Bloodlines.

Chapter Sixteen: Negan settles in to alexnadria.

Dwight pulled the truck to a halt outside the gates of Alexandria. Negan jumped out, pulling Carl, Alyssa, and Daryl with him. He turned to Dwight, gesturing for him to stay by the truck.

"Hold tight, Dwight. I'm going in with my new best friends," Negan said with a grin.

Spencer hesitantly opened the gate, his face tense and uncertain. As Negan strode in, flanked by Alyssa, Carl, and Daryl, Spencer stepped aside, too afraid to object.

Negan led them straight to Rick's house. He rapped on the door with Lucille, smirking as Olivia opened it. Her face was a mixture of shock and relief as her eyes landed on Alyssa and Carl.

"Carl? Alyssa? Where the hell have you been? Everyone's been—" Olivia started, but her words faltered as Negan barged past her, stepping into the house like he owned it.

Alyssa followed, her jaw set, refusing to meet Olivia's gaze. Carl trailed behind her, his hand brushing against his holster as though to reassure himself it was still there. Daryl entered last, his head low, avoiding Olivia's concerned glance.

Negan looked around the house, then turned back to Olivia. "Rick isn't here?"

Olivia, flustered, shook her head. "No. He's out scavenging. For you. We're running low on supplies—practically starving here," she said, her voice trembling.

Negan turned, his grin widening as he eyed her. "Starving? You?" He let out a mocking laugh, his eyes raking over her. "And practically starving means... not really, huh?"

Olivia's face crumpled, tears spilling over as she tried to hold herself together.

Alyssa's sharp voice cut through the tension. "Real smooth, prick."

Negan turned to her, feigning offense, but the smirk never left his face. "What? Just calling it like I see it, sweetheart."

Alyssa glared at him, her fists clenched at her sides. "You're a real piece of work, you know that?"

Negan chuckled, stepping closer to her. "Oh, I know. And you, miss mouth, are a constant source of entertainment."

He turned back to Olivia, waving a dismissive hand. "Relax, lady. We'll figure out this 'starvation' situation soon enough. Maybe. Now, how about some lemonade? I hear you're real good at making it."

Olivia sniffled, muttering something under her breath before disappearing into the kitchen.

Alyssa turned to Daryl, her eyes searching his face for any sign of fight left in him. His gaze flicked up briefly, meeting hers, before dropping again. It was enough to make her blood boil. Whatever Negan had done to him, it was bad.

Negan turned to Alyssa, a sly grin playing on his face.

"Alright, miss grimes. Take me on a tour of your little slice of paradise. Let's see how you live," he said, winking.

Alyssa clenched her jaw, her anger barely concealed, but she started walking. Negan followed close behind, his boots thudding against the wooden floor. Carl and Daryl trailed at a distance, Carl glaring daggers at Negan, while Daryl's expression remained unreadable.

Alyssa begrudgingly walked Negan through the house, pointing out the rooms without much fanfare.

"This is the living room. That's the kitchen," she said curtly, her voice cold.

Negan took it all in, nodding and muttering comments under his breath. "Cozy. Real homey," he said with a smirk, tapping Lucille against a doorframe.

Alyssa led him upstairs, showing him her room next. She pushed the door open and stepped aside.