agreed I get final say,” said Dean. “You’re not an adult, Beth. I make those kinds of decisions.”

“Dean, can I talk to you for a minute?” you asked, tugging on his hand to go back to the deck. He pursed his lips the second you had the door closed, looking back in the house at Beth. “She found her parents, didn’t she.”

“Yes,” said Dean.

“...My parents offered to let you and the kids stay here earlier” you said. “It’s not a bad place to grow up.”

“We can’t just barge into their house and take it over,” said Dean.

“Dean...think of how big this house is. Like how big it is, how many bedrooms,” you said.

“You have siblings, don’t you,” said Dean.

“I’m the youngest. My parents had lots of kids. Kids that lost their parents to monsters,” you said. “They took us in, let us know that we weren’t nuts, that monsters were real. They’ll happily be another family to those seven kids.”

“...We’re all in the same pack now,” he said with a nod. “As long as it’s safe.”

“This place is warded up to here,” you said. “It’s safe.”

“You going to keep hunting?” he asked.

“Yes,” you said. 

“Why?”

“Someone has to,” you said.

“I’m a bit rusty but you want a partner?” he asked. You cocked your head, Dean shrugging. “I’m not leaving a brand new Omega on her own, even if she is a badass. You’re vulnerable right now.”

“You don’t want to stay with the kids?” you asked.

“Uncle Dean hasn’t lived with those guys in a while. I stop in every so often but that’s the norm for us. I only stuck around because they needed me. I’m not parent material,” he said.

“I’d disagree with you on that,” you said. “But why would you want to hunt again? Don’t you like being normal?”

“Sweetheart, I’m Dean Winchester. I ain’t been normal since I was four years old,” he said, giving you a smile. “I got complacent and look what happened. I want to try and turn our reputation around with hunters. Only way I do that is to show them we’re on the same side.”

“Alright. I’m not ready to get back out there just yet,” you said. “I need a break after all of this.”

“Trust me, so do I.”

Two Months Later

“Thanks,” said Henry, giving Dean a handshake. “You ever need some help on a hunt, give me a call and I’ll return the favor.”

“Just glad we stopped that witch before things got even worse,” said Dean. You gave Henry a smile and wave as Dean wandered back over to Baby and leaned against the hood with you.

“Making friends?” you asked.

“Slowly. Being a Winchester helps,” he said, tickling his finger under your scarf. “How’s it feeling?”

“Better,” you said, Dean peeling back the scarf. “It’s just a graze, Dean.”

“Let’s keep the neck injuries to a minimum,” he said, moving his finger lower, tickling over a soft spot of skin.

“You keep tickling my bonding gland and it makes an Omega think a thing or two,” you said.

“I’m checking is all,” he said. “You don’t want to damage it.”

“I didn’t hurt it,” you said, pulling his hand away. “I promise.”

“I worry if you couldn’t tell,” he said.

“You? No, you’re super laid back,” you teased, a small wave of Dean’s scent rolling off of him. “Dude. I’m calm. You can relax with the Alpha stuff.”

“I’m not doing anything,” he said. You tilted your head, Dean nodding. “Oh.”

“Oh what?” you asked.

“Beth may have had a point after all,” he said. “I keep smelling you but I thought you’re on edge is all.”

“Explain, please,” you said.

“True mates have a connection whether the pair is bonded or not. The bond cements itself when the mating happens but that before part...mates can always scent each other, no matter what. You’re fully Omega now. I’m just saying, Beth could have been right,” he said.

“You think we’re true mates?” you asked.

“I’m offering up a reason as to why you might be smelling me is all,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets. You reached into your own pocket and pulled out the collar there, Dean making sure you always carried one on you. 

You held it out to him, Dean offering his hand with a curious look on his face. You smiled and slipped it into his palm, Dean cocking his head.

“I don’t need it,” you said.

“You should keep it just in case,” he said, putting it back in your hand.

“Just in case what? The Alpha is gone. No one has control,” you said.

