---- that was once Damon away. The temple was quiet once more. Every debt had been paid. In blood. "Now," Kael said, coming to my side, "it's time to save your mother." Three hours later, in the dungeons of the Blood Moon Pack, I saw my mother, who had been imprisoned for five years. She lay on a cold stone bed, pale as a sheet, her life force nearly gone. "Mother..." I took her hand. She slowly opened her eyes. The moment she saw me, a light flared within them. " Selena... my daughter..." Kael placed his hand on her forehead, and a golden, healing energy flowed into her. ---- The stolen bloodline began to return. Color slowly came back to her face. "T knew it," she smiled weakly. "I knew my daughter would return. A true Queen." One week later, at the sacred grounds of the wolf packs, on the final day of the Great Pilgrimage, I stood before the High Throne as Kael placed the Moon Goddess's crown on my head. The silver crown glittered in the sun. "All wolves bow to the Queen!" the second -in- command declared. Below us, thousands upon thousands of werewolves dropped to one knee. "Long live the Queen!" The roar was like a tidal wave, echoing across the lands. Kael and I stood side-by-side on the throne, looking down upon our people. ---- Those who had shamed me, who had hutt me, had all paid the price. A rogue? That was never my fate.