Page 37 of Make Me

Peter growled and lunged towards Cody. Cody danced out of the way and let the wolf go flying past him. Peter landed and spun around, growling. He lunged again and Cody danced away again. He caught his dad’s scent and chanced a quick glance towards the audience. His father stood in the crowd, his arms folded. Well, fuck. He couldn’t let Peter tire himself out too much then. The last thing he wanted was his father to analyze the fight and come up with more drills for Cody to run.

The next time Peter lunged, Cody danced away and then raked his claws down Peter’s hip as he passed by. Peter landed with a snarl; his eyes bright as his wolf rose because of the pain. He lunged again, and this time Cody met him in a clash of teeth and claws.

Back and forth, they traded blows. Cody took a slice to his hip but raked his claws down Peter’s belly in retaliation. He was panting, but thankfully, Peter wasn’t much better. Cody saw his opening as Peter leaped at him again. He moved out of the way and swung around, throwing Peter to the ground. Before the other wolf could move, Cody was at his throat, jaws clasped around the skin as he growled menacingly.

The arena froze as they waited for Peter’s next move. There was still a fire in Peter’s eyes, but he whined in submission and let his tail thump the floor three times. He submitted.

Cody drew back, holding in a whine as the cut on his hip burned. He couldn’t show any weakness in front of this crowd. He shifted back and stood tall. He strode over to where Peter lay, having shifted back but still lying on the ground. He held out a hand to help Peter up. Even though they had just fought, Peter’s eyes held nothing but respect as Cody helped him to his feet.

In a way, Cody appreciated that about the wolves. They were quick to anger and always on their dominance bullshit, but when the fight was over, at least for a little bit, they let it go. If it had been Alonzo, the tiger shifter in Bethany’s pride, he would still be holding a grudge and plotting how to stab Cody in the back.

The crowd around the ring slowly dispersed, and Cody reluctantly headed towards his father.

“Good fight,” his dad said, looking him over for any weakness.

Cody stood tall even as his hip ached. “Thank you, sir,” he said.

His dad wasn’t a bad Alpha, but he also subscribed to the Realm’s view that power was everything. He was always pushing Cody to be stronger so he could be more powerful. Sometimes Cody wished that he would take a breath and see Cody as his son more than a powerful tool to wield for the Pack.

His mother was the same way. She kept having lunches at the pack house with what she called “eligible females.” She didn’t seem to care if Cody liked any of the female wolves. She was just focused on finding the most powerful females so she could have powerful grandkids. Cody was sick of it. He wanted Bethany and Zack, and that was it.

“I’m glad to see you taking your responsibilities and training seriously,” Bryson said. “Although maybe we can add some more pack duties to your plate.”

Cody shook his head. “I’m focusing on preparing for the next Academy year. It’s a strict program.” That was part of it, but more than that, he didn’t want to lose any more time this summer to the Pack.

His dad hummed. “If there is another year at the Academy. There are reports of unrest in the Realm.”

Cody hid a wince. “We heard that from Coven Leader Brandlevine at the Summer Solstice. Reports of beasts not seen since the Great War.”

Bryson’s eyes sharpened on Cody. “Do you think it has anything to do with the Stonemont Triad’s Fourth?”

Cody weighed his words carefully. Change was definitely coming to the Realm, and Claire seemed to be at the center of it. She was going to need allies before all of this was over, and while Cody would stand with her, getting the pack behind her would be even better.

“I think some of the Council members feel threatened by her,” Cody said honestly. “She hasn’t had any formal training, but all signs point to her being powerful.”

“Is she a threat to the Pack?”

“No,” Cody said firmly. “Not only because she’s my friend, but she’s also one of the kindest people I know. She would only be a threat if we turned her into one by threatening her friends, but she’s definitely a powerful ally.”

“The Stonemont Triad is formidable on their own,” his dad mused. “If she’s as powerful as you say, then we definitely want them as allies.”

Cody nodded and was relieved when his dad seemed convinced.

“I wonder why the Council is spooked by her?” Bryson thought out loud.

Cody hesitated. While Bethany wasn’t sure if her mother would really lie to protect the pride, Cody couldn’t see his dad lying like that. He was inclined to think his dad believed the lie, but if he was wrong, Claire and her Triad could be at risk.

“I think,” Cody said carefully, “There might be a few on the Council who aren’t on it for the good of the people.”

Bryson’s eyes sharpened. “What do you know?”

“Nothing concrete,” Cody said, which was true. “Just what I’ve picked up at the Academy. Some people have questions about the Great War and the disappearance of the Fae and Elves.”

Cody blinked slowly when his dad snorted. “So do I,” his dad said.

Bryson chuckled when Cody’s eyebrows shot up. “Clearly I haven’t been teaching you enough strategy if you’re shocked that I have questions.”

“You just seemed…” Cody didn’t know how to say ‘a rule follower’ without sounding disrespectful.

---