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Rhys was tired. More tired than she had been in a very long time.Lorin was passed out in back of the RV, a massive slash across his chest that was healing far too fast. There were six other people in the RV too, on the way back to the Prison.On the way home with their friends.Daryl was sitting in the passenger seat staring out the window. His brother, Merle was sitting on the floor not far from him.Glenn and Maggie were wrapped in several of Sierra's quilts on the little couch, Rick and Michonne sat not far from them, propped up against the wall.The other man that had gone with them, Oscar, had been shot and hadn't made it.Michonne had attempted to locate Andrea, but she was nowhere to be found. And in all the chaos neither of the wolves could pick up her scent.But they had managed to get Glenn and Maggie out. The state they'd found them in had bothered all of them, but both Rhys and Lorin knew the truth of what had happened. They could tell by scent that the Governor hadn't actually touched her. Glenn didn't believe it though.And now there was an even bigger white elephant in the RV with them.Lorin's wound that would have been fatal for a human, but was even now dwindling in size. It had gone from the diagonal flayed open shoulder-to-hip gash that had occurred when one of the Woodbury men had managed to come at him with a sharpened piece of metal that he hadn't had time to dodge after he pushed Michonne out of the way, to a barely oozing foot long cut. Everyone in the RV had seen it start healing, and now there was a lot of things that needed explaining.Rhys sighed, glancing sideways at Daryl once more, as she seemed to be unable to keep herself from doing over the course of this whole ride. At first to assess and ascertain wether he had been injured or not, and once that had been satisfied, just because she couldn't stop looking at his face. And his shoulders. And his hair. And everything else.Jerking her eyes back to the road she steeled herself for what she was going to have to do next.She hit the brakes and pulled off the road. They were almost back to the prison now anyway so they were safe. She threw it into park and cut the engine.Bracing herself she turned. All eyes were on her. So she pulled up the alpha that lay dormant most of the time to the surface and stood up."Look, I know you're all wondering, ok. You see what's happening right in front of you and you have questions. Just be patient with me and let me explain before you freak out." She spoke calmly.Rick looked around at all his people, exchanging glances with everyone except Merle. Then he looked up at her and nodded."Alright, we're listening." She was almost relieved. Almost."We," she indicated Lorin and herself, "aren't Human. He and I are something else. We're shifters. What most people call werewolves." She cut right to the chase."Bullshit." It was Merle that spat the word venomously."Merle-" Rick attempted to cut in but Merle talked over him."No. You expect me to believe that little miss Gingy here and pretty boy over there are werewolves?! Like, howl at the moon and get all furry at night? Seriously?" He asked incredulously. Rhys' alpha chose that moment to make itself known."Yes," she growled, an underlying rumble to her words that no human voice could carry. "I do, because you, bigoted redneck asshole that you are, aren't as stupid as you look. So shut up so I can speak or get the fuck out of my RV." She finished the statement with a snap and a baring of too-sharp teeth. When she realized what she was doing she fought the shift down, shaking her head to clear it off the alpha influence she rarely used.Everyone was staring straight at her, silent as the grave. Merle's eyebrows were doing their best to crawl up his forehead into his hairline. He let out a low whistle but otherwise kept silent. It was Rick that spoke up."Go ahead, I think we're all listening now." He was more than a little wide eyed, and the scent of fear was permeating the air, but she didn't let it bother her too much."Thank you, Rick. As I was saying, we're shifters, he and I. The other girl isn't. She doesn't even know. It's against our laws to out ourselves to a human unless it's absolutely necessary. Or at least it was before the end. Now I don't even know if there are any others left. But regardless, this secret stays between those of us in this vehicle. You don't tell anyone. And if you want, after I get you back to your own, we will leave and you'll never see us again." She finished. For a long few minutes there was silence as everyone else absorbed what she had said. The fear scent was