Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In 1944, in a last-ditch effort to win the war. Backed by a significant body of scientist, the enemy unlocked thing's that was hidden in the deepest parts of our DNA that have been locked away for thousands of years.

After the war, the Allies explored laboratories that were once controlled by a Rogue division of the SS that were spread throughout the mountains in Bavaria, and they found something unexpected. All different cultures, humans that were experimented on an turned into something unnatural. No longer folklore, these prisoners now werewolves, witches, warlocks. Even just some with enhanced human senses.

The government's tried to contain the truth for decades. But unknowingly the enemy unlocked something that they did not intend to, they multiplied, they fell in love, they made families, some just randomly emerged or changed, others tried going back to a normal life and humans noticed the difference in their returned loved ones. They became too big of a population to control. Too much burden on their government spending and the people's taxes.

By the 1960s, the governments admitted the truth. Humanity was no longer on their own.

Nearly a century after the first supernatural came into being. Now called ‘Alternate’s’. They live among the normal population, trying to get by, trying to get through life like everyone else. But now all they know is struggle.

Alternates are feared. Feared for what they are and what they can do. What they might become. They remind humanity of how they came into being. They get turned away from potential homes and employers just for what they are. Schools hold regulations and majority of them are expelled over ‘Security Risks’.

The only places that don't turn them down: Military.

Agencies and Military welcome Alternates. Not out of compassion, but what they could bring to them. Werewolves used for their strength and power. Witches and Warlocks are cunning and can create perfect strategies, others are just expandable, and their deaths are just easier to bury under classification.

Alternates do not live in peace. They survive in the back streets, alleyways, camps and slums in the world that made them, and they get turned away for just trying to live.

Chapter Text

She was there again.

Just out of reach.

He was in the forest he used to explore as a young pup. The sights and sounds familiar and comforting, giving him his escape away from his home. Trees towered over him; the leaves rustled in the wind as a thick fog settled around him.

He turned to look for her, catching the faint scent she left behind. The smell of grass in the early morning, lavender after being dried out. Something wild and ancient that leaves a magic like scent.

Every time he thinks he found her, she disappears out of the corner of his eye again. Not even Wolf can keep up with as he howls in the distance with longing,

He always tries to run after her, but he never catches up.

He keeps turning and running through the fog and trees. Pushing harder, he follows the scent. He knows she's just ahead. He can feel it in his chest, this strong pull, it drags his heart like it has a chain wrapped around it strong and tight. He wants to Shift and run after her and claim whatever is making his soul sing.

In the distance ahead, he’s sees it, blue eyes and she's surrounded by Gold.

Then the fog surrounded him, and his Wolf howled in anger.

Daryl Dixon woke with a gasp, heart feeling like it ran a mile. Taking a breathe in deeply, looking around to remember where he was. He rubbed his hand down, running the last of the sleep away. He tried his hardest to remember the dream this time, but it was already slipping away. All he could see in his mind's eye is trees and fog.

His Wolf stirred under his skin. Frustrated about the dream sequence disappearing again. Always trying and failing to hang on the to the dream, to chase the feeling that comes with it, the feeling of warmth, the smell of fire and lavenders. But as the feeling disappeared, so to did the dream and it left them both in wonder once again. Since he was a teenager, his been having this same one. And yet he and Wolf can never remember a single thing from it.

With no trace left of the dream, Daryl got up with a groan and stretched. Bones cracking under his skin, even as a werewolf, he can still feel his age. Definitely being on the wrong side of 30 these days, everything feels just abit stiffer. Feeling the chill, he quickly left his bed and found the shirt he wore yesterday and restarted the fire. Mornings were cold in the middle of Spring in Georgia, with his cabin based just on the outskirts of the Chattahoochee National Forest. He happily lives in solitude away from the looks, side-eye glances. The turning up of people's noses when they notice there's a Werewolf in their midst.

He did his time, now he gets to enjoy the rest of his life peace and quiet.

The kettle whistled over the stove, then he poured the water into a mug eagerly waiting for his coffee. Wolf prancing around in his mind ready to go in the forest for a run. But Daryl pushed him to the back, quietly murmuring ‘later’ to himself.

Grabbing his coffee and cigarettes, he goes to sit on the front deck. Breathing in the cool morning air, thanks to his enhanced hearing, the scuttles in the trees from wood creatures were all blaringly loud, sending Wolf into a frenzy. Daryl won't listen to him, he enjoyed his morning routine, and he took his time. Making sure his crossbow is beside him just in case, he had no enemies but there would still be people who would take advantage of a werewolf being on his own and no pack. The type of people that think he shouldn't even be living. But these woods are safe enough, when he moved out here. Rick insisted to have a Warlock come out and place runes and wards around his cabin. “Just in’ case” Rick said. “You never know who could find out you’re out here on your own” Daryl just scoffed and waved him off. He knew what he could do, and he could hear and smell someone coming towards him from a mile away. But next morning, he woke to a strong smell of magic surrounding his cabin. No Warlock or ex-cop in sight. Rick the sneaky basted used his scent to throw off Wolf and quietly warded up the surrounding woods. He would never admit it, but he thanked Rick silently. He knew Daryl didn't want his past to catch up to him.

He didn't regret leaving the Force. He did his time hunting whatever the Higher Ups told him to hunt; he even enjoyed it in the beginning for a time. Proving himself and becoming one of the best Alternate soldiers they’ve ever had, quickly going through the ranks thanks to his anger, skills and no shit attitude. But as the years went by, the worst got ‘worst’, and the losses became too big. Then his last mission, he knew he was done. What happened that day stuck to him like smoke he breathes in, regret that crawls around in his mind always trying to move to the forefront. He does what he can to keep himself distracted, focusing on the steam of his coffee, the smoke of his cigarette, the squirrel he sees crawling up a tree.