“There will always be bad people. Bad Alphas,” he said. “Keep it. Please.”

“How about you hold onto it for me,” you said.

“Alright,” he said, taking it and placing it in his pocket.

“Dean.”

“Hm?”

“Do you want to take a few days off? Relax somewhere,” you said. “Talk about the elephant in the room.”

“What elephant,” he said.

“The one where possibly we’re true mates,” you said.

“Even if we are, we don’t have to do anything about it,” he said. 

“I know. I just worry about you,” you said.

“Why?”

“Cause someone should,” you said. He looked down, finding your hand and lacing his fingers together with yours. 

“Do you want to get some coffee?” he asked, a soft smile on his face.

“Yeah, Alpha. I’d love to.”

________

#spnabobingo #supernatural #spn #dean x reader #dean winchester #supernatural fanfiction #dean winchester x reader #dean #winchester #dean spn #abo #alpha!dean x reader

[ledenews]

Marshall County’s Gruzinskas Pleased with Krishna Resurgence

He was at the center of a number of criminal investigations when the darkest of clouds overshadowed the original intent of a Krishna commune in Marshall County 35 years ago, but Commissioner John Gruzinskas now is pleased the Palace of Gold has returned to be one of the most popular tourism attractions in the river region. Before he was elected as one of three Marshall County commissioners, Gruzinskas was a West Virginia state trooper for 25 years and a two-term sheriff. It was during his career with the State Police when he responded to his first call from New Vrindaban near Limestone. “Things didn’t go real well for them for a while after that first call, but look at them now,” he said. “It's thriving again because they’ve been back to their original mission on that land after signing some gas deals. The Palace has been restored, the tourists are back, and the taxes are paid. “They're very mainstream again and there are several businesses that are operating up there,” said Gruzinskas, a native of District Heights, Md. “They're members of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Palace is back on the Convention and Visitors Bureau website again. You have to give those folks a lot of credit because they fought back after all of the trouble. They could have gone away forever but they didn’t allow that to happen, and that’s great.” Gruzinskas is one of three commissioners in Marshall County. The small community started in the 1960s as a 133-acre commune for Hare Krishna members worshipping an eastern religion based on Hinduism, but it quickly grew to more than 4,000 acres and 500 members by the 1980s. Once the Palace of Gold was completed by devotees in 1979, thousands of East Coast tourists flowed in and out of New Vrindaban on an annual basis. A couple of decades later, however, the congregation’s corrupt leader was charged by the federal government and convicted in 1996 of racketeering and conspiracy to commit the murders of two men. The first killing, the 1983 murder of Charles Saint-Denis, was Gruzinskas’s introduction to New Vrindaban and Krishna Consciousness. It started with a phone call. “It was a missing person’s report, and it was a female who called. It was the wife of Charles Saint-Denis, and she told me she hadn’t seen for a few days,” he recalled. “I think she may have hired an airplane to look for him because of how rural that area was, and she told me that he had a pretty distinctive SUV that was one of the big ones for back then. We eventually found that vehicle in Bellaire and eventually got some people to start talking about what had happened. “We learned that Saint-Denis was lured out to a little shack on the other side of the property and that it took a lot to kill the guy. He was shot, stabbed, and hit over and over with blunt objects because the two guys who were convicted buried him under a creek,” Gruzinskas reported. “Thomas Drescher was convicted of first-degree murder in that case, and Daniel Reed was jailed as his accomplice.” It was Reid who, in 1987, helped authorities find the remains of Saint-Denis. He was discovered, according to Gruzinskas, wrapped in plastic approximately 18 inches beneath the flowing stream. “I know investigators searched that particular area,” the commissioner said. “But I guess no one thought of looking for Saint-Denis under that creek.” The first developers of New Vrindaban arrived in Marshall County in 1968. True Intentions Marshall County’s Krishna campus is a pilgrimage site that features a public restaurant, the village of New Vrindaban, cottages, a rose garden, several temples, and of course, the Palace of Gold. The construction of seven more temples is included in the plans for the village’s future. That was not what Gruzinskas encountered when he began his investigation into the disappearance of Saint-Denis. After accepting the position with the State Police in 1978, the then-26-year-old rookie moved to an Upper Ohio Valley far more industrialized than it is today. New Vrindaban, however, was a construction zone with members building housing, roadways, a school, and the Palace itself. “I was assigned a training officer when I first got here and his job was to get me as familiar with the area as quickly as possible, and New Vrindaban was one of the first places he took me,” Gruzinskas remembered. “At the time, of course, I had no idea how many times I would have to drive up there to that part of Marshall County, but it was a lot. “Once I went there to ask around about Saint-Denis, the people became very unfriendly, and it degraded from there. There were people up there that got themselves mixed up in some really bad things,” he said. “But it got worse for them up there because someone did go missing because someone killed him, and then that murderer killed someone else and there were convictions for those crimes and a bunch more. It got worse for them than I ever thought it would but look at it now. The community is thriving and it’s great to see.” "Gum" was the very first drug dog for the West Virginia State Police, and Gruzinskas was the first trooper handler. Read the full article