dissipating, slowly. And then Glenn spoke up, breaking whatever tension was left."You don't eat people, do you?" Maggie smacked his arm causing him to let out an undignified noise somewhere between a squeak and a yelp. As they pulled up to the prison gate Rick's son and the older woman who had been missing but clearly wasn't anymore were out there to let them in.Rhys pulled Beast over to where they'd previously been shown and parked it.She laid her head on the steering wheel and took several deep breaths.Lorin was awake now, and he was pissed. He'd understood why they had to be told, but he was still upset. He'd sworn everyone in the vehicle to secrecy until there was a chance to discuss it with Rick later. As their leader he was the authority here.She duly noted the door opening and people getting out of the RV. She didn't move. A hand landed gently on her shoulder. She looked up to see Michonne standing there, a somewhat soft look on her face."I don't care about anything else, or what they think. You saved Andrea when you didn't have to. And you saved me. If they want you to leave, I'm with you." She told the redhead. A little spike of joy pricked Rhys' chest. She nodded."And you will be welcomed." She told the swordswoman. Lorin, who was hanging back by the door caught her eye and dipped his head slightly before stepping down onto the grass outside.Michonne smiled and turned to follow him. Rhys sat there trying to figure out why all of this had happened. All Rhys had wanted was to help them save their people.And another thing was bothering her. Daryl hadn't said a word, or even looked in her direction. Even when Merle had been spouting off."Rhys?" Sierra was at the door. The redhead looked up at her friend. The blonde had dark circles under her eyes and looked like Rhys was pretty sure she felt."Sup?" The wolf asked."Everyone inside is waiting. There's some tension going on about that man with the knife thing on his wrist." So Merle was causing a stir. Great."Oh, be there in a sec. Just let me collect myself some." She told the younger girl. Sierra nodded and ducked out. Rhys knew there was more to Sierra checking in on her than she let on. She was checking to make sure that Rhys was OK. She'd developed a habit of checking on both her and Lorin over the months. Like she was afraid they would vanish one day. Rhys didn't blame her. She and Lorin did it too, just a little more subtly.Drawing a deep breath, the female wolf steeled herself for the mess she was no doubt walking into.And she was right."If you don't want Merle, then you don't want me! He's my brother!" Daryl was shouting."Daryl, don't do this. Please. We need you. But-" Rick was saying, but Daryl cut him off."There's no 'buts' Rick. It's either both of us, or neither." The archer made his ultimatum. Rhys felt she should step in now."Maybe they should go with us. We would welcome them. As long as they're willing to help us with the farm." She spoke up quickly, seeing exactly where this was going. Daryl would leave with his brother. The fierce loyalty that was openly displayed was not something that could be reasoned with. If Rick and his people didn't want Merle here, then Daryl would leave with him. That wasn't something Rhys could just stand by and watch. Whatever drew her to him wouldn't allow it."You serious?" The man in question asked incredulously. Rhys nodded."We have a farm not too far from here. With just the three of us it gets difficult to keep everything up. Would you be willing to help?" She asked. They didn't have a chance to deliberate."You don't know this man, what he's done. He's not someone you want around." Rick told her, his eyes straying to Sierra. Rhys smiled wryly. She could already tell the kind of man Merle Dixon was. Egotistical, erratic, stubborn. Naturally a racist and a chauvinist. Rhys had no doubt. But Rick didn't know her, or her packmates. If anyone could deal with the man without it resulting in bloodshed, it was her and Lorin.After all, they had a lot of practice from dealing with their old pack."I think we should be the ones to decide that, don't you?" She smiled beatifically.Merle almost laughed. Daryl did not. He only stared her down, his eyes intense and unreadable for several long minutes. Then Merle turned to his brother."Your choice Little Brother. Yes up for playing house with Little Red Riding Hood?" Lorin chuckled at the thinly veiled allusion to her dual nature.Daryl looked to his brother and then back to Rhys. She tried her hardest not to let any emotions show on her face."Why not." The younger Dixon said roughly. A thrill of victory surged through her. She bit back the urge to smile.
