Derek lunges forward to grab Bitty once he's close enough, like if he keeps one hand on each of them, they can't be torn apart. Neil is catching at him and Derek has a hand dug into his shoulder, and the other goes around Bitty's arm, dragging him in closer.

"I don't know," Derek says quietly. There are plenty of people in this city that he cares deeply for, but for right now, he just has to focus on Neil and Bitty. As long as they're safe, he can think. It's not like he has any answers, but he can think. "It must be the city. It plays tricks, does things. It has to be--"

There's a noise in the distance, something slithering along, smelling like rot and sulfur. Derek goes stiff and slowly turns towards the sound, feeling his fangs extend behind his lips when a creature emerges from the trees. It's black and scaly, big enough that Derek nearly has to look up. It's winding towards them and Derek can't tell if it has no legs, or thousands of them. What it does have is teeth, and the thing opens its gaping maw when it spots them, letting out a sound like a hiss as it starts heading their way.

"Stay behind me," Derek growls out, crowding Neil and Bitty behind him as he stares the thing down, preparing himself for a fight. This thing is threatening his pack, and the wolf inside of him wants to tear it apart.