[himluv]

Dreamer

Solas makes good on his offer to help Riallan with her nightmares after Redcliffe.

Solas balanced the tray in one hand and knocked on the door with the other. It was late and the majority of Haven had resigned to their beds. The Breach was a disconcerting glow above them, turning the snow to a shimmering green sea. Beyond the chatter and cheer of the tavern, only Varric stood vigil at his fire; they’d nodded to one another as Solas passed him but said nothing.

The door opened and Riallan gestured him into the small house that had been reserved for her use. Solas had not been inside the building since she recovered from stabilizing the Breach after the Conclave. With one look around the room it was clear to him that she hardly used it. Aside from the slight rumple of the bed covers, the house was pristine.

“You brought tea?” She asked, taking the tray from him to set it on the small table beside the bed. She wore tan leggings with a loose white tunic and her bare feet were silent on the floorboards. Solas realized he’d never seen her so casual, so vulnerable, and instantly felt that he’d made a mistake. This was too invasive, too intimate, seeing her in her quarters in the middle of the night.

But he couldn’t rescind his offer without complicating matters even more.

He clasped his hands behind his back. “In case you needed help falling asleep,” he said.

“That’s very thoughtful of you,” she said as she poured a cup. She raised a dark brow and held the cup out to him.

He declined her offer with a short shake of his head. “Thank you, but I can slip into the Fade without it.” He sank onto the rug in the center of the room to sit cross-legged facing her.

Riallan sat on the edge of the bed, the cup of steaming tea cradled in her hands. “What do I do now?”

He smiled at her nervousness. “Enjoy the tea and try to relax. Perform any of your usual bedtime rituals if you haven’t already, and once you fall asleep I will find you in the Fade.”

“How?” Her face was full of sheepish wonder, as if the need for an answer had outdone her bashfulness.

He considered the question. “Every mage has a unique resonance to their power.” He tilted his head. “Have you noticed that?” In Arlathan the air had thrummed with power, clashing and mingling like voices in a market square. But, not every mage in this time had a strong enough connection to the Fade to recognize the subtleties of those resonances.

She nodded. “It’s like a signature, but I can only feel it on strong castings.”

“Exactly,” he said. “As a Dreamer, when I walk the Fade I can sense those signatures. It is a simple enough matter to find yours.”

She looked down at her tea. “What does my magic feel like?”

“Like a summer storm.” The words were automatic. Of all their mage companions, Riallan’s power was the most distinct to him. Whether that was a side effect of her carrying the anchor, he was uncertain, but he knew her magic well. “Like thunderclouds and the threat of rain. In the Fade it will be even stronger.”

She didn’t look up from her cup, but he noticed her blush all the same. “Yours is like snow,” she said. “I can’t explain it, but that snow smell? The clean, nothingness of it? That’s what I feel every time you cast a barrier over me.”