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Rhys was almost regretting her decision to offer the hand of friendship to Merle Dixon.He was insufferable. He never shut up, and he had made a pass at her several times already. The brothers had been at the farm for two days. Michonne too, though she stayed busy helping Lorin with menial tasks around the farm, much like she had before.And then when Rhys had turned him away for the fifth time he asked about her batting for the other team. To which she had told him she liked men just fine. And he guessed the rest from there. Then he started dropping comments about her crush on his baby brother.If the farm hadn't come under attack a couple of days later she might have attempted to strangle him.As it was now she was trying to save his ass, and everyone else's, as the six of them fled through the woods as the farmhouse she had just started calling home burned to the ground.The Governor himself was there, heading up the assault.And apparently he wanted all of their heads. Rhys was willing to bet it was because he was sporting an eye patch now.That and he felt like they owed him something for breaking into Woodbury and freeing the two captives he had been torturing.The air was rife with the scent of smoke, but there was an underlying smell of anger and madness laced with more than a little bit of excitement.It didn't matter what they had done, now they were on his list and he would hunt them down until they were dead.Or so he must believe. Rhys and Lorin knew better. They had fled into the woods behind the house, only to find d them infested with the dead.Fighting their way through was becoming harder and harder. Daryl was defending their flank with his crossbow, Merle right beside his brother, and Michonne was fighting beside Sierra on the other side. Rhys was taking point and Lorin was at the rear. They were surrounded now, the enemy closing in on two sides pushing them into a herd of the dead.And then a shot rang out too close by. And another, and another. And then the fourth time a shrill scream followed the gunshot. The scent of blood, fear and pain blossomed on the air. Rhys turned just in time to see Sierra fall, crimson blooming across her abdomen too rapidly to be anything but fatal. Rhys' vision blurred and a deafening roar split the air. She wouldn't even have realized it had come from her own throat if a second one hadn't followed.Lorin dropped by Sierra's side, already in half form, black fur spreading fast and muscles reshaping and twisting. Blood covered his now clawed black paws. The blood of a vulnerable pack member. Rhys didn't even register the shift that tore through her, splitting skin, snapping and reshaping bone in a matter of seconds. A red haze filtered over her vision as the rage took over.Both wolves turned as one and began rending any and every form that entered their field of vision.Men and the undead monsters that had taken the world fell equally beneath the massive claws and razor sharp fangs. Blood and ichor spattered fur and the forest floor as they tore through the ranks of their enemies in search of one man.The roar of truck engines and the screams of abandoned men barely registered to either wolf until they realized that their quarry had been on one of those now too far away trucks. When the redhead finally came back to herself she rushed back to her young friend's side. The other three had stayed there, guarding her as she bled out. Michonne kept glancing back, the concern and irritation at not being able to go help the girl clear in her scent as she fought off another walker. Now the blood flow had slowed and Sierra's skin was sickeningly pale. Not a good sign. Rhys dropped like a stone beside the girl, now in human form once again.For a moment the alpha wolf thought it was too late, but then she detected the sluggish beat of the blonde's heart.Rhys didn't think about what she was doing, instinct simply took over just as Lorin dropping to the ground on Sierra's other side.Rhys raised her own wrist to her mouth and bit down with fangs too sharp to be human. Blood welled, dripping to the ground. Rhys slid the other hand under her friend's head and lifted her, pressing the bleeding wound to the other girl's mouth. At first there was no response and then Sierra choked on the blood flooding her mouth. She began to swallow it in an effort no to drown.When Rhys' wrist healed itself Lorin took a turn, biting deep and tearing at his own skin before shoving his arm to the girl's mouth and forcing her to swallow again.Then as Lorin's arm began to knit back together Sierra's gray eyes snapped open and she bit down again herself, sucking harshly at the wound.Her hands clenched on Lorin's forearm as she held him in place. Rhys shoved her friend's shirt up to expose the bullet wound that was beginning to close on its own. The newly minted wolf released her pack mate's arm and screamed, head thrown back. The scream died off and she promptly passed out.Rhys had always known it was harder on the turned wolves, and that they were rare for a reason. Having been born a wolf herself she didn't know the pain of turning. Of being remade from the inside out.She did know that they were going to need a safe place to go, and there was only one place close enough to be remotely safe enough for the new wolf to ride out her turn, if she managed to survive.But at least she