The Walking Dead (Volume 25) No Turning Back by Robert Kirkman.

"With Alpha's violent "marking of their border" Rick's group are understandably infuriated. He hesitates to fight back because he knows that the Whisperers have more people. But when all that he's built begins to crumble, he decides that he has to take action. He discusses his options with Negan, of all people, and as Rick decides what to do, Negan just smiles."

5 Stars. 

Pros:  I wouldn't trust Negan as far as I could throw him but Rick kind of has no choice. I'm interested to see where this goes. 

Cons: All the standoffs and violence, I mean, come on people, try to be reasonable. 

Full Review: 

With the murders performed by Alpha, Rick is forced to return to the Fair and give the bad news. People are understandably infuriated but he can't attack Alpha. There are just too many people with her. Eugene proposed that they use Lydia, her daughter, as a hostage, but Rick won't harm a child. 

He has Andrea take Lydia and Carl to the Hilltop, where he thinks they'll be safe. Rick finds Michonne sneaking into his house and she says that she was doing it to keep Lydia safe, since talk on the street is bad. They have a heart to heart and Rick tells her that the next time she finds someone who makes her happy, she has to hold onto it. She has to stop pushing people away. 

While Andrea, Carl and Lydia travel to the Hilltop, Alpha is in the woods, grieving having to send her daughter away. One of her scouts finds her crying and says that he understands why she had to do what she did and that she should try and regain her composure, since if anyone finds her crying, they'll question her authority. She says she's working on it and promptly, cuts his throat. 

Meanwhile at Alexandria while Rick tries to explain the situation, an all our brawl breaks out. Once things settle down, he goes to Negan and asks for his help. 

At the Sanctuary, Dwight is struggling with the role of leader. His friend Laura, puts it to him bluntly, saying that his wife, Sherry was a bitch and kicked him to the curb the minute Negan offered her protection. And the minute Negan was taken down, she left Dwight for another man, so she's a bitch and she doesn't deserve him. She doesn't appreciate all that Dwight has done for them, but Laura does. He's surprised when Laura kisses him but it doesn't change his mind, he's still intent on leaving the Sanctuary. 

Negan and Rick have a heart to heart where Negan explains that Rick has to do whatever is necessary to keep his people safe, even if that means lying. Just little white lies, enough to get people to cooperate and work with him. And though Rick is distrusting of Negan, he decides to consider it. While he's walking back to his house, he's attacked by two of his men, Morton and Vincent. Rick sees their faces and Morton is convinced that they have to kill Rick now. He beats Rick viciously but Rick kills Morton in self defense and Vincent runs off. 

Once they get Rick to the infirmary he sends Michonne after Vincent. And as he gathers everyone together, he explains that his hesitancy to act against the Whisperers was out of fear. But now he understands that he can't hesitate. When Michonne brings Vincent back, Rick forgives him and explains that his plan is to create a military, an armed group that is dedicated to annihilating threats like the Whisperers. And as the people start to cheer his name, Negan can hear them in his cell and he just smiles and mutters, "Atta boy."