Chapter 1 1

Before My Dad died, he told me to pick between two potential mates, Rhys or Finn. But I knew the one they only admired was that pathetic Omega, Cassidy. They’d even broken tradition and marked her. So, I chose Harris, the supposedly cursed Alpha of the Shadow-fang Pack. "Rachel, the Elders are pressing you for your decision again," Elara, my handmaiden, reminded me. "Rhys or Finn—who will you choose as your mate? That’s what decides who our pack’s Alpha will be." Dad had been gone for three months. The Silver Moon Pack had lost its Alpha. Day and night, the Elders pushed me to choose between Rhys and Finn, two warriors I’d grown up with. I’ll admit, I used to have a thing for Rhys. His smile, those amber eyes, his strong shoulders – pretty much every girl in the Silver Moon Pack had a crush on him. But now, his eyes only lit up for someone else. "They're here," Elara said softly. I turned and saw Rhys and Finn striding over. Trailing behind them was Cassidy, that so-called "pure" Omega she-wolf. "The celebration's about to start, former Alpha's daughter," Finn said, his voice flat. "Thanks for the heads-up, warrior," I replied, standing a little straighter. Rhys didn't even glance my way. His gaze was locked on Cassidy, as soft and warm as a spring creek. "I’ve prepared a special gift," Rhys announced, his smile beaming. "The first kill of the day, for the future hope of our pack." My heart skipped a beat. By tradition, the first kill was offered to the future Luna. He pulled a bloody silver fox from a hide bag. I held my breath. Then he turned, dropped to one knee, and presented the kill to—Cassidy. "My strongest kill, for the purest heart." The crowd went dead silent. Then, a ripple of whispers. For me, it was a total slap in the face. "That’s not traditional," one of the Elders spoke up. "Traditions change," Rhys said, getting to his feet and patting his shoulder proudly. I spotted it right away – the special herbal dye on his shoulder, a totem only a mate could place there. He’d actually marked Cassidy… "Rachel," Finn looked at me, his voice dripping with scorn. "You should get used to this. Rhys always goes for what he wants.""I only choose those who are worthy," Rhys finally looked at me, not a hint of apology in his eyes. I turned towards the bonfire, fighting back tears. "Let the celebration begin. I need to see the Elders." The Elders were waiting for me in the highest stone house, all of them looking grim. "This is your final warning, Rachel," Head Elder Thorne said, getting straight to the point. "You must choose a mate before the full moon. If you don't, the pack will be torn apart.""And what if I don't pick Rhys or Finn?""Then the Silver Moon Pack will lose the former Alpha's bloodline, and you'll be branded a traitor." I laughed, a bitter sound. "Betray what? A pack that's already stabbed me in the back?" Just then, a guard rushed in, his face white. "Elders, a messenger from the Shadow-fang Pack is at our border!" The room fell utterly silent. The Shadow-fang Pack. The stories said they were the most savage, a pack soaked in blood and death. Their Alpha, Harris, was supposedly cursed, and every mate he’d ever had met a horrible end. "What do they want?" Thorne demanded, his voice sharp. "Alpha Harris is invoking the Moon Goddess Pact… he’s looking for a marriage alliance," the guard stammered. "He needs a female willing to be his Luna, to stop the fighting within his pack." The Elders shot panicked looks at each other. No one wanted to join that cursed pack. No parents would ever send their daughter to such a dangerous place. But I saw my chance. I got to my feet and walked towards the guard, every step solid and sure. "Tell the messenger," my voice was surprisingly steady, "Rachel of the Silver Moon Pack accepts Alpha Harris's pact." A collective gasp went through the Elders. "You're insane!" Thorne yelled. However, I clutched the wolf-fang amulet Mom had left me, lifting my chin high. "Tell the Shadow-fang messenger their new Luna is ready."

