The chamber's attention swung to Hardin like a tide changing direction, and Jasmine understood, with a sinking clarity, that whatever ground she'd gained in the last ten minutes was about to be contested by the one person who could unravel it with a single well-placed accusation.

"You have no standing here," Xavier said, stepping half in front of Jasmine before she could stop him. "This is a Council matter, not a lovers' quarrel you lost the right to weigh in on the moment you rejected her in front of your entire pack."

"I have every standing," Hardin said, unbothered, climbing the last steps toward the dais with the easy arrogance...