---- Chapter 7 I absolutely would not allow Damon to remain in the position of my mate. Damon still refused to agree, but it didn't matter. I didn't need his agreement. As long as I was willing to pay the price. Thad once been a Child of the Moon, but Children of the Moon cannot marry outside their bloodline. To be with Damon, I had abandoned my heritage, and so the Moon Goddess had turned away from me. But the Moon Goddess is the most forgiving deity. As long as I sincerely repented and paid the proper price, I could return to her side. I just needed time to gather my strength. Soon, the day of Damon's trial arrived. All werewolves were subject to the council's ---- authority-even an Alpha was no exception. Under the council's interrogation, Damon confessed to everything he had done. Murdering a Child of the Moon carried the penalty of death. After the council announced their verdict, I appeared dressed in ceremonial robes, looking down at Damon from above. "Damon, you deserve to die! Last night I communed with the Moon Goddess. She said your sins are too deep, that death would be too easy for you. She commands you to atone among the werewolf clan, to suffer the ultimate torment!" Damon had expected me to forgive him as our son's mother, not to hear these words. "Aria, we're mates! I killed our boy, and I understand why you're angry with me. But I hope your anger has limits. After I atone, you'll forgive me, won't you?" Was Damon still harboring such delusions even ---- now? I removed my ceremonial robes and shifted to my true form, revealing the scars covering my body. Those abandoned by the Moon Goddess are unworthy to bathe in moonlight. What no one knew was that this was the Moon Goddess's test. Unfortunately, no one had ever survived such marrow-deep torment. In the entire werewolf race, I was the only example. "Children of the Moon do not marry outside their bloodline. Damon, our mate bond was invalid from the beginning! From now on, you'll be nothing but a criminal, while I am beyond your reach-like the difference between clouds and mud!" Damon stared in disbelief at everything before him, tears of regret streaming down his face. Finally, several werewolves dragged him away.