Chapter 2 2

"You're insane!" Elder Thorne slammed his fist on the table, furious. "You'll bring disaster to the entire Silver Moon Pack!" I stood in the middle of the stone house, the glares of twelve Elders like daggers. Their outrage was even stronger than I'd expected. "The Shadow-fang Alpha is a monster," Elder Iris, a female elder, said, her voice trembling. "Every single one of his mates died horribly.""More horrible than being humiliated by my own pack every day?" I sneered. Thorne walked towards me, lowering his voice. "Your father would be turning in his grave over this choice.""Send word to the messenger," I said firmly. When I left the Elders' hall, the whole Silver Moon territory was buzzing about my "madness." I kept my cool until I was safe in my own stone den, then the tears finally came. "Rachel," Elara knocked softly and came in, handing me a cup of hot tea. "Are you really sure about this?""You know I don't have a choice," I said, wiping my tears. Through the window, I saw Rhys and Finn in the training yard. They looked like they were seriously discussing something, but I caught the smirk Finn couldn't quite hide. "See? They're relieved," I said with a bitter smile. "They can't wait for me to leave." Elara sat beside me and took my hand. "They're not worth your tears." I closed my eyes, and memories flooded back. That winter when Dad was so sick, I stayed by his bedside day and night. And where were Rhys and Finn, the two everyone thought would take over as Alpha? They were off with Cassidy, picking so-called "life-saving herbs" in the forbidden lands! "This red-leaf herb can cure the Alpha's weakness," Cassidy had sworn when she came back. But after Dad took it, he got worse. "The herb needs time to work," she'd argued. Two days later, I found out it wasn't red-leaf herb at all. It was a poison weed that sped up weakness. And Cassidy’s wickedness didn't stop there. There was the ceremonial shawl my mother, who died young, had left me. It was a symbol of the Silver Moon Luna, and I always kept it treasured in a wooden chest in my den. Until Cassidy "accidentally" wandered into my den, and "accidentally" knocked over a candlestick, burning the chest and the shawl to ashes. "It's just a piece of cloth, Rachel, don't make a big deal out of it," Rhys had scolded me back then. A piece of cloth? It was the only thing I had left of my mother! I opened my eyes, anger replacing the sadness. "The Shadow-fang messenger has reached the border," Elara said softly. "The ceremony is set for the full moon, three days from now. They'll come for you then." I nodded and stood up. The door was suddenly pushed open. Rhys and Finn strode in, acting like they already owned the place. "Rachel, we need to talk," Rhys's voice was surprisingly gentle. What an act. "There's nothing to talk about," I said coldly. "Stop being stubborn," Finn cut in, his eyes full of contempt he didn't bother to hide. "You think the Shadow-fang Pack will treat you well? You'll die there!""Better than dying from fake concern here," I shot back. Rhys sighed and came closer. "Look, for old times' sake, if you change your mind, I might consider taking you." I almost laughed out loud. "Taking me?""But there are conditions," he went on. "Finn will have nothing to do with you or this marriage alliance from now on, and you can't use the pack's future to tie him down anymore.""How generous of you, Rhys," I said sarcastically. "After rejecting me for months, now you're willing to 'take' me?""Don't be ungrateful, Rachel," Finn sneered. "You think someone like you, who can't even hunt a deer, is worthy of the Shadow-fang Alpha?" I was about to fire back when the door was pushed open again. Cassidy stood there, tears welling in her eyes. "Rachel, I'm begging you!" She rushed in and actually knelt in front of me. "It's all my fault! I shouldn't have let Rhys and Finn be nice to me!" She grabbed my hand, tears streaming down her face. "Please don't sacrifice yourself because of me! I'm scared that if you leave, the pack will shun me." I watched this brilliant performance, my stomach churning. "Let her go," Rhys immediately stepped forward, gently helping Cassidy up. "You don't have to apologize to her. She chose this path herself.""But what if she's going to her death because of me?" Cassidy sobbed. "She's not doing it for you," Finn said coldly. "She's just trying to get our attention." I couldn't take it anymore. I walked to the door and yanked it open. "Out! All of you, out!""Rachel, don't be so stubborn," Rhys frowned. "Think about the consequences.""I've thought about them very clearly," I said, looking him straight in the eye. "I'd rather marry a real beast than stay here with you lot. At least a beast wouldn't pretend to love me." Their faces changed, and they finally left. Elara closed the door, looking at me with worry. "They're scared," I suddenly realized. "Not scared of me marrying the Shadow-fang Alpha, but scared I'll find something out."