had a fighting chance now. Rhys stood up as Lorin scooped Sierra into his arms. She turned to Daryl."We need somewhere safe. We have to go to the prison." She told him. He nodded and took up her previous position while she took rear. Merle and Michonne took up flank guards and Lorin carried the precious cargo straight back to the farm and the surprisingly untouched RV that sat parked there like it was waiting for them. Rhys helped Lorin settle Sierra into one of the beds as Michonne started the engine, the keys having remained in the ignition like always.The alpha brushed a lock of stray blonde out of her new packmate's face and settled in beside her.This was going to be a rough night. And the next few days.But if the young girl survived she'd make a hell of a wolf. A hell of a sister.Rhys felt eyes on her and loomed up. Merle was staring her down with a glint that almost unnerved her. Then he turned away toward Daryl. Rhys looked at the other man. He didn't meet her eye.If Sierra pulled through then Rhys vowed she would talk to the man who called her. There was much to discuss. It could just as easily been him in Sierra's place. That would kill Rhys. She had heard stories of wolves that had lost a mate, in one way or another. None of their stories ended well, and madness was getting off lightly.She had waited too long, and been through too much, lost too much, to lose him now.She just had to figure out how to get around Merle to do it. He was watching too closely, and in a way that put Rhys' hackles up. There was something going on behind the man's eyes that she didn't trust. She refocused on Sierra, but kept her senses tuned to Merle, just in case. Daryl had settled in somewhat awkwardly, into his role at the small farm. It wasn't the size of Hershel's, and didn't have as much land to it. But still. It was clear that the trio that lived here had done as much as they could to make it home.The house was warm, and well taken care of, and the outbuildings bore the signs of having been repaired. The animals were a mix of older animals that had seen better days, and younger animals not even a year old. Lorin and Sierra, the younger girl, had explained that they had managed to find most of the animals by searching other farms nearby, and only a few had actually been born here.But all the animals showed that they were well cared for here. They eagerly approached looking for snacks and attention from him, as he'd seen them do with the other man. The shifter. A twinge of jealousy was stomped down viciously before it could surface. Daryl refused to see it that way. Like it was something he was denied, by accident of birth, while the other man was clearly born a shifter. Instead of pondering too closely, Daryl threw himself into work.But he didn't really have time to settle into any kind of routine before the Governor had come.And when Sierra had been shot something in Daryl shifted beneath his skin, desperate to join the fight and help the russet wolf that tore through living and dead alike, the pain, fear and rage pouring off of her in waves. Instead he had stood by the girl, fighting at his brother's side, and the swordswoman, Michonne, to keep the walkers away from Sierra.When Rhys and Lorin had both force fed the girl their blood Daryl had felt it, scented it. Another wolf had just been born.He barely registered Rhys telling him they had to go to the prison before he had jumped to follow her orders. Merle was close behind, for once quiet.Now, sitting in the back of Beast, as Rhys had fondly told them the RV was named, watching Lorin as he laid beside Sierra in wolf form, comforting her and bolstering her with the presence of her pack, it was hard to reign in his thoughts.If Sierra could make the turn, being once fully human, perhaps there was a chance for he, and even Merle to make the turn. But it would mean revealing their past. Merle would never agree to that.But... Daryl longed for it. To be able to shed his mortal skin and become what he was deep down. To finally be able to become the powerful hunter he should have been by rights, from birth.He also longed to go to Rhys, to be in her company. To be there to comfort her. He could scent her stress, her worry. He felt like a caged beast. It was starting to wear on him.And then Merle did something Daryl never would have expected. He laid a hand on his brother's shoulder and jerked his head in the direction of the redhead. Something in Merle's eyes reassured Daryl."Go on, little brother. She needs you." The older man said in a voice low enough that only the two of them could hear.That was enough for Daryl. He got up and made his way to the front of the RV, sitting beside his woman as she sat vigil. Wait, his? Shaking off the thought he cleared his throat, almost nervous to talk to her now, after several days of avoiding her."She's gonna pull through. Kid's tougher'n she looks." He said roughly. Rhys looked up at him, almost startled."I... I hope so. She's..." Rhys trailed off, her voice on the edge of cracking."Family. I get it. Believe me. There's nothing' I wouldn't do for my brother." Daryl stated. Rhys nodded. They fell silent for a few long minutes. The RV hit a pothole, though Michonne was doing her best to avoid the roughest parts of the road.Sierra had been still, but now she moaned painfully and reached out blindly toward any comfort she could find. Rhys lurched toward