What!?
Another update!
Madness!
Now I'm thinking of Reedus dressed as a Spartan.
I love my brain sometimes.
This is my attempt at drama.
I struggled so ignore everything that sucks and think of Daryl and his dirty-talking voice.

Beth had begged and pleaded and exercised her previously unused feminine wiles to get Daryl to teach her how to track.

She'd grown up in a area where most people had hunted at least once in their life but she had gone through a vehement Vegan phase and had refused to even touch a rifle.

It seemed to her that tracking was the middle road and there was the added benefit of seeing Daryl in his natural habitat.

Daryl didn't walk through the woods, he stalked.

It was mesmerizing and she almost ran into a tree while she was staring at his ass.

He must have known what she was looking at and how she was reacting because he wore the sexiest little smirk she'd ever seen.

But maybe she was biased.

Daryl was wondering when Beth would realize he had been leading them in circles for 20 minutes. He wasn't a proud man but who didn't like to be appreciated?

Even if it was just his ass.

From the way his little Beth smelled she was obviously enjoying the view and since it was such a beautiful day he felt no compunction to hurry up.

The wind shifted and Daryl froze.

He smelled blood.

Wolf blood but no one he knew.

Motioning behind himself for Beth to still he lifted his head and scented the air.

Beth was startled when Daryl made a sudden movement and almost squeaked aloud.

Something felt wrong and she barely kept quiet.

Daryl grabbed her hand and veered through the brush. It seemed like he knew where he was going and all she could do was follow.

The smell of blood was growing thick and Daryl was worried.

Wolves generally avoided others and were not accident prone, Merle notwithstanding.

Ducking underneath a low branch Daryl was shocked.

There, lying at the foot of a tree, was a sleek black wolf panting in pain at the gunshot wound in it's right hindquarter.

Daryl knew more than anyone how wounded animals reacted and signaled for Beth to stay still.

Purposely stepping on a twig the wolf, a female, snapped her eyes open with a growl and attempted to stand.

Daryl gently placed his crossbow on the ground and edged closer.

"Calm down an' smell me. You know what I am."

The wolf snorted a breath and laboriously got to her feet.

A small hand fell gently on his shoulder.

"We should take her to daddy. He'll know what to do."

"Ya heard the girl. Gonna take you to her daddy. His name's Hershel. He knows 'bout us and can help you."

He gingerly knelt and took the wolf in his arms, careful not to jostle her too much. She barely made a sound and Daryl was worried she had lost too much blood.

"Stop for a second Daryl."

Beth went and unbuttoned her shirt and wadded it up to help staunch the bleeding.

"Y'ain't cold?"

"Don't worry about me. We need to get to daddy."

They both hustled and made it back to Hershel's in less than 45 minutes.

The wolf never made a sound but looked at them warily, seemingly mistrustful of her good fortune.

As the screeched to a stop in front of the farm house Hershel came out to meet them. They hadn't been quiet coming down the road and he was visibly worried.

Daryl lifted the wolf and brought her inside, Beth and Hershel leading the way to the exam room.

Beth helped her father scrub in and after a few lidocaine shots began to dig out the bullet.

She never thought she'd use the word 'stoic' for a wolf but there was no other way to describe the one in front of her.

Even Daryl seemed to be impressed as he hovered in the doorway.

"Either come in or go sit down, son. You're making me nervous."

Daryl ran his hand through his hair and sat outside the door. Nervous for someone he'd never even met.

"Now Miss," Hershel said, addressing the wolf, "You need blood. Daryl here's going to donate so you heal faster. You already know he's just like you."

Beth giggled at Daryl's put upon expression but he took his jacket off anyway for Hershel to set up the line.

As she finished taping the wound up Beth looked fondly at Daryl.

She couldn't help being enamored of her strong man-puppy.

He might growl and be terse with others but with her he was perfect.

"Oh! Daryl, won't she need clothes when she turns back?"

Daryl chuckled.

"Yeah, 'less she's one of those naked hippies who like to wander around the woods."

The wolf snapped her jaws at him and Daryl bared his teeth.

"You're not top dog here. This is my family and you best show respect."

