Derek can't help but to smile a little at the slang, and he watches Thomas curiously as he looks him over. "This is just the first phase. There are two more. Just remember, you're safe."

He takes a breath and then lets the beta shift come over him, feeling his brow rippling and hair sprouting along his jaw. He stays as calm as possible to reassure Thomas, blinking a few times and looking at him. "This is called beta shift, and it's all that most werewolves can do, where I'm from at least."

Derek hopes that by being calm and taking to Thomas while in this form, it'll help him realize that this is still him under the fangs and fur. "But I'm an alpha, so I can take it one step further. I can take the form of an actual wolf."