Cora watches Derek and doesn't know who she sees. He isn't the Derek she knew, but certainly isn't as dark and evil as Peter. He walks around the loft commanding an army of teenagers, and Cora sits on the window seat watching. He's like a general who must keep his troops content to fight this endless battle, and the troops are not happy. Scott is both his second in command and rival all rolled up into one. Cora just can't understand why he allows this kid to influence him, it should be her, a Hale, consulting with him.
"It's me Uncle Peter."
She hasn't seen him since she's been back, but she remembers how Derek told her how their sister died. She fingered the stairwell where her brother fell. Peter is closed off that says she's not a solider or a member of the army, and Cora thinks that's bold of him since he killed her sister. Peter doesn't want to think he's dead because he wouldn't know who to advise. Cora wonders how Derek's other little soldiers are holding up but, she can only assume not very well.
When she sees Derek again the little English teacher is leaving the apartment. The teacher blinks all doe eyed at Cora and Peter laughs saying every king needs his consort. Derek actually seems happy to see her ever since he's gotten rid of his beta, Isaac, he seems curiously aware that he was missing a member of the pack or maybe almost getting killed has knocked some of the old Derek into him. He's almost completely healed, when he declares his revenge. He calls his war council to the apartment and Stiles appears with piles of papers on human sacrifices. Isaac hangs back in the doorway until Derek calls for him he looks relieved to be back in his favor, and Boyd greets him like a fellow solider. Scott and Alison are missing, but Derek will not allow any questions about their absence. He waves Cora over from the window suddenly and forcefully.
"Go with Stiles, and do what you have to but get Lydia to stop sleeping with one of the twins."
"Who's Lydia?" She asks, but Derek has turned his back to her again.
She messes up even threatening the stupid but, apparently genius red head. Stiles tells her Derek would never want Lydia hurt. She feels her frustration and embarrassment rising in her throat because she didn't do what her brother would want. She sits quietly after that, and watches Lydia and Stiles argue and Derek doesn't send her anywhere on his behalf ever again.
Boyd dies by unfriendly fire, and their general disappears. He's gone that's all she can tell Stiles when he shows up looking for orders. Peter decides to tell them a long-winded tale that may or may not be true. Cora sits with Stiles with her head down deep in thought, and as much as she resents him she has to respect him because they both have great perspective and are very observant. He knows Derek hasn't just retreated, he's surrendered.
Peter makes no effort to do anything and the other band of rag tag soldiers ,Scott, Alison, Isaac, and Lydia, are like chickens with their heads cut off with bodies dropping around them. Cora screams at them to step up and lead or do something. Then she realizes they're stupid kids, and not soldiers without a leader. She takes on Adien that evening, and passes out in Stiles bedroom.
She wakes up to an unshaven and tired looking Derek by her bedside. He kisses her hand relief evident in his eyes. He vows that he will get her better as if by his sheer will can make this happen. He kisses her head making another vow that he won't leave again and her heart brakes because her brother thinks he's failed her. She tries to tellDerek he doesn't have to take him all on by himself, but she passes out before she can. When she wakes he's still there, and this time he says to her.
" Maybe when you get better you can help me run things."