He stared for a moment, surprised. He had not expected her to sense his power. Perhaps the anchor linked them in some way after all? She took a sip of her tea as he considered the possibilities, then shook himself from his wonderings.

“You should sleep, lethallan.”

She nodded, set the cup on the tray, and slipped under the covers. “Will I know when you’ve found me?”

He stretched out on the rug, preparing to sink into the comforts of the Fade. “Not if I’m careful,” He said. Solas gestured with one hand, dousing the candles and sinking the room into darkness.

“Oh,” she said. The word fell flat and heavy with disappointment.

“On nydha, Riallan.” Her name felt foreign on his lips. He was used to referring to her as the Herald, Lavellan, or even da’len. But there, in her room, sheltered in the dark, it felt wrong to call her anything else.

“On nydha, Solas,” she whispered, the Fade already coming to claim her.

He listened to her breathe, the darkness making the room feel even smaller, until he felt certain she was asleep. Journeying into the Fade was second nature to him. Before the Conclave he’d spent more time in the Beyond than he had in the real world. It was easier for him there. Easier to pretend that Arlathan had flourished after he’d sealed the Evanuris away. Easier to relive memories he’d give anything to experience again.

He opened his eyes and took in the scene of the little house that now belonged to the Inquisition’s Herald. A small family of humans knelt in a circle, praying. It sounded familiar enough that he recognized them as Andrastians, but their dark clothing and the dissonant quality of their voices rippling through the Fade left him feeling unsettled. Not all memories were worth remembering.

He moved on from the scene, searching for the electric hum of Riallan’s magic. With their physical proximity, he wouldn’t have to search for long. He felt a jolt of power and smelled the acrid tang of ozone, and then he heard her scream.

The nightmare had come quickly.

He stepped through the Fade and into her dream, then froze. Solas recognized the grey stone walls of Redcliffe castle, but this was not how he remembered them. Red Lyrium grew wild throughout the hall, sprouting like weeds from between cracks in the stone. Above him, through the crumbled ceiling, he saw the Breach, throbbing and swirling in unbridled fury.

He vaguely recognized sounds of battle, and turned away from the Breach to see Riallan hurtling spell after spell at lyrium-crazed Templars. She was drenched in sweat, her eyes wide in panic, but her mouth was set in a vicious, determined snarl.

This was what she’d faced? This was the dark future that haunted her every step since Redcliffe?

“Solas!”

He spun, for a moment convinced that she’d somehow spotted him, but then he saw what made her cry out his name. The door at the end of the hall had burst open, permitting a horde of darkspawn into the chamber. At their feet was his limp body, covered in red lyrium, corrupted red eyes staring out from his face.

“Enough,” he snarled, and bent the Fade to his will. His intent would be enough to guide the dream into something of her creation. Something familiar and soothing, that would be as a balm to her damaged psyche.

He watched as the cursed Redcliffe castle melted away to be replaced by a meadow ringed by tall spruce trees. It was warm and a little humid, but the breeze felt nice against his skin. Riallan kneeled beside a creek, washing her hands.

She was younger in this dream, thinner, with long hair braided down her back.

“Riallan!” A voice, weathered but strong, called across the meadow. She turned to look at the speaker, and Solas saw that she didn’t yet have her vallaslin. She was so young, all willowy limbs, still awkward as a fawn. He was surprised at how much he enjoyed this glimpse of her life before the Conclave.

“Coming, maela!” She wiped her hands on her pants and headed toward the center of the meadow. As she did the camp billowed into sight, as if through a fog. A dozen aravels sprawled across the glen, Dalish appearing to stand at their sides or walk through the camp. She smiled and waved at almost all of them, but reserved her biggest grin for the old woman who sat at a small fire at the center of the camp.

“There you are, ma’dirthalen.” She waved for Riallan to sit. “Come, sit. We have much to discuss.” By her robes and the ornate staff cradled against her shoulder, he could guess that this was the Keeper of the Lavellan clan. If memory served, Riallan said her name was Deshanna.