her, losing her footing and almost falling. Daryl reached out to steady her.As soon as his fingers touched her bare arm a jolt of electric pleasure shot through him. Rhys shuddered and looked back at him, pupils blown wide, a thin ring of vivid green around the endless black. Daryl felt time slow down. Rhys's skin broke out in goosebumps, her breath caught and she made an aborted move toward him. He started to move to meet her, the spine tingling feeling driving him forward. His eyes zeroed in on her lips. They looked soft and inviting, and he wanted nothing more than to lean forward and kiss her.But just then they were ripped out of their shared moment and reality came crashing back down as Sierra started to seize. Rhys flung herself at the girl, trying to prevent her from hurting herself. Lorin had slung his wolf body across the blonde, pinning her legs down.Daryl hesitated for barely a second before he moves to the girl and grabbed her arms, keeping her from thrashing. Rhys started talking, panic raising the tone of her voice to fever pitch."Sierra its okay. We're here! Its Rhys, and Lorin. We've got you, just calm down, don't fight it. It'll be over soon, I promise. Just relax, you're safe." She told her friend. Her hands smoothed the sweat soaked hair back from Sierra's face, soothing the girl.After what seemed like an eternity Sierra began to calm, her moans and thrashing tapering off. Finally she stilled, fingers clinging to Rhys' where the redhead had threaded her fingers with Sierra's in an attempt to calm her clawing hands. Rhys bore the bright red furrows where the other girl had dug her nails, now sharp as claws, into pale flesh. But they were already healing.Speaking of healing, the bullet wound that had torn through Sierra's side had all but closed now, the bleeding having stopped long before. Daryl took that as a good sign.He settled back, his thoughts going back to that strange feeling that had come over he and Rhys, and his thoughts toward the woman. And what it all meant.Sierra settled, for the most part, only moaning occasionally, sweating enough to soak her clothes, and jerking fitfully every now and then. Rhys didn't leave her side, nor did Lorin. Daryl didn't go far either.By the time the sun began to break over the horizon it was clear that Sierra had made it through the worst of the change. Her wound was almost completely healed over, and she was sleeping peacefully, fingers of one hand curled into Lorin's fur, the other still holding Rhys'. "The gate is in sight." Michonne spoke, startling almost everyone. Daryl and Rhys both let out sigh of relief. They would be OK.
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Rhys stepped out of the guard tower, eyes scanning the small catwalk for Daryl and Lorin. They had been given the second guard tower to stay in for the duration of Sierra's "illness", and because Rick refused to allow Merle inside the compound where the other survivors were.Sierra had pulled through her turn, and was doing much better. She was awake, finally. Now Lorin and Rhys had some explaining to do. Rhys also wanted a chance to talk to Daryl. Alone. Without Merle hanging around, as he had been since their arrival. He was finally asleep in the lower level, so Rhys took her chance.Lorin was sitting against the side of the building, one leg bent and an arm propped up on it.Daryl sat a few feet away, a bowl of something in hand, eating. His bow was there at his side, as always." She's awake." She told Lorin, knowing he had heard her approach. He nodded and got to his feet."Don't be long. I don't want to have to tell her by myself." He just about smirked as he passed, a hand landing gently on her shoulder.She hesitated some before Daryl looked up at her. He raised a single eyebrow, just like Lorin did when the black wolf knew she wanted to talk.
"We should talk." She said, leaning against the wall beside him.
"You're a shifter. Already knew that." He said. That rough velvet voice sent a trill of excitement through her. Her beast sat up and paid very acute attention, finally fully awake.
"Yeah. Not just that." She kicked her heel against the bricks behind her, ams crossed over her chest. She almost felt the heat of his gaze traveling up her bare legs. She was wearing a pair of shorts and a light blue tank top from the stash of clothes they had kept in Beast.
Rhys couldn't blame him for staring. She had stared that first day at the farm when he had appeared in a sleeveless flannel shirt that showed off his arms. Rhys fought the urge to bite her lip, both at the thought of his arms, on full display, and his eyes on her legs now.
"Whatever's between us. That... Thing in the RV." He cut to the chase. And God, Rhys just wanted to sink into the sound of his voice. She didn't realize she was blushing, but Daryl definitely did. The scent of her arousal, all sweet water and citrus flooded the air. And all the blood went south. Daryl shifted uncomfortably, eyes turning away from her.
Rhys's nostrils flared as she picked up his response to her. She thought maybe it was a coincidence. She tried to brush it off. One of her arms uncrossed and drifted down to finger the frayed edge of her denim shorts.
"Yeah. I don't know what it means. But... After Sierra has recovered, I... I want to know. What it means." Daryl's blue eyes snapped back to her. Green eyes met his, steady, and also a little unsure.
