Allison arrives early to give Derek the army of desserts she made (hey, he did remind her how much he can eat), and so at dinner she relaxes a little, eating her fill, more than she'd usually allow herself when she knows she's patrolling later.

Tonight, unless she sees something coming, she's not going out there. The Alpha has been a shield for so long now...she hasn't been the same since losing Jason and she knows it, she can't get past it.

She's made her peace, though. He coaxed some light out of the darkness in her, but he took it with him when he left Darrow. Twice, she's let herself do more than love, she let herself believe in love, that there was a happy ending for her. She's resigned to the darkness now, and warms herself when she can around the comforting light of hearth and home.

Tonight, that's Thanksgiving dinner with Derek, and stuffing herself silly with a menu that, once again, surprises her in the best way possible. After dinner, she allows herself a glass of wine, and mostly stays on the fringes of things, merely content to bask in the soothing and happy sounds of conversation, eating, and laughter surrounding her.