What she hadn’t mentioned was that the Keeper was her grandmother. But he couldn’t deny the resemblance. They shared wide green eyes that saw everything and delicate, arrow-straight noses. Deshanna’s lips were thinner and her jaw rounder, the lines of her face heightened by the large, branching arcs of Mythal’s vallaslin.

“What are we learning today, hahren?” Riallan eagerly sat at her grandmother’s feet.

“We are learning who you are, and who you want to be.” She lit a long, hand-carved pipe with a snap of her fingers and took long puffs.

Riallan didn’t understand, at least not at first. Then her brow lifted and her eyes shone with excitement. “I’m picking my vallaslin?”

Deshanna nodded. “You must choose carefully, da’len. This is not just adornment, but a commitment. A promise to the Creators that you would walk the world in their honor.”

Solas’ nose crinkled at that. How wrong these people were, how lost. They bore these markings in honor of false gods, received them as a testament to their determination and devotion. When all the Evanuris would see was property. It made his stomach churn.

But the young Riallan’s face bore nothing but pride and hope as she set to considering which of her Creators she would choose. He, of course, already knew the answer. Mere feet away from him in the physical world, Riallan slept, her face marked for Dirthamen.

He had seen enough, more than he should have. It was improper of him to linger in her private thoughts now that he’d banished the nightmares. He took one last look at her face, free of any ink, and wished he could convince her not to go through with the ritual.

But this was just a dream, pieces of memory stitched together to give her a reprieve from the horrors of her waking life. He would leave her to it.

He could have awoken, left the house and Riallan to her dreams and returned to his own little hut. But, he was already asleep, and there were wonders yet to discover in Haven’s memories. So he spent the hours in the Fade, with his senses tuned to the storm magic, just in case the nightmares returned.

“Solas?” Her voice was soft, as if she hoped not to wake him, but felt she ought to try.

He opened his eyes to see her standing over him, her face illuminated by a single candle. The Fade still clung to him, and before he could stop himself the question tumbled out. “Why did you choose Dirthamen?”

She blinked, then frowned as she took a step back from him. “You saw my dream.”

He sat up. “I did not intend to,” he said. “And I did not linger.” When she didn’t speak he feared he’d crossed some boundary. “Ir abelas, lethallan.”

She shook her head. “Don’t. I asked for your help and it worked. If I had any nightmares, I don’t remember them.”

He smiled and stood. “I am glad I could help.” He looked out the window and saw the barest tinge of pale blue on the horizon. “I should go,” he said. “Before others awake and begin to talk.”

She scoffed. “Let them talk,” she said. “I’m not some Chantry Sister to be locked away in a tower.” Riallan stopped, realized what she said, and blushed.

Solas chuckled. “I did not think you were, but you should take care with your reputation. Think of how the world would react if it thought the Herald of Andraste had taken an elven apostate to her bed.”

She cleared her throat, but didn’t look at him. “I see your point.” She sighed, crossing her arms and leaning against the footboard of her bed. “But even if they did think that, I wouldn’t mind.”

He froze, convinced he must have misheard her. Or that she misspoke, not realizing what she said. He stared at her, and the longer his gaze lingered, the brighter her face turned red.

She knew exactly what she’d said.

Despite himself, he felt the tips of his ears burn. He needed to change the subject, now. “You never answered my question. About your vallaslin.”

When she finally looked up at him, there was a tiny smirk on her lips. She saw his change in subject for what it was: evasion. “I didn’t, did I?” She walked him to the door, and the frigid air was a relief. It cleared his mind and banished the heat that had climbed to his cheeks.

“Perhaps the answer awaits you in the Fade,” she said as he stepped out into the cold.

He looked at her once more, taking in the pink of her cheeks and the mischievous glint in her eyes. He hummed, pretending to muse over her words. “Perhaps,” he said and turned to let the Herald to watch him leave.

#solavellan #riallan lavellan #solas #My writing #dai #Dragon Age Inquisition