"You want to... To explore this? With me?" He asked. Rhys nodded. The blush was back. Daryl felt like the temperature had just jumped up several degrees. He wanted to cuss himself out. Here was this beautiful woman, telling him she wanted him. He had never been this unsure, this awkward and off kilter before. He usually knew what he wanted better than this.
What was it about her that threw him off so much?
Rhys looked down at her fingers, tracing the edge of her shorts, nerves playing havok with her thoughts. Maybe he didn't really want this? Maybe she was pushing boundaries. After all they barely knew each other.
Sure, she had dreamed about him. And there was the sparks that flew between them when their eyes met that first time. Rhys was sure that he was her mate. But maybe he wasn't sure. Maybe she was taking this too far, too quickly. She should back off. She moved away slightly, preparing to leave. To run, her beast muttered.
"I mean, if that's what you want. If not then I'll just-" Rhys didn't have a chance to finish her thought as Daryl had just surged to his feet, hand clamping her arm in a firm grip, not hurting her, but not allowing her to pull away. He was there suddenly, in front of her. His eyes had hardened slightly. His other arm moved to the wall beside her, caging her in. He was so close, their breath mingled. He smelled like leather, oil, and something earthy. Something that drew Rhys in.
"Don't. Don't run from this. You're an Alpha, act like it." He demanded, voice low and a little harsh. His eyes darted down to her lips. She licked them unconsciously. His pupils widened, nostrils flaring. And then he purposely leaned in.
Wait... How did he know she was an Alpha? And then the earthy scent clicked, just as his lips brushed hers.
She kissed back hard, all thoughts blanking out at the full body shudder that took her when his mouth locked on to hers. He kissed her gentle, but got rougher as she responded. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, and she opened her mouth, granting him entrance. His tongue explored her mouth, mapping the contours of her, her tongue meeting his, and setting off more sparks. Her hands had come up around his shoulders, holding him to her.
His body crowded her back against the cool stone, the hard planes of his chest pressing into her. She clung to him, her body molding to his. His thigh pushed between hers and she moaned aloud. He was hard, the rigid curve of him pressing against her belly. He groaned when she ground against him. Sparks flew and fireworks went off in her. His mouth worked hers, only pulling back when they needed air. Both of them were breathing raggedly, lops swollen and glistening.
They stood there, entwined, resting against the wall of the guard tower for several moments, panting and trying to catch their breath. Daryl moved to kiss her again. This time it was gentler, and much shorter. When theymparted he rested his forehead against hers.
"Well that just blew any doubt's I had out of the water." Rhys laughed breathlessly. Daryl's hand clenched on her hip, where it had landed during their initial kiss to drag her into him."You shouldn't doubt yourself. It's not right for an Alpha to doubt herself." He said, eyes sliding closed. He knew he'd just given everything away. He couldn't bring himself to care overmuch."You said that already. Wait, why... Why do you smell like a wolf? You aren't, are you?" Rhys looked up at him. This close he could read the confusion in her blue-green eyes."That's a long story, but no. I'm not." He told her, the sadness at his revelation palpable. Rhys understood immediately."Was your mother or father a shifter?" She asked, absolutely sure that one of his parents had been. Pain reflected in Daryl's eyes and she regretted asking."My father." He answered shortly, before she could open her mouth to retract her question."I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up any memories you'd rather leave buried." She told him, hand raising to his arm and resting there, warm and soft. Daryl didn't push her away like he would have anyone else. He felt himself leaning into the touch."S'alright. You didn't know." His lip twitched.Before either of them could say anything else Lorin's chuckle sounded from the door. The two sprang apart like teenagers.The black wolf was lounging against the doorframe, laughing."So now that you two have figured some of this out, Rhys we have things to do. And don't worry, I'll return her safely to her mate." Lorin smirked at the look on both of their faces."Lorin!" Rhys snapped, face hot."Mate?" Daryl echoed softly. Lorin only laughed and disappeared into the shadow of the portal he had been resting on.Rhys felt like panicking, but turned to find a small smile on her man's face. Hope flared in her chest."I, uh. Yeah. We're mates." She admitted. Then she bolted into the tower, snarling at her cackling packmate, leaving a bewildered, but not exactly displeased Daryl behind.
