PART 3
                         Notes:
    Merlin's pack arrives in Wolf Haven, only to learn they aren't as welcome there as they thought.
Warnings: fighting

    There are some legends well known throughout the were community.
    The first is Mother Lupa herself, the mother of all weres and the first to have been blessed by Luna, the moon goddess.
    The second is Wolf Haven, a safe haven for weres to live in peace, free from the threat of ferals and hunters. Unfortunately, after the Great War when Mother Lupa and the ancients went missing, the way to Wolf Haven was hidden and the entrance guarded by the elder weres--a group of weres that had been around a long time and were trained by the ancients, and,  sometimes, even Mother Lupa herself.
    The third is that involving true mates. It is said that all weres have a true mate somewhere in the world yet not all find one. In fact, finding ones true mate is quite rare for the most part.
    Recently, a new legend has come to light: that of the Alpha, Merlin Emrys.
    Rumors have been flying lately about how he killed the feral Alpha, Nimueh, made his numbers grow practically overnight, and was now currently travelling a ways around the world to reach Wolf Haven.
    Because of these rumors, Merlin has gained a good bit of respect among the were community. Many wonder how he has managed to make his pack prosper in these difficult times, especially due to his own misfortunes.
    After the first couple of weeks of the journey, the Omegas got out of their heat, and none of them had gotten pregnant, mostly due to precautions made for the journey. They couldn't afford anything to slow them down when the place they were going was far.
    Luckily, no one bothered them on the trip, not since the arrival of Jasper and the others. It seemed that the ferals had got the message that the Emrys pack was nothing to mess with.
    There were other threats, however. A few times they'd been very close to getting caught by hunters. Luckily, the Winchesters had swooped in and saved them, more than once actually, showing proof of their loyalty (and not for the first time either).
    The journey stretched on for months, making the journey to Whispering Pines seem like a quick walk in the park by comparison.
    A little over a year since Rose had first mated Merlin had passed. Their anniversary had not been as big a deal as Rose had expected, however.
   Weres generally don't celebrate anniversaries as time has no meaning to them, being that most of them live very extended lives. Also, being that weres mostly act on their wolf instincts, things like that don't seem so important by comparison to other things like caring for one another and staying alive.
    As another month drew to a close, Merlin learned that they were very close to reaching Wolf Haven.
    One evening, as the group was continuing their journey, they were surprised by noises in the distance. It sounded like a fight and they each got into a defensive pose, ready to fight.
    They came upon a pack of weres being attacked by a pack of ferals. Immediately, they jumped into the fight and began attacking the ferals, protecting the other pack.
    The fight was very short due to the vast number of members in Merlin's pack and, soon, Merlin stood in front of the wounded group.
    "Are you ok?" He asked.
    What he assumed was the leader stepped forward. She was a beautiful female Alpha with long raven hair and light hazel eyes, dressed in a long white gown.
    "Yes. Thank you, Alpha."
    "Merlin." He introduced, holding out his hand.
    "Snow." She said, taking his hand in the Alpha's gesture of respect.
    "Snow?"
    Snow turned her head in surprise. "Regina! You're alright?"
    She ran to hug her stepmother, surprising the other female Alpha who tensed at the contact.
    "What're you doing here?"
    Regina scoffed. "Well, for starters, it seems I'm saving your ass...again I might add."
    Snow laughed. "It's good to see you again."
    Merlin cleared his throat, a bit of annoyance coloring his features. "Well, Snow, your pack is wounded and needs somewhere to rest for the night. I suggest you stay with us until morning then you can be on your way."
    Snow looked up at him with a smile. "Thank you, Merlin. My pack thanks you."
    Merlin began belting out orders for some to get food, others to prepare camp, and for the healers of the pack to set up their emergency tents to patch up Snow's pack. Castiel called the boys who were there by the time camp was set up and food was cooking on the fires.
    Regina and Snow were having a private conversation while the latter's pack was being cared for. "How have you been?" Snow asked.
    "Is that a question?"
    "Regina, I know things have been tense between us ever since my father..." She trailed off. "But they don't have to be." She continued. "I miss you. We all do."
    "Well I've moved on." Regina explained. "Being part of Merlin's pack is actually one of my better decisions. For the most part, I have free reign, as long as I follow the rules."
    "Must be hard after being in charge for so long."
    Regina smiled. "Actually, it's sort of...freeing in a way." Her smile fell. "I guess a small part of me did miss you, though."
    Snow grinned. "So have you found a mate yet?"
    Regina rolled her eyes but then they landed on the one were she'd been thinking about for the last couple of months: Robin, the Beta leader of the Sherwood Pack.
    Snow followed Regina's gaze. "Oh. He's kinda cute, isn't he?"
    Regina scoffed again. "He smells like forest!" She protested.
    Snow only gave her a knowing look. She knew the look an Alpha made when they found their true mate....
                          * * * * *
    Snow's pack decided to stay with Merlin's, especially after learning where they were headed.
    A few days later, Merlin announced their journey was almost over. A day or so more and they'd arrive.
    That evening, the group set up camp and some of the Alphas went out to get food. They never returned.
    As it was getting late, they started to worry. Right around that time, a large group of weres jumped out of the bushes and attacked them!
    They noticed each one was dressed in armor and carried a weapon. Some shifted and others fought in human form but it wasn't long til the fight was over.
    A bunch of weres in robes then appeared. "Sleep..." They said as they waved hands and staffs at the pack.
    With that, they all fell unconscious...
                             * * * * *
    When Merlin woke up, he realized that he and all the Alphas were tied up and the rest of his pack was nowhere to be seen.
    "What the hell?!" He shouted.
    That's when a group of weres approached, some in robes and others in armor.
    "Which one of you is the Alpha?" A white haired female asked.
    "Me!" Merlin answered, making the group turn in his direction. "My name is Merlin, Alpha Pack Leader of the Emrys pack! And I demand to know why you have kidnapped us and where our Omegas are!"
    "All in good time." Said a male were who was impossibly tall, only a few inches shorter than the younger Winchester, in fact.
    "So you're Emrys?" Asked another male, this one with silver hair.
    "Yes!" Merlin answered, angrily.
    "It doesn't matter who he is!" Shouted another male. "He is a trespasser!"
    This male was tall with long greasy black hair pulled into a ponytail, dressed in all black. He was covered in scars and, even in human form, this were kept his fangs, making him seem more intimidating.
     "And we must kill all trespassers!" He concluded.
     "You're wrong." Another female said, this one dressed like a spiritual shaman. "The Alpha must undergo the trials."
     "What trials?" Merlin asked, his temper starting to get the best of him.
     The silver haired male sighed. "They are trials designed to prove if you are worthy of living in Wolf Haven. If you pass, this land is yours. If not, then you and your pack must die. Including the humans you brought." He said, solemnly.