---- "Impersonate?" Kael slowly rose to his feet. An immense pressure washed over the hall. Everyone present felt the crushing weight and instinctively took a step back. "You believe she was impersonating my mate?" Damon gritted his teeth and forced himself to speak. " Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness, but that woman is truly unworthy of such a title. She was cast out by the Blood Moon Pack and spent five years in the Far North. Her virtue... is long gone." "Besides," Lyla added, "if she really was your mate, why was she at the banquet alone? Why did no one introduce her?" The crowd began to murmur, clearly finding this point logical. "A good question," Kael's voice held a dangerous undertone. "Since you are all so concerned about the identity of my mate, I suppose I should let you meet her." ---- He turned towards the alcove behind the throne. "Come out." I took a deep breath. It was time. The veil was drawn aside. I walked out slowly, draped in a gown the color of moonlight, fit for a queen. It was embroidered with moonstones that glittered in the temple light. My hair was swept up in an intricate style, topped with the Moon Goddess's crown. Around my neck was the golden choker that symbolized ultimate power. Gasps rippled through the hall. "Impossible..." "How could she be..." ---- "This can't be!" I walked to Kael's side. He held out his hand, and I placed mine in his. "Everyone," Kael's voice rang through the temple, " this is my fated mate, the Luna of the Winter-fang Pack, and your future Queen." As he finished speaking, the golden mate marks on both our necks lit up in unison. It was the sacred symbol only true fated mates possessed. The crowd was completely stunned. The blood drained from Damon's face, leaving it as white as paper. Lyla clutched her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief. The others were simply dumbfounded. I walked to the edge of the platform and looked down at them. ---- My eyes landed on Damon, and I spoke slowly. "Disciplining? Or was it to cover up the crime of using dark magic to steal my mother's bloodline?"