Daryl and Rick stood together collecting lists from people in their pack, they needed more supplies, Rick also needed to get Daryl alone. Really truly alone, his rut was coming. He was hoping for them to spend a week exploring the surrounding area, collecting supplies, and working him through his rut.

He was trying his damndest not to worry about it, he knew once he did he would fall into it. His rut would only last four days, but he knew it was dangerous, for their pups and the pack. He would only want Daryl, and need him. He needed to take Daryl in stride and do whatever it took to mate him. Daryl was almost thankful that he wasn't able to have pups during this rut. Ruts were worse than heats, more dangerous and much more extreme.

"Michonne wants us to find a kind of soda.."

"Just do it," he smiled, "you know she and Tara are courting now."

"I know," Daryl smiled, "but what if Tara doesn't even like the soda? She says she hears it while she talks in her sleep."

"Regardless it's the thought that counts." Rick smiled, he felt himself grow hot. "We need to go now, can you handle being away from Judith for a few days?"

"Alpha I will be fine." Daryl promised.

Rick smiled thankful, he helped his mate into the vehicle and they drove. Rick turned on some music. "Oh alpha, that is horrible.."

Rick smirked as his omega smiled at him, while his singing was subpar and he was snapping off beat his smile was enough to melt Daryl's heart. They had so many worries, so many concerns for their pack and the future of their community.

With the rising threat of the alpha known as Negan, Rick was increasingly concerned, and Rick was hoping to bring in more people. People who knew how to use weapons just so he could protect his mate better.

"Thankfully the walls didn't fall," Daryl managed out as they talked about their plans. "We were saved by that, you know. If they had fallen, we would have lost too many, the wolves killed enough. Carl's back on his feet and looks like a bad ass little pirate. If the walls, well if the walls had fallen we would have lost our inventory. We are lucky to have such a stockpile."

"We are and thats why we are out here, to build it up, keep it going. On top of the fact Michonne wants not only that soda but as much toothpaste as we can find. It's gotta be baking soda or spearmint."

Daryl nodded softly, the smell of Rick's rut seeping through the seats. "Alpha we've driven far enough and with how thick you smell of rut no one will want to come around us if they even dare. Everyone knows not to be around an alpha in heat."

"Alright then," Rick smiled pulling over towards a farm. Daryl was content, he could handle helping his alpha through his rut. Rick watched him hungirly as they finally came to a complete stop. Daryl stepped out from their vehicle, he waited till Rick was in his view and dropped his clothes.

"Fuck 'mega..I wasn't expecting you to just give into my rut..."

"I'm not just making it easier for you," he grunted before he took off running. Rick smirked, he took off after his omega, his scent thick. He raced after him quickly, his gun in his pocket incase of emergency, Daryl hadn't been stupid, he kept his bow strapped to him. Naked or not this was going to be about safety as well. He knew if anything, and he meant anything, got in their path Rick would tear it to absolute shreds.

His concern wasn't very high at all, he wasn't going to not let Rick catch him, he just also wasn't into the concept of being eaten mid rut. He hid beside a tree when he saw Rick beelining for him. He grabbed him tightly, the omega yelping in surprise by how quickly he had been caught. He yanked his arm but was thrown to the ground, Rick dropped his pants and mounted his omega. Daryl grunted taking hold of the dirt below him, his bow sliding off his back. "Fuck Daryl..fuck.."

"Alpha..fu..fu.."

"Shh, we should probably be safe and go to the car pretty thing."

"Don't pull out.." Daryl whined, Rick hadn't planned on that in the first place. He picked up Daryl mid thrust, grabbing his bow and strode to the car with Daryl still being penetrated by his cock. Daryl whimpered in pleasure as he felt his cock get deep with each step. Rick needed this rut, just as much as Daryl needed to feel his desire.

He slammed him into the back of the van, Rick closed the truck quickly before roughly fucking into him. "Gonna knot you and you're gonna take it."

"Please alpha! Please.." Daryl begged, he needed him, needed his knot. They hadn't so much as touched one another since Carl's eye was shot out. The threat of the alpha wanting Daryl on top of their boy, and the wolves having attacked it was enough. Rick was trying to do anything he could for him but they were doing their very best to try not to make anything worse. Daryl was thankful enough for this situation, for this very moment.

