---- Once invoked, no one could defy it. "No... please don't..." The Silver-claw Alpha crawled towards me on his knees. "Your Majesty, she was just confused..." "The law is the law." I looked at Kael's royal guards. " Execute the order." Two guards in black armor stepped forward immediately. "No! Let me go!" the woman struggled. "I won't accept this! How can a bitch-" She never finished her sentence. A guard's sword sliced across her throat. Blood splattered across the marble floor, a startling splash of red. The Silver-claw Alpha cradled his mate's body, letting out a howl of despair. "Take them away," I ordered. "The Silver-claw Pack is hereby exiled, effective immediately." ---- The guards dragged the body and the wailing Alpha out of the temple. The remaining wolves were paralyzed with an even deeper fear. They trembled, not daring to make a sound. Iscanned the room, looking at the once-proud Alphas. "Now, it's your turn." "Your Majesty, what must we do?" Marcus asked, his voice shaking. "It's simple," I said, pointing to their left arms. "With your own claws, carve the mark of shame on the arm that symbolizes your pack's honor." "What?" "Carve the word 'Betrayer.' Let everyone know what you have done." "No... please don't..." someone started to weep. "We'll be ruined..." ---- For a werewolf, the mark on the left arm represented their identity and honor. To bear a mark of shame meant they would be forever scorned by all other wolves. "Do you have a choice?" I asked. They looked at each other, their eyes filled with utter despair. But no one dared to refuse. I looked at the guards. "Give them the silver-laced daggers."