"Thanks. You helped," Derek assures him, nodding a little and looking over at him with a smile. Derek feels sleepy and relaxed, truly relaxed and happy for the first time in weeks. It's partly the food, but mostly the company.

Last year, he spent Thanksgiving in the woods as a wolf. He hunted down a rabbit and howled at the moon when it rose, overcome with grief for his family. This year was a vast improvement. He still misses his family terribly, but he can push that aside for now, and bask in the moment. "I'll pack you up some leftovers to take home. Later, when I can move again."