Rick smiled as he continued his thrusting, each slam enough to send Daryl into a spasming round of begging. "Daryl, you belong to me." Rick snarled.

"Yes alpha, all yours..."

"Good," he growled as he continued his strides, "Daryl..I ah..fuck yes!" He slammed forward as he came, his knot forming deep. Daryl groaned in pleasure as he was taken by surprise, he hadn't expected him to knot so quickly. Even with the quickened knot Rick's rut wasn't going to let him stop. He continued to thrust through the knot, forcing himself deep inside Daryl's womb.

"Al..alpha fuck.."

"Yeah honey you're good, you take it."

Daryl moaned loudly, a walker or two was on the outside snarling for them but Ricks rut was mid knot. He couldn't take them out in fear of harming his omega. Couldn't do anything yet, he would kill them once he was done however. Daryl groaned loudly in pleasure. "F..fuck..alpha oh.."

"Shh you're good, you're good. You can take it omega. You can handle me Daryl."

Daryl nodded in acceptance, he knew he could handle Rick. Knew very well he was Rick's mate and his body was made for him and him only. Only a forced bond would take that away, or having his mate mark striped. Both of which he was nervous about when it came to the new threat.

Daryl yelled in pleasure as he was fucked, Rick allowed his mate to breath for a moment before he kissed him roughly. Daryl moaned, taking him in full stride. "Yeah, that's it."

They panted together moaning and grunting. This was their time, their needed time. Rick smiled, kissing him softly. "That's my good omega," Daryl smiled, taking another kiss. They finally finished once his first knot of his rut deflated, a rush of cum sliding out. Daryl passed out promptly from the fucking, but Rick was on high alert with his newly rutted omega.

He slid his pants on and annihilated the three walkers piling around their van. The omega slept soundly through the slaughter. Rick began to check out the farm house. He opened the barn door and found a van full of supplies. He checked it out in full, toothpaste for michonne, plenty of food for the pack. Even some puppy supplies, formula and anything else they could need, there was also some stuff specifically for omegas. Rick felt like this was meant just for them, he smiled. This was a win they needed.

As Rick went through the supplies, he smiled, this would make his omega happy. He opened the trunk and woke his lover. "Honey, wake up 'mega. Wake up."

Daryl turned on in the midst of his sleep. "Alpha.. What.."

"I have a surprise for you, get dressed love."

Daryl did as he was told, he got dressed quickly and waited for further instruction he knew very well that during Rick's rut he was in full dominant mode. He had to do whatever Rick asked or said or else he would be in trouble, and he knew it. He watched his alpha carefully as he took his hand and showed him towards the vehicle full of supplies.

"Alpha this is what we need, this is what we need."

"I know omega, I know.. Alright, we need to make a choice.. We have all of this stuff.. But more days of my rut."

"We need to get this back, our pack really needs this and I will not lose this." He nodded in understanding, the two stood together looking over supplies. "One more fuck before we go okay? I will sleep nearly the whole time, we can attach the car to the truck so we won't lose it."

"Alright, that's okay." Rick smiled as he pushed Daryl over, the omega bent forward dropping his pants. Rick did his very best to close the garage door so they wouldn't be seen. He slid his hand in Daryl's mouth to silence his whimpers and cries.

"Alpha.."

The alpha male smiled as he continued his forceful fuck, each thrust deeper and deeper than the last. As he fucked into his mate he heard a noise outside, he snarled and slipped from Daryl who was left exposed and whined. Rick gave Daryl a look of warning, Daryl grew silent as his mate stepped out knife and gun in hand.

A man with a beanie and bandana covering his mouth raised a hand. He was beta, that was all Rick could tell. "I'm sorry..sorry I didn't mean to get in the middle of your rut. I was just looking for supplies, and came across this car it looked nice."

Daryl kept frozen, he was thankful for his alphas rut or his scent would be easily found. "Get, I don't want to hurt you. You can tell I am rutting, so go."

The man nodded. "I'll find you again another time."

Rick snarled and waited for him to rush off before he returned to line himself up with Daryl's entrance. "Ah yeah, there we go."