Hershel watched with a smile on his face. He knew Daryl had claimed them all as pack.

They were all one strange, loving family.

"Beth go and grab some of Maggie's clothes and a blanket. She's going to be cold."

As Beth hurried upstairs to Maggie's old room she thought for a second on how her life had changed.

She had someone now who completed her. He loved her and her family and he wanted her forever.

Beth grabbed a pair of yoga pants and one of Maggie's old t-shirts and ran back down the stairs.

Daryl was rubbing his arm where the IV had been and was obviously hamming it up for sympathy.

His pout was adorable but she'd never call him that in front of her father.

Beth left the clothes folded on the table and went to kiss Daryl's booboo while Hershel's back was turned.

Daryl eyes darkened as she lifted his arm and pressed a kiss to the already healing puncture would.

He then growled aloud as she swiped her tongue across it and brought a drop of his blood into her mouth.

It didn't taste like the copper of her blood but rich and spicy.

Daryl couldn't take it.

He grabbed Beth's ponytail and brought her closer, kissing her fiercely and tasting his own blood in her mouth.

The wolf huffed out a breath and Hershel pointedly looked away. He knew Daryl and Beth were going to be affectionate but there were some things a father just doesn't want to see.

"Beth sweetie, can you make up the guest room for Daryl ? He needs to stay to help out our injured friend here."

Beth ducked her head beneath Daryl's to hide her furious blush.

The tension between the two of them was palpable and her mate probably had it worse than she did.

After their little interlude in Daryl's bed the night he told her they hadn't had much time to themselves.

Daryl was working round the clock for deer hunting season and Beth was not only going to school but working at her father's clinic.

In fact, their little tracking class was the first time in two weeks they had been alone.

Poor Daryl.

His dangly bits must be aching.

"Yes, daddy"

Beth untangled herself from Daryl and noted with feminine pride that he had to adjust his erection to try and make it less noticeable

It didn't really help and Daryl seemed to be hunching in on himself to try and make up the difference.

As he watched Beth flounce out the room Hershel clapped him on the shoulder.
"I know you're both young but...not in my house. Ideally you'd marry her first, right son?"

Hershel's grip tightened and Daryl nodded dutifully.

It wasn't as if he hadn't thought of marriage and kids with Beth but she was only 19 and he thought she might want more time before settling down with a 36 year old man who could shift into a wolf and had a drunken idiot for a brother.

Daryl sighed and wished Hershel a good night.

The older man needed his rest.

The wolf's eyes were at half mast and Daryl left the room with an unspoken promise to get to the bottom of this mess in the morning.

Beth couldn't sleep.

She knew Daryl was right down the hall and probably sleeping in his underwear and she wasn't with him .

'Well this just won't do' she thought to herself.

The house was quiet as she tiptoed to the guest room.

Her parents were asleep and she hoped Daryl didn't mind a little cuddle...or more.

Honestly, she was about to crawl out of her skin.

A girl can only take care of herself so much before she needs more.

Daryl was sleeping flat on his back, the pillow fallen on the floor.

She must be in love because she found the tiny bit of drool at the corner of his mouth adorable.

Toeing off her slippers Beth lifted the covers and slid in next to him, latching on like a love-starved barnacle.

Daryl must have known on some level she was next to him because his arm came around her and he shifted until her head was on his shoulder.

Beth stifled a yawn.

He was so warm and smelled so wonderful she couldn't think of anything but sleep so she closed her eyes and let herself drift away.

Daryl could have sworn he went to bed alone but when he woke up it was to an armful of warm, delicious Beth.

While he was quite happy she had sought him out sometime last night he was anxious that Hershel might find out.

He specifically told Daryl to avoid any funny business in his house and now Beth was in his arms and he was once again just in his underwear.

The sun was just starting to peak through the trees and Daryl thought they'd have enough time to get Beth back to bed and to avoid any drama.

Hershel may be in his 70s but he was still a force to be reckoned with.

Allowing himself to breathe in the scent of her hair one last time Daryl nudged Beth until her sleep heavy eyes cracked open.

"G'morning sweetheart."

Beth grumbled something about ' too early' and tried to bury herself in his chest.

