Alcide has used his gas mask tonight. Not because he wants to go exploring, but because he's still too rattled and jacked up from the days events to want to sleep until he's good and ready. He almost shifted. He felt his wolf for the first time in so damn long. He'd felt complete for just a few, wonderful seconds, and then it was gone. He's been thinking about it all day, among other things, of course, but mostly that. Because it's been his soul focus almost since day one. How can he not think about it? Every time he tries to stop or simmer down, he feels that surge of adrenaline all over again.

He's been pacing his and Derek's room, restless, unable to sit still as he tries again and again to search inward for the wolf once again. Each time he's met with that same emptiness he's felt for too long now. It's so damn frustrating he can barely stand it. The only thing to do is keep doing what he and Zee are doing. They'll figure it out eventually.

He's just laid back on his bed, above the sheets, and is staring up at the ceiling when he catches movement at the door. He looks over to see Buffy and immediately sits up to the side of his bed. "Hey. You..." He almost asks if she wants Derek, who's snoozing in the bed across the way. But he figures that's a stupid question. "What's goin' on?"