"Wait alpha..who..who was that.."

"A man, beta."

"Did he scent me?"

"I don't know 'mega, what I do know however is that you're going to be silent till I finish so we don't find out if the man knows what you are or not darlin."

Daryl whimpered as he covered his lips, Daryl arched his back, he was ready to take him all the way. Daryl yelped as he was knotted. Rick held him close, and tight.

The mystery beta was watching from a far, he had scented the omega and was amazed to have smelt one let alone have the opportunity to meet one in person. Daryl whimpered happily taking the rut, he was happy he could please his alpha. Thankful Rick let him please him.

The two mates happily enjoyed one another until the omega finally passed out from the rough knot fucking he was receiving. Rick waited until his knot deflated, he carried Daryl to the passenger seat. Set him up in it, then attached their car to the truck. Rick smiled and drove out, the beta watched them carefully, following from behind.

Rick pulled up to Alexandria. The pack came out quickly concerned something went wrong but intrigued by the truckload.

"Don't get closer," Rick warned from further back, "we just found the supplies, wanted to get it back. I am taking Daryl back out, we just wanted this stuff home first."

Abraham nodded at the idea, the alpha male watching his prime unhook their vehicle and then carry Daryl to their van. "Tell Michonne she's got toothpaste for years." Rick shouted as he drove away again with Daryl in tow. The omega lazily sleeping off the sex. Rick smirked as he drove them back to the farm they found the supply truck in. This was a good place to hold up in for the time being.

The Beta that had met them at the barn waited patiently and staked out the place, it was clearly big. Had nice protective measures set up, this was going to be a great place to begin to trade with. He just had to wait until the prime returned with the omega. That would be his way of playing this out. They just had to work it out, because he wanted to show them a whole new world. Wanted to let them know there were packs out there that wanted to trade and build up in unity. Together they could rule the new world, and the way the pack seemed fitted with weapons they could maybe protect them from the saviors.

From Negan.

Rick was lucky, the rest of his rut he managed to do well. They got three more packs full of supplies, as well as scout out more ground. They didn't run into any more people, that may in some terms be due to Rick's scent. No one wants to get close to a rutting alpha. They headed back towards home, as they arrived their smiles were big. Daryl ran to Carl and Judith the moment he could. He held Judith close to him. He loved his girl, loved his little Judith.

They smiled, hugging him tightly. Their mom was back.

Beth watched and ran in for a hug, he smiled hugging her as well, Enid made her way up for a hug. The other pups came around and Daryl hugged them close. He kissed each of them on the forehead. He gave Judith a snuggle and they headed to their room. Daryl helped the pups into their bed for the night and he and Rick laid together snuggled up.

Daryl was finally asleep, Rick smiled happy to see his omega calm enough to sleep. He wrapped his arm around Daryl and snuggled closer. His omega.

They slept two hours before Rick woke to a man calling his name. Rick shot up and Daryl rolled to see a man standing in their room. Daryl yelped pulling up his bow.

"Whoa whoa. It's alright.. I'm Paul, but my friends call me Jesus."

"What are you doing in my house? With my pups, my family, my mate here?" He snarled. "You were there at the farm."

"I was, while you were in Rut."

"What the hell do you want?"

Daryl was breathing heavily as he looked over the man, he knew what he was and he wasn't sure what to do with that. He looked him up and down, he didn't feel off, he was just nervous. "I have a community, my job is to find other communities to make trade with. You seemed right to me, and you've got one thing no one has seen in a long time. An omega."

Daryl froze for a moment, his bow no longer pointing towards his head. Before Rick or Daryl could respond Judith woke and started screaming. "Momma! Momma!"

Daryl dropped his bow and raced off towards her, he knew when she cried like that she was really upset. Jesus stopped dead in his tracks. "He's.. he's her mother?"

"Carried her in this hell," Rick replied softly. "My omega is more than just special, you found a way in even with all of our wall adjustments. How?"

"Watched for an opening, climbed under a truck." He replied with a smile. Jesus watched Rick, Daryl was busy bouncing Judith trying to calm her down. She snuggled into him, he held her close.

"Momma's here.. It's okay." He held her close.

