A part of him doesn't know whether to laugh or cry at the words she utters, because he can relate, even if it's not quite the same. After Laura, Derek found himself alone, without an alpha, without a pack, and without any family (none worth noting, anyway).

"Your alpha might not be here, but they're still out there, right where you left them," he tries, hands slowly lowering to his sides, and still he doesn't make a move, but he's ready to pounce if it comes to it, to chase after her. "As long as that's true, you're not going to become an omega."