It was orders, he knows it was orders that day, but that doesn't mean they were the right orders. So, when Daryl received his final pay, He turned and said, “Fuck you” and left. Never looked back.

When his mind finally went back to quiet, it turned again to the dream.

He remembered the first time he had it. Couldn't remember exactly what it was but the feeling of comfort was left behind, only small comfort and Daryl the angsty teenager he was. Didn't think nothin of it. But living with his old man and his brother disappearing to fuck knows where. He started to rely on the small comfort it would provide. Like a warm blanket that surrounded his abused heart and wrapped tight. Daryl tried to hold on to the feeling of it everytime he had the dream. But it quickly goes away as he wakes up, feeling like he lost something. Like he missed someone he never met.

Wolf sensed him before he heard the engine coming up the dirt road. Daryl rolled his eyes and released a massive sigh knowing exactly who it was.

He just finished his morning hunt (In human form, Wolf clearly frustrated about it the decision. Been tearing under his skin all morning) and was finishing skinning some rabbits for supper. When he turned and saw the rusted-out Dodge Charger trying its best to get up the hill. It wheezed to a stop by the front porch and the familiar scent of Merle Dixon coming through the window.

“Get your ass out here little brother!”, yelled the familiar drawl.

Daryl sighed heavily, plopped his kill down into the sink and went to the door. Opening and leaning against it with his arms crossed. “Go away, Merle”.

Merle stomped heavily up the steps like he owned the place, grinning like he was foolishly pleased with himself. Knows how to annoy Daryl in the simplest ways “That any way to treat your big bro?”

“Ya’ aint my favorite visitor”.

“I’m yo only visitor”

“Exactly”

Merle snickered and still moved forward, plopping himself down on the seat and lit a cigarette like he owned the place. His gaze moved over the tree line “Nice place you got here, almost feels like home. All it’s missin is the beer cans an piss pots. You out here makin friends with the squirrels and shit?”

Daryl didn't even entertain him “What do ya want, Merle?”

“Where's the brotherly love? Alright straight into business, are we? Got a job goin”

“I’m retired” Daryl growled; he feels like a broken record. Merle just doesn't get it.

“Ya aint even heard it yet Mr ‘Retired’. It’s a good deal”

“Not interested”

“It's gov backed. Super hush-hush. Alternates only. Missions supposed to go for about eight weeks”

“No”

Merle studied him closely, his Wolf also staring him down. “C’mon baby brother! This could finally be our big one. Get what we want. Get us our tale” he also added under his breath “Most definitely get you some sweet pussy to see if that limp dick of yours is actually workin. You were good at the job”

Daryl closed his eyes and hid his face under hair. Again, ignoring the comment. He grew up with this, he should be used to it. “Doesn't mean I wanna keep doin’ it”

Merle sighed. For a second, he had a look of general sadness then it quickly disappeared “Jus’ think bout it right? You n’ me back at the job? We were the best when we was together”

“We also fucked up a lot of shit, Merle”

“Still Baby Brother, the ideas on the table. If you need some bread”, Merle finished his cigarette and leaned back. “Alright pussy, I should be back in bout’ eight weeks. Once I'm back, I’m pickin you up an we’re gonna hit the streets” Merle snickered. Daryl could sense his Wolf being excited too. Looking forward to hangin with his pack again.

Daryl just shook his head “No Merle, I’m done. Did ma’ time away for them. I don't owe anyone anythin. I’m done”, he said with a final voice (with a little Wolf in it too). If this conversation had been years ago, Daryl would have gladly followed Merle. No matter if it was drug running, woman or a mission. He believed all he had at the time was his brother.

But after what Daryl had seen and done. He grew up, there are a lot more worse things out there. And he’s pretty sure his seen it all. Death, torture and war. Him and his Wolf have been a part of it. And caused most of it. Only cause of orders and it made his heart heavy.

Merle had seen the same thing, done the same missions. But in Merle’s eyes, all he saw was a job. Never saw the emotional side of it, always turned a blind eye. He also turned to drinking and drugs to help him, but he would never admit that to Daryl.

Merle wiped his brow and risen from the seat. “Whatever you say Baby Brother. Ya know where to find me if ya change ya mind” He tapped Daryl on the shoulder and turned around to leave.

As he was making his way back “I’ll see you soon Country Boy! Once ya see how much I’m bringing back ya gonna be pissed!” He laughed and continue walking back to the old rusted out Dodge.

“Just make sure you get back Merle!” He didn't even turn back as he walks, just threw a hand over his shoulder in response. As he got into the car, Daryl sat himself on his chair, and watched his brother drive off knowing he would be okay. When they were both in the force together, apart from himself, Merle was probably one of the best soldiers. In human and Wolf, and because of that. The Higher Ups put up with his antics. No matter how inconsiderate, racist or downright discriminatory he can get.

Although.

The job Merle mentioned... Was odd. Daryl now coming to think of it. The military never offers any ‘special’ jobs. They just gave the Humans and Alternates alike their orders and that's it. To them just offering a job; a top secret, high gov job Merle was talking about. Daryl's never heard of something like that before.

As he watched the last of the dust settle back on to the road after the Dodge turned the corner. He stood there wondering what he’s brother might have just signed himself for and what this could mean.

With the dream and this new information running around in the back of his head. He took one last breath of fresh air in and headed back inside to finish cleaning his kills in peace.

Just the way he liked it.