Jesus watched Rick with a soft smile. "Look, I don't want to scare you. I didn't mean to make you nervous if I did. I just wanted to invite your people to my community. Well it's not mine, clearly not a prime.. I mean our prime isn't a prime either. Not even alpha..we.. we need help. I don't know if you've heard... if you've seen or met them.. The saviors.. They hold our people hostage. We have to give them half of our supplies, if we don't... he kills us. Our people..."

Rick's eyes grew wide.

He was even more nervous about his pack, about his omega. "I want to meet your people." Rick decided. "My omega will come with, but we need to give him suppressants. Not something I like doing, but I don't want everyone under the sun knowing about my Daryl. I don't know your people, don't know if there is trust. You don't know my people, you don't know us very well. I want to make this an issue. I'm not willing to put my pups or my omega at risk. Do you trust everyone in your pack?"

"No." Jesus was being honest; he needed to give him honesty. Jesus could tell Rick was the kind of man that needed honesty.

"Who?"

"Our leader, he's a coward. Negan feels he is essentially a dog, just lets him know what he wants and he tells us. I.. I think it would be best if he didn't know what your omega is. He's not safe. I fear that our leader would try and trade him to have the saviors leave us alone."

Rick took a deep breath. "You..you're being serious?"

"I am." Jesus said softly. "I think it's safe enough for him to come, just would be safer if he was on pills. I've got a few. We've been collecting them, well I have. I have been holding out hope we would find some omegas one day, you know.. It's dangerous.. For them. For everyone, but being the generally weaker placement.. It's not easy.."

"Daryl isn't weak, my omega is not weak. Never has been never will be. However I do think it's safer if we do it this way, I won't lose my omega. I would like to bring some of my people to meet yours, we have supplies we are willing to trade. It's clear you need them if you're trying not to get killed. My omega, a few of my alphas and betas."

"Wait, you have multiple alphas here?"

"Does your pack not?" Rick asked, narrowing his eyes. "Safer to have an alpha prime, and an alpha second isn't it? Most packs have at least two alphas."

"We are all beta." Jesus replied. "Our only alpha was killed when the saviors came."

"An all beta pack isn't safe." He grunted. "In more danger than one with alphas and betas."

Jesus nodded. "We need help, honestly."

"I can tell." Rick smiled softly at the beta. Daryl finally made his way in, Judith back asleep in her crib. "Daryl, they need our help."

"Alpha," Daryl began. "I'm all for it but I think we shoul-."

"I'm going to let you take suppressants." Rick let him know. Daryl looked up in surprise.

"Really alpha?"

"I made mistakes last time, I didn't let you.. I didn't let you keep them. I didn't. I got angry and we got separated. I'm still so sorry, I don't know if they would have helped you at all.. But what happened.. I feel like that was on me. Jesus told me that their community is controlled by the saviors. Daryl, I don't know what I would do.. What I would do if that man got a hold of you.. I need you safe. Please for me, I know I hate them.. I know I do but honey I need you safe."

Jesus smiled watching them. He was however bombarded by a sudden rush of pups. Carl, Enid, Beth, and Sam were suddenly in the room. Rick yelped in surprise. "Mom!" Carl yelled.

"Whoa pups what.." Daryl asked in confusion.

The pups turned scenting the new comer. "Who's that?" Enid asked, narrowing her eyes. Beth barked as Daryl hugged her.

"A new friend," Rick promised. "What are you all doing here this early?"

"We had a surprise." They smiled.

"Don't know if I can handle more surprises." Daryl muttered but followed them down the stairs. He stepped into the kitchen. There was a breakfast, it was early morning.

"You all made this for me?"

"For everyone, but for you momma. You just dealt with dad for a whole week."

They chuckled and laughed. Rick rolled his eyes as everyone came down for their meal, the pack was quick to thank the pups and notice Jesus. "Alpha who's this?"

"This is Jesus, he is going to help us. We are going to help him, he has a pack. An all beta pack that needs our help and is being held captive by the Saviors. By Negan. He knows other communities, communities we can trade with and become friends with. To bring our packs together. We need to work together, work together to bring down the saviors and keep our omega safe. My omega."

The pack nodded in excitement for new communities. Jesus smiled. "Your world is about to geta whole lot bigger."