Dixons Little Shifter (Daddy Daryl Dixon)

Chapter 6: Feral Encounter

Andrea and the others, not understanding the context of the name, continued to look at the forest line. Carol, with her arm wrapped around Sophia's shoulder, tried to gently guid her away from the woods and closer to her side. She moved slowly, urging Sophia towards the white farmhouse, hoping Hershel could check her over.

"Sophia, C'mon, sweetheart," Carol's voice was low, audible only to Sophia, as she kept her gaze fixed on the forest.

"I'm not going anywhere without her; she saved my life!" Sophia declared, her voice determined, and her eyes unwaveringly focused on the woods.

"Daryl," Rick said, hinting with a nod towards the forest line. Daryl, catching Rick's cue, nodded back and slung his crossbow over one shoulder.

The rest of the group followed Sophia and Carol back towards the house, leaving Shane pacing and fuming. His mind spun as he tried to piece together what had just happened.

"We've been out there looking for her all this time, and she just strolls right onto the farm, just so happens to be the exact time that damn child walker comes out of the barn!" Shane spat, his words dripping with venom.

"Do you really think she's just appeared on the farm right when we find a walker with a striking resemblance to her, the very moment we find the barn? What are the odds? And this friend of hers, Luna, where is she?"

"I don't know," Daryl muttered with a huff, glaring daggers at Shane. His mind reeled at the fact he was the one out there searching for Sophia, not Shane or anyone else.

"Well, I intend to find out," Shane stated, turning and stomping towards the house.

"We will not be questioning the girl. Do you understand?" Rick's tone was low and stern, stopping Shane in his tracks.

"This is a delicate matter. You will not go anywhere near that girl, is that clear?" Rick continued, his eyes locked on Shane's.

Shane turned, anger palpable, his face inches from Rick's. "Is. That. Clear."

"Whatever you say," Shane spat with contempt, stalking towards the house and slamming the door behind him.

Meanwhile, Luna's heart hammered in her chest. Conflicted, she debated whether to stay hidden or run forward to follow Sophia. Her ears twitched, picking up the sounds of someone approaching.

Daryl, oblivious to Luna's presence, examined the area, his eyes catching a pile of dirty clothes and a knife. "What the hell."

Luna, still hidden among the brush, slowly stood up, her hackles raised, and ears pulled back tightly against her head.

Daryl's eyes locked onto Luna's, a mixture of fear and confusion in his eyes. Luna took a small step backward, her wolf instincts on high alert, sensing the hunter's intentions.

"Hey, there," Daryl's voice was rough and low, the kind one uses when talking to a puppy. He slowly lets out a low whistle. Luna's breathing became even more shallow as her eyes darted between Daryl and the house.

Daryl continued to approach, his hand slowly reaching for his crossbow. Luna's eyes widened, her teeth bared, as she lunged at him, her claws extended, wolf instincts taking over.

Daryl, surprised at the sudden movement, jumped back, grabbing his crossbow and firing a bolt. The bolt missed, hitting the ground with a thud. Luna stopped, her heart racing, realizing what had just transpired.

"Shit," Daryl's voice was gruff. Luna looked around frantically, her eyes landing on the bolt sticking out of the ground.

Daryl's eyes followed her gaze. "Shit, I ain't gonna hurt ya," his voice softened. Luna's gaze was fixed on him, but she remained frozen, unsure of her next move.

"C'mere, pup," Daryl's voice was low, his eyes remaining on Luna as he reached out. Luna resisted, her body on high alert, ears picking out sounds of Sophia and others in the distance.

Letting out a warning growl, Luna's body shifted, ready to make a break for it. Daryl stopped in his tracks, arms in front of him, and the crossbow behind him in a pile of leaves.

"Easy, easy," he urged. Luna's body was still shifting, her feet rooted to the spot. "C'mere," he tried again, his voice low. Bending down, he picked up the bolt from the ground, showing it to her before sliding it into a holder on his belt.

Daryl waited, watching Luna's reactions, his hands raised. He sensed something off about the wolf—perhaps the way her ocean blue eyes maintained contact or the way she stood, paws kneading the earth, claws contracting into the ground.

"I ain't gonna hurt ya," Daryl said, a mere few steps away from her. Luna's eyes scanned the area, searching for an escape route. Daryl slowly inched closer, his eyes not leaving hers.

Flattening her ears against her head, Luna growled and jumped to the side, causing Daryl to lurch forward. Daryl cursed, reaching out to grab her scruff. Luna yelped and wriggled free, her teeth sinking into Daryl's arm.

Daryl's grip loosened, and Luna twisted, freeing herself. Her fur bristled, teeth bared, she growled at him, hackles raised, and her body tense, ready to flee.

Daryl, blood trickling down his arm, stood still, his gaze fixated on the wolf. Luna, her tail thrashing, managed to twist and disappear into the forest.

Daryl cursed, his blood staining the ground, and he stormed back towards the farmhouse. Luna, heart pounding, darted back into the safety of the forest, her feet propelling her away from the hunter and her new friend, Sophia.

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Authors Note: 
This has been a difficult chapter for me to write, and the direction of this has changed.

But for now it is in a place in which I am ok with.

It is a smaller chapter due to the ever changing direction of this. But the next chapter will be more chunky.