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Rhys damn near burst into tears when Sierra drew her down for a hug upon laying eyes on her. Lorin sat beside them, a hand on Sierra's shoulder. Sierra was just glad to be alive. She had no clue what she was in for. What she was becoming. Rhys pulled away from the hug and took several deep breaths. Sierra was smiling a watery smile, tears in the verge of spilling over.Rhys noticed the changes immediately. Once her eyes, once a duller brown, were now an amber-gold color that looked to be lit from within. Pale skin full of flaws was now smother, healthier. And limbs that had been about average in musculature for a human now held a definition that made her look stronger than she had just hours previously.Rhys knew all of this was good, as they were clear signs of Sierra pulling through the shift safely. If her skin had taken on an ashy tone, or her eyes had dulled, it was a sign that her body was rejecting the wolf. Death followed closely for those who didn't take.But here the little blonde was, safe, and healthy, and healed. With her pack, where she belonged. Now, Rhys just had to explain this to Sierra. She cleared her throat, settling into her role as alpha."Sierra, you were shot. You almost died." Rhys began. Sierra cut in before she could go on."I know. I remember. But how did I get here? And how am I healed? There's not even a scar." The other girl spoke quietly, her smile fading, replaced by a somber expression."We saved you. And brought you here." Lorin spoke up. Rhys glanced at him, then back to the young wolf."But there's something you need to know. About us, and about you, now." Rhys closed her eyes, trying to figure out exactly how to put this."You aren't human, I know that." Sierra stated. Lorin's eyes widened in alarm. "What? I'm not stupid, and I'm not blind. You guys are too fast, and you don't move like a human does. Too graceful, like an animal. And you have some pretty strange habits. Besides, you are just too good at hunting. No one is that lucky. Not that I'm complaining. So what exactly are you?" Rhys was dumbstruck for several long seconds. Lorin, who was likewise taken by surprise by their packmate's observations, recovered first."We're werewolves. We shift from human to wolf at will." He stated, deadpan. Sierra absorbed what he'd said, and then looked up to Rhys."Does the fact that I'm completely healed mean that I'm one now too?" Rhys nodded."We didn't have a choice. It was turn you, or let you die. And we couldn't just let you die. You're pack. You have been for a long time now." The alpha explained. Sierra bit her lip, quiet for once. "We didn't have time to give you a choice. If we had hesitated..." Lorin looked down to the concrete floor of the cell. Anxiety poured off of him in waves. Sierra must have picked it IP because she leaned over into him, ticking her smaller frame under his arm. He calmed down instantly, the touch reassuring him that he wasn't facing rejection."Thank you. You saved me. If that means I get to go all furry once a month then I can live with that." Sierra told them. Rhys snorted a laugh and then laughed harder when Sierra looked at her curiously."We aren't... We don't... Aha, we don't turn on the full moon. We can turn at will. Moon cycles don't rule us." Rhys explained, fighting down her laughter. Lorin was sniggering under his breath."Forget what you saw in movies, none of it is true. We'll teach you what you need to know, bit don't get hung up on the hype of mainstream media. That's all a bunch of crap." The black wolf managed to get out. Eventually the two stopped laughing and caught their breath. Sierra, visibly relieved, began to ask questions, seeming more like herself the longer the trio talked.By the time the sun began to set the new wolf knew the majority of what she needed to, and was ready to learn what couldn't be passed on by word of mouth.Rhys shut that down fast, citing that they were at the prison with Rick and his people, and there wasn't enough privacy here, even if Rick and a few of the others knew about werewolves, and specifically Lorin and Rhys. The alpha did promise that she would take the younger wolf out for her first shift as soon as she made a decent enough 'recovery' to satisfy the others that didn't know.***Daryl had watched Rhys go, his thoughts a jumbled mess.Mates? If they were mates then that explained the draw he had been feeling for some time now to just drop everything and take off into the forest, searching for something he hadn't understood at the time.It had been hell on him, not knowing why he felt the need to go off by himself.But he had shoved his own needs aside for the sake of Rick, Carol, Lori and the others.It hadn't been easy. But here he was now, back where he started, but so much had happened in the time since then. He had found Merle, and Rhys had come into his life. The nagging itch to run was gone, replaced with the need to protect.He wasn't prepared for this.But here it was.