Chapter 3 3

There was one more thing I had to do before I left: get my Moonstone. Every Alpha poured a part of their power into a special stone, leaving it for their heir. My father's Moonstone held immense power. By tradition, it should be mine. The five core members of the Elder council were already there. On the stone pedestal in the center, a stone glowing with a silver-blue light lay quietly. "Father's Moonstone," I said softly. "It should have been yours," Elder Thorne's voice was undeniably cold. "If you had stayed with the pack." I approached the pedestal. "It's still mine. It's my birthright.""Birthright comes with the price of loyalty," another elder said. Just as I reached out to touch the Moonstone, the main door was pushed open. Rhys, Finn, and Cassidy walked in together. "Elders," Rhys bowed. "Before Rachel takes the Moonstone, I have something to say." I raised an eyebrow. "This has nothing to do with you, Rhys.""It has everything to do with the future of the entire pack," he retorted, then turned to the Elders. "The Moonstone is the core of the Silver Moon Pack's strength. Rachel is about to marry into a rival pack. Can she still be loyal to the Silver Moon wolves?" The Elders exchanged glances. Thorne frowned. "Go on.""I propose," Rhys's voice was firm, "that the Moonstone be temporarily entrusted to Cassidy.""What?" I couldn't believe it. "On what grounds?" Finn stepped forward. "Cassidy is an Omega. Her pure nature can purify the Moonstone and maintain the balance of its power.""Nonsense!" I fumed. "The Moonstone can only be inherited by an Alpha's bloodline!" Cassidy lowered her head, looking reluctant. "I don't want to get involved in your disputes…""You think you haven't meddled enough already?!" I sneered. "Rachel," Rhys's gaze was accusing, "you should respect tradition and the Elders' decision.""Tradition?" I almost laughed. "When you offered the first kill to Cassidy, why didn't you mention tradition then?" Elder Iris cleared her throat. "Rhys's proposal has merit. You are about to become the Luna of the Shadow-fang Pack. This Moonstone represents the strength of the Silver Moon Pack.""So now I'm a traitor?" I clenched my fists. "Because I refuse to put up with hypocrisy and betrayal?""We just need to confirm your loyalty," Elder Thorne said. Cassidy suddenly spoke, her voice soft. "Perhaps Rachel could undergo a loyalty trial? That way, she can prove she deserves the Moonstone." I looked at her warily. Her face showed concern, but her eyes sparkled with anticipation. "What loyalty trial?" I asked. Elder Thorne pondered for a moment. "The Mist-filled Cave, deep in the Silver Moon Forest. If you can enter alone and retrieve the Silver Fern, you will prove you are still loyal to the pack, and the Moonstone will be yours." The Mist-filled Cave – that place full of dangerous beasts and mind-altering miasma. Even the strongest warriors wouldn't go there alone. I looked at Rhys and Finn. The undisguised glee in their eyes was impossible to miss. Cassidy even had a slight smirk on her face. "I accept," I said, holding my head high. "Rachel!" Elara, who had heard everything from outside the door, rushed in. "The Mist-filled Cave is too dangerous!""I have to go," I turned to the Elders. "I'll go today. And I'll be back before the full moon." Thorne nodded. "You have one day and one night. If you don't return by then, we'll assume you've given up." Leaving the Elders' hall, Elara followed close behind me. "They're doing this on purpose," she hissed. "They know how dangerous that cave is!""I have no choice." I returned to my den and changed into my toughest leathers. "If I don't go, the Moonstone will fall into Cassidy's hands. Can you imagine what would happen then?" Elara knew what I meant. She sighed and helped me pack a waterskin and some simple food. "Be careful of Cassidy," she warned. "I saw her gathering herbs deep in the forest last night. Near the Mist-filled Cave." I stopped what I was doing. "Are you sure?""Absolutely. She didn't know I saw her." Of course, I knew this was probably a trap carefully set by Cassidy, but I couldn't back down now. "Good luck, former Alpha's daughter," Finn sneered as he passed by. "Hope the cave's illusions don't scare you too much." Rhys stood a little further off, his expression complicated. Finally, he took a few steps closer. "Take this." He handed me a small silver knife. "At least it can protect you." I took the knife without thanking him. "If you change your mind…" he started, then trailed off. "Save it," I said, turning and walking into the forest. "I will be back. With the Silver Fern. And with the Moonstone." The forest grew darker and colder. Night fell, and I shifted into my wolf form, my silver fur glowing faintly in the moonlight. My wolf senses were much sharper than my human ones. I could hear every rustle in the forest. Small animals scurried away. Leaves whispered. Up ahead, mist began to gather. The cave was deep within it. A strange smell drifted towards me. Sweet and pungent, like some kind of herbal concoction. I instantly tensed, lowering my body and moving forward slowly. This wasn't a natural forest smell. The mist grew thicker, and the surroundings twisted and warped. Illusions started to appear. I saw my father's figure, Rhys's gentle smile, the Silver Moon Pack welcoming me home… All fake! All tricks of the mist! I forced myself to focus, concentrating on finding the cave entrance. Then, a dark opening appeared faintly in the mist. I knew this was it. In the distance, a faint blue glow – the Silver Fern. A plant that only grew in the deepest part of the cave, emitting a weak luminescence. Just as I was about to touch the Silver Fern, a huge net suddenly dropped from above! I leaped back quickly, but the edge of the net still caught my hind leg. A searing pain shot through me. Poison!