"Beth, you know if your daddy sees you in here he's going to be pissed and might try and neuter me."

She sighed and looked up at Daryl.

"I'll protect you. I need those for the future."

Daryl snorted and lay a kiss on the curve of her shoulder.

"The future huh?"

"The very near future. I'm about to spontaneously combust here!"

He groaned.

"Y'can't tell a man that, Beth. I can't do anything about it right now."

Her pouting was going to kill him.

"But the second I can..."

He bit down harshly on her neck and Beth responded beautifully with a moan.

"Now, run along before everyone gets up."

Beth huffed and flounced out of bed.

She was about to turn and say something snarky back at him but he smacked her on the ass first

Daryl wasn't prepared for the gush of her sweet scent when he did and he had to restrain himself from grabbing her and keeping her in the bed for hours.

"Go...now." He growled out.

Beth walked away with a smirk.

As she snuck back into her room Beth wasn't prepared to run into her mother.

Annette seemed to be totally fine with the fact that her daughter had spent the night in her boyfriend's room.

In fact she almost looked to be beaming and Beth could have sworn she heard something about grandpuppies.

Shaking it off she changed quickly into jeans and a t-shirt and walked downstairs to see a beautiful black woman sitting at her dining room table eating bacon.

Taking a seat across from her Beth introduced herself.

"Uh...hi. My name's Beth. How are you feeling?"

The woman seemed graceful and strong as can be and barely looked like she had been shot just the day before.

"My name is Michonne. I'm fine. Thank you for all your help."

Yeah stoic was a great word for her.

Before things could get awkward Daryl came in with his and Beth's plate.

Daryl must have been starving because his plate had at least three layers of eggs, sausage, and bacon along with biscuits.

As Hershel and Annette came in with their own plates all eyes went to Michonne.

"So, would you like to explain what happened?" Hershel said.

Michonne folded her napkin and sighed.

"Are there others like us?" she questioned Daryl.

Daryl nodded and caught Michonne's gaze.

"Why?"

"Because this will affect all of us."

As Rick, Merle, and Carl met Michonne Beth's anxiety went up.

This woman didn't look like she would fear anything but there was something hounding her and it set everyone's teeth on edge.

Michonne gingerly sat down on a chair, still sore from the day before

"I've been alone for a very long time." she began.

"I lost the people closest to me and decided I didn't need anyone until...until I met Andrea."

Michonne took a deep breath and continued.
"Andrea was like us; a wolf. She brought me back from the brink but I lost her too. There's a man who hates us. He blames us for his wife and daughter's death so he's making it his mission to kill as many wolves as he can."

Daryl was gripping Beth's hand tightly and his teeth were bared.

"So you brought him to us?!" he exploded as he jumped to his feet.

"We have families!"

"Daryl, calm down" Rick said, dragging a hand through his hair.
"What else could she do? She needed help and Hershel is the best man in the state."

Merle had been silent thus far but snorted at Rick.

"Yeah she needed help an' now she's got it. Don't like no madman threatening pack."

Michonne simply nodded at Merle in thanks and caught Daryl's eye.

"His name is Philip and he has a group of men that hunt with him. They call him the Governor because he's charming and charismatic but it's all a facade. On the inside he's a monster, a real monster."

"Well what can we do?" Beth asked.

Daryl looked at her incredulously.

"You ain't doing nothing. I'm keeping this as far away from you as possible."

Even Michonne could see that was the wrong thing to say.

"Daryl, love, this affects you and affects the people we know. Therefore I'm going to help." Beth said in a sickly sweet tone as she dug her nails into Daryl's palm.

Quailing in the face of such defiance Daryl sighed and stretched his hand. She hadn't broken the skin but it still hurt.

He loved Beth but sometimes she reminded him of a wet kitten hissing at the world.

"At least stick by me."

Beth knew she won so she figured she could give Daryl that much.

"Maybe it would be best if you sat this out. He has even less sympathy for humans who are with wolves. Something about dirtying yourself with animals?"

Beth's face turned red.

"Is that supposed to make me want to stay away? This man's horrible and I want to kick his ass myself!"

