When Bitty howls along with him, it feels like something in his chest gets unstuck and settles into its proper place. It’s this feeling of pack and home and right, and he doesn’t think about how it won’t last. He just lets himself live in this moment, side by side with this scrawny puppy and his first ever howl.

They keep going until the air runs out of their lungs, and Derek looks at Bitty with bright eyes, letting out a happy bark before tackling him back down into the leaves. They tumble easily down a mossy hillside, and they settle at the bottom with Derek on his back, shaggy head pillowed on Bitty’s flank where he lays on his side.