Chapter 4 4

I looked up. At the top of the cave, eight red eyes glinted with malice. A Venom-Mist Spider! What were these creatures doing here? They lived in the Death Mountains, much further north! The spider lunged at me. I desperately tore at the net, my wolf claws ripping through the sticky silk. The poison was already taking effect; my vision was blurring. Its massive jaws snapped at my head. I twisted sideways sharply, shifting back to human form and drawing the silver knife Rhys had given me. Silver flashed as the blade plunged into the spider's belly. The spider shrieked, its limbs twitching frantically. I shifted back to wolf form and lunged at its exposed weak spot – the soft tissue under its head. A fatal blow. The spider fell, but the poison was spreading. My fur was matted with it in several places, the wounds burning. Venom-Mist Spiders wouldn't just show up here. It was… Cassidy. That strange smell earlier, and the "herbs" she was gathering near the cave – it was a scent to lure the spiders! Every step felt like walking on knives. The poison seeped into my blood, making me shake all over. The illusions grew stronger. Father stood by the Silver Fern, holding out his hand to me. "Dad…" I whimpered. No. Not real. Focus! I dragged my battered body towards the Silver Fern. Sharp stones tore at my paw pads, leaving bloody prints. Finally, I bit through the stem of the Silver Fern, holding it carefully in my mouth. The journey back was even harder. The poison made my limbs increasingly numb. I practically crawled out of the cave. But just as I neared the cave entrance, I heard footsteps. "Is she dead?" A familiar voice. Finn. "Should be," came Cassidy's voice. "That dose was enough to kill a full-grown Alpha.""If she makes it back alive…""Impossible," Cassidy sneered. "Even if she killed the spider, the poison would finish her." Those two vicious rats, waiting for my corpse! I fought the sickness in my body, curled up in the shadows, perfectly still. "Let's go," Finn said. "Get back before daylight. Tomorrow we'll announce she's missing, and the Moonstone will be ours by default." After their footsteps faded, I struggled to my feet. I had to get back alive, to expose their plot. All night, until dawn, I dragged myself out of the forest. My silver fur was matted with dirt, blood, and poison, now a dull gray. Raw flesh showed in several places. The pack members stared at me in horror. Someone screamed. Someone backed away. Rhys and Finn stood at the front of the crowd, their shock impossible to hide. "She's back!" someone yelled. I walked slowly towards the Elders' stone house, leaving a trail of blood with every step. The Silver Fern was still clenched tightly in my teeth. "Rachel…" Rhys started towards me, his voice laced with fake concern. "What happened to you?" I saw a flicker of something, almost satisfaction, in his eyes. He knew about the trap too. He actually wanted me dead… "You'd do this to yourself just to get the Moonstone," Finn mocked. "You're a disgrace to the Silver Moon Pack!" I ignored them. I didn't stop until I reached the Elders' stone house, then I spat the Silver Fern onto the ground and collapsed into Elara's arms. Her tears fell onto my battered fur. "The Moonstone," I managed, shifting back to human, my voice hoarse. "It's mine now." Elder Thorne stepped forward, his face grim. "You have proven your loyalty and courage, Rachel. The Moonstone will be yours." But as I got closer, a wrongness prickled at me. The light… it was different. I reached out and touched the stone. It was cold, dead, without a trace of my father's energy. This wasn't the real Moonstone. I looked up towards the doorway, catching a flash of panic on Cassidy's face. Rhys quickly stepped forward. "You need to rest, Rachel. Come back for the Moonstone tomorrow." My voice was weak but firm. "This is… just a regular rock."

