The Council Chamber was not built for chaos.
It was built for cold deliberation, with its polished stone floors, twelve arched windows representing the founding packs, and an oval table too wide for honest conversation. But today, cold deliberation had packed its bags and fled the room entirely.
“I’m sorry, but did you say rogue sympathizer?” Celeste repeated, her voice dangerously even.
Councilman Darius, Alpha of the Stonehill Pack and self-declared expert in backhanded accusations, didn’t flinch. “It’s not a direct accusation, Alpha Celeste. Merely a concern raised by certain reports.”
“Reports written by a bitter ex who was escorted out after trying to claim me as her mate like a prize?” Hunter’s voice cut in, sharp and clipped.
“Allegedly escorted,” Darius corrected with a prim s
