Disclaimer: not mine

Sorry for the wait. Mentions of slash/incest and Dean chasing anything that breathes.

Chapter 4

They stepped into the hall and breathed deeply, taking in the scents that still screamed home even after all this time. They moved further into the complex and dropped to their knees before the woman waiting for them.

Marria smiled at her wolves, it was good to see them so strong. Seeing their rank bars made her even prouder of their accomplishments, Sammy was a captain and Dean a lieutenant. She was glad John had pushed so hard for them to be allowed a chance to live. It was hard to believe Dean was now fifty cycles and Sammy not far off it, but it was why they were back. "Get settled and come to the lab in the morning boys."

"Yes ma'am," Sam answered smartly and then she was gone. They went to their old room, finding it unchanged so it was easy to get settled in. They grinned as they entered the communal mess, seeing the wide eyes of the pups as they saw their uniforms and rank. They grabbed some food and sat to eat until finally some of the younger pups approached and they let them, answering excited questions. Had they ever been that small? Eventually they returned to their room and curled together in a nest on the floor, relaxing in the knowledge that for a whole cycle they would have peace, outside of the lab testing anyway.

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Sammy sat on the bed, letting the medics do what they needed. He'd gotten good at ignoring such things over the years, there had been a lot of tests when he was a pup after all. He knew Dean was in the room next door, undergoing the same testing. Ever splice underwent medical exams by their Splicer every fifty cycles to ensure they were still healthy and carried no diseases or sudden gene mutations.

There was even the possibility he would be asked to Father some pups as second-generation Splices. He wasn't sure how he felt about that, he'd never actually been with a female other than the Queen before. He knew other soldiers were forever bunk jumping, even Dean had participated, but he wanted more than just physical pleasure. The only person he was that close to was Dean and yeah, they'd taken comfort from each other over the cycles, not like they could have pups or anything. If his Splicer commanded it, then he would do as told but it was not something he was looking forward to.

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Sammy's head snapped up as he scented the air and then he grinned, moving quickly down the hall to find John grinning at him. He moved in for a hug, breathing in the scent that meant safety even as John reached up to ruffle his hair.

"Hey pup," John greeted, he hadn't known the boys were due in.

"Missed you," Sammy admitted even as Dean bolted around the corner to join the hug and John laughed, following them back to their room to relax.

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Torus frowned down at the pup, embarrassed by its existence. He almost hit the button that would send it to the incinerator but then hesitated. Marria had successfully sold a runt and two other lycantants who carried such genes. John Winchester was well known and the other two were gaining names among the Legions. Maybe this pup was his chance for such fame. His hand moved away from the button and the pup was cleaned up and settled with its litter mates. He quickly entered a name for the pup and then put it out of his mind, he doubted that Caine Wise would survive or become anything important but there was a chance, however slim.

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Stinger read the report and smirked, he'd known the Winchester brothers would go far and he was being proven right. They weren't ready for the Skyjackers but given enough time they would make a great addition.

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Caine kept his face blank, hearing the whispers and rumours but he was used to it. He'd never fit in anywhere, why did he think it would be any different once he had been sold to the Legion? Training was hard, but he was determined to make it. He'd heard of Dean Winchester, not only was he a runt like Caine, but he was part of a pack of two. Part of him longed to have a pack, even if it was only one other person. What did this Dean have that he didn't to deserve a companion?

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Sammy held Dean close, fingers running through military cropped hair as his brother slept of the sedatives. It had been too close, he'd nearly lost him, but at least their rank and reputations meant there was no doubt of a recode when needed. He'd also received a notice while Dean was under, Dean's gene debt had been paid off, but a Splice couldn't own their own contract. The Legion still owned both of their contracts but now Dean could get out if he wanted. Sammy still had several cycles before his own debt would be cleared but he didn't mind.

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Caine dropped his bag, looking around, he knew this was an abnormal assignment, but he'd overheard the whispers. This was his last chance to show he was worth the investment of finishing his training. The room was obviously lived in and the scent of other lycantants was heady. He didn't want to be here, but he also didn't want to die or be sent back to his Splicer. The door opened, and he turned to face the older lycantants. Physically they looked very different, but their scents carried the same pack markers.

Sam studied the younger lycantant already inside their quarters. He was short, like Dean, with hair even paler than his brother's. He could smell the defensiveness and traded a glance with Dean who stepped closer.

"I'm Dean, this is Sammy. We'll be finishing up your training."

"Yes sir."

"Drop the Sir when in here." Dean reached out and ruffled the light hair, getting a growl that cut off, green eyes showing confusion and it hurt to see another lycantant how he could have ended up if not for Dad and Sammy.

"It's getting late, stow you're gear, and we'll show you to the mess," Sammy offered, and Caine moved to put his few things away where he was shown. He was a little confused on the sleeping situation since a good portion of the floor had been turned into a nest of blankets, leaving the bunks bare. They walked to the mess hall together and Caine had to fight not to bolt as they bracketed him, stiffening when a hand gently rested at the small of his back. Then Dean started chatting about inconsequential things and Caine forced himself to listen, trying to ignore the hand.

When they returned to the room he was surprised when they stripped down, and Sammy flopped into the nest. Eyes wide, he watched, not sure what to do.

"Come on pup," Dean gently cuffed him, and Caine couldn't help the soft whine.

He looked between them, lost and then Dean was helping him out of his uniform and gently pushing him down where Sammy wrapped an arm around him, curling against his back like Caine had seen packmates do. No one had ever done this for him! He felt Sammy's nose at the back of his ear, warm breath ghosting over his skin and he shivered. Then Dean was at his front, an arm tossed over him to rest on Sammy's hip.

"It's okay Caine, just relax and get some sleep. Your safe pup," Dean promised softly.

To Caine's shock his body gradually relaxed, pulling him down into sleep. Sammy and Dean stayed awake until he was deeply asleep to ensure he would sleep. They could see now why he'd been sent to them, even without finishing his training, he needed to learn to connect to others.

TBC…