---- Chapter 4 I dodged the first attack. I wasn't so lucky with the second. Silver-woven chains wrapped around my wrists from behind, and a searing pain shot through me. Silver is poison to werewolves. They wanted me dead, right here, right now. "Got her!" the captain of the guard yelled triumphantly. I was forced to my knees, my hands bound tightly behind my back. Damon walked over slowly, a sadistic smirk on his face. "Still claiming to be the Alpha King's mate?" he sneered, standing over me. "Where is he now? Is he coming to save you?" The crowd erupted in laughter. ---- "How pathetic!" "And here I thought she might actually have some powerful backer!" "Just a crazy bitch!" Lyla came to my side, holding a small silver dagger. " Selena, you've disappointed me," she said, crouching down and pressing the tip of the blade to my arm. " It's wrong to lie." The blade cut into my skin. The burning pain made me clench my jaw. "We have to leave a mark," Lyla whispered. "So everyone knows what you are." She began carving into my arm. One agonizing slice, then another, as the rune for " Outcast" was etched into my flesh. The other Alphas' mates gathered around. "Let me have a turn." ---- "This is what traitors deserve." "Let's teach her a lesson she'll never forget!" Silver blades left trails of fire across my skin. Blood flowed freely. When Damon had seen enough of the humiliation, he planted his foot on my back. "Now, lie there like the dog you are and eat the dirt off the floor." Iwas shoved face-down onto the cold marble. "Eat!" he snarled, stomping on my back. "Let everyone see what the once-proud princess of Blood Moon has become!" The laughter grew louder, more piercing. "Hahaha!" "Look at the state of her!" "She totally deserves this!"