Derek was a little startled at the sudden hug and rush of emotion, though he caught her and tentatively patted her back soothingly, still a tad bit stunned at the force of her gratitude but glad he could help and make someone feel so thankful.
She hunched forward a little at Isaac’s sound, eyes flickering sideways. Reverting to the innocent expression, she nodded enthusiastically, bouncing again. She pointed to Derek, then Isaac, then wrote, ‘only two?’
Isaac murmured a soft apology at startling Summer though he leaned into the hand a little more as Derek rubbed his scalp. As Isaac threatened to basically purr, Derek chuckled at the paper. “Not just two. We’re actually a rather large pack, with not just wolves. I’m sure you’ll meet them all eventually,” he said with a smile.
She kept the cheerful smile on her face, even as it became increasingly false-feeling. Isaac’s contentment poured over her, and the knowledge that it was someone else’s rasped at her. She wanted that, to belong, to be wanted — was there anywhere she was wanted? Go on, go on, she nodded, elbows and knees tucked close together, shoulders hunching, trying hard to lie to them.