"Beth! No cursing!"

Hershel looked stern but he understood herself where her vehemence was coming from. He dealt with men like this Governor years ago when he was young.

Carl looked at his father with wide eyes.

"What will this mean for Mom and Judi?"

Rick knelt in front of his son.

"You know we'll all protect them. You'll be able to come out with us soon and then you can help us keep everyone safe."

Carl straightened his shoulders and nodded at his father, resolute.

"He close to here?" Merle asked.

"When he shot me we were about 2 hours north. I was trying to end this once and for all but he trapped me. I only got loose by scratching his eye out."

Beth shuddered lightly.

Carl and Merle both looked impressed but Beth felt nauseous.

Daryl must have picked up on it because he tucked her further into his side and gave Michonne the stink-eye.

"So now we got an angry, wolf killer that's missing an eye? Great and he's coming right for us."

Hershel seemed to be thinking deeply. He sighed and looked around.

"Seems like the safest thing to do would be to keep all the women and children in one place we can defend. I don't mind everyone staying here. Quarters may be a little cramped but it's safe."

Rick, Daryl, and Merle shared a look and nodded to Hershel.

As Rick and Carl left to go get Lori and Judith Daryl and Merle went outside for a second.

"Not doing so hot are ya baby brother" Merle asked as he handed Daryl a cigarette.

Daryl groaned a took a long drag.

"Can't get any fucking time alone. It's killin' me."

"Well maybe you two can bunk together."

Daryl shook his head.

"Hershel told me not in the house."

Merle just laughed.

"Well then think outside the box, boy! We got a hayloft right over there you can use. You'll be useless until you do and from the way she's acting she wants it just as bad."

Throwing an arm around his brother's shoulders Merle brought them both back into the house.

"Now you stay here and work this out with Lil Bit and her pa. I'ma go get our shit so we can make a stand here."

Daryl watched his brother drive away from the window.

He really was going to be useless if he couldn't stay around Beth.

Every instinct he had was screaming to take her and run. Keep her close and safe at all times.

Sighing Daryl went to find Hershel who was cleaning his old shotgun at the dining room table.

"Y'need something son?"
"I need to be around Beth."

Hershel stopped and looked at him incredulously.

"I thought we already agreed; not in the house."

Daryl clenched his fists and tried to hide the blush riding high on his cheekbones.

"I'm not talking about...that. I'm just talking about being near her. I can't think when she's not here. All I can focus on is keeping her safe and I can't do that if she's not with me."

Hershel placed the gun on the table and stood.

"If it's alright with her you can stay in her room but I expect the door to be open at all times."

Daryl grumbled but agreed. He'd get some sleep and he'd get his mate tucked by his side where she was meant to be.

Beth was remaking the first guest bedroom's bed when a taut, muscled stomach was pressed against her back and a nose was buried in her hair.

"Ya daddy don't mind if I sleep in your bed."

Beth looked over her shoulder in shock.

"I don't know what you did to convince him but you must be magic to have gotten him to agree."

Daryl sighed and pulled away so he could spin her around and talk to her face to face.

"We gotta keep the door open but other than that I'm sure we'll be fine."

Beth snuck her hand between their bodies and rubbed her palm over the prominent tent in his weathered jeans.

"Aww, my poor wolf. All ready to go and nowhere to be."

Daryl was panting and growling all at the same time. His pupils were huge and there was only the thinnest ring of blue to be seen.

"I'm going to remember all your teasing little girl and one day soon I'll make you pay." he said as he licked a fat stripe on her jaw.

"I know I'm not the only one aching here."

He grabbed her wrists and held them in one large hand while sneaking his other hand down the front of her pants.

"I can feel how wet you are and God knows I can smell it. You're hurting and empty and soon I'm going to bury myself so deep inside you won't ever get me out. "

Beth was gasping and rocking against his palm.

She was so close but when she was just about to crest he pulled back.

"Daryl! Please!"

Daryl chuckled and lay a chaste kiss on her forehead.

"Nah sweetheart. I'm going to let you burn for it. Soon. I promise." and with that he walked away leaving Beth to wonder if there were enough batteries in the world to help her through this.