Chapter 289: School Politics

OLLIE   It was a bold thing to say----invoking my father's authority, essentially threatening Derek's family with the possibility of a leadership challenge. But I was angry, and protective, and these were my brothers being attacked for something they couldn't control.   Derek's face flushed red. "You can't just----"   "Actually, he can," Riley said quietly, stepping forward. "Pack law is clear. The Alpha's word is final on matters of pack membership. If Alpha Xenois accepted Lake, then Lake is pack, and anyone who disputes that is disputing the Alpha's judgment. Which is, technically, a challenge to his authority."   The way Riley explained it----calm, logical, citing actual pack law----made Derek falter. He probably hadn't expected a five--year--old to throw legal precedent at him.   "Whatever," Derek muttered. "Come on, guys. Let's go play somewhere actually fun."   He and his friends slouched off toward the far side of the playground, shooting dirty looks back at us. I watched them