---- Chapter 3 "Kneel." Damon's command cracked like a whip in the air. The hall fell silent. Every werewolf stopped talking, their gazes fixed on us. "What did you say?" I looked up at him. "T said, kneel," he repeated. "Apologize to Lyla, admit to the pathetic creature you've become, and we might consider giving you a kennel to sleep in." Lyla tugged on his sleeve pathetically. "Damon, let it go, she's my sister..." "No." Damon shook her off, a twisted pleasure burning in his eyes. "Some people have to learn the hard way. Since Selena still thinks she's someone important, it's time she learned the truth." He shot a look at a few other Alphas. "You all heard me. The Blood Moon Pack has cut ties with this... thing. She's a homeless rogue. What right does a stray ---- like her have to put on airs here?" "He's right,"' Marcus agreed. "The Great Pilgrimage is a sacred event, not a place for any stray mutt to wander in." "Tf her own pack doesn't want her, why is she still here?" Iscanned the room. They were all enjoying the show, their eyes glinting with smugness and scorn. These idiots thought I was the same helpless she- wolf they could trample on five years ago. "T'll say it one last time." Damon stepped closer, his presence menacing. 'Kneel, apologize, and then get out." I backed away a few steps, pretending to be intimidated by him. I retreated until I was next to the altar where the packs had laid their tributes for the Alpha King. ---- Lyla's tribute was an exquisite silver chalice, filled with holy water from the Blood Moon Pack. "Tt seems you want to do this the hard way," Damon's patience ran out. "In that case-" Isuddenly spun around, my arm "accidentally" sweeping across the altar. CRASH! The silver chalice hit the floor with a piercing clang. The holy water spilled everywhere. The hall was dead silent. "You-"' Lyla gasped. "What have you done?" Damon's eyes flashed crimson. "You desecrated a tribute to the Alpha King!" His voice was trembling, not with fear, but with exhilaration. "You tried to curse the King! That's a death sentence!" Perfect.