Chapter 5 5

"This isn't the real Moonstone!""Nonsense!" Elder Thorne frowned, but I could see he had doubts too. My trembling fingers touched the stone again. Still dead, no life to it at all. "Father's Moonstone has warmth, an energy pulse," I insisted. "This is just a plain rock." At the doorway, Cassidy suddenly dropped to her knees, sobbing. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Her tears fell like broken pearls. "It's my fault!""I just wanted to pray for Rachel's blessing," she stammered. "Last night, I snuck in, wanting to burn some blessing herbs on the Moonstone… and then… then I accidentally knocked over the altar. The Moonstone shattered!""The Moonstone cannot be shattered," old Elder Iris stated flatly. "But it did! It broke!" Cassidy cried even harder. "I was scared of being punished, so I… I replaced it with a normal stone, planning to confess when Rachel got back." Rhys immediately rushed forward to help Cassidy up. "Look what you've done!" I almost laughed. "What I've done?""An Alpha's Moonstone is incredibly hard. How could it break so easily?" Rhys's eyes were like daggers. "I think you planned all along to fob us off with a fake for the trial. The real one is probably hidden away, ready to be gifted to Harris!" Pain and fury washed over me. I stood up, staggering towards Rhys. "How dare you… accuse me like that?""Isn't it true?" Finn sneered from the side. "You've already betrayed the pack.""Me, betray them?" I laughed, a harsh, angry sound. "I risked my life to pass your trial, while you two were plotting to murder me!""What do you mean?" Elder Thorne asked gravely. "The Venom-Mist Spiders," I said, looking around. "They don't belong in our forest. Someone lured them into the cave, the day before my trial." Cassidy's eyes flickered, but she quickly composed herself. "Rachel, the poison has affected you. You're talking nonsense.""I heard them," I said, the words pained. "Finn and Cassidy, waiting at the cave entrance for my body.""Ridiculous!" Finn snapped. "Elders, she's clearly brain-damaged from the toxins." Cassidy stood up, her eyes glinting with a coldness. "Perhaps Rachel is trying to cover up her own crime. She deliberately lost the Moonstone to prevent it from falling into our hands, so she could offer it to her future Alpha." My eyes widened, "You—" Elara suddenly burst in. "The Moonstone has a tracking spell! The Elders can sense its presence!" Right, how could no one have thought of that? Every Alpha put a tracking spell on their Moonstone in case it was lost. "The tracking spell," I clung to this lifeline. "Elders, please, sense the Moonstone's location." The Elders hesitated. If they really used the tracking spell, the lies would have nowhere to hide. Seeing my determined gaze, Elder Thorne finally nodded. After a long wait… "No response," Thorne finally opened his eyes, his voice low. "The Moonstone… it really isn't here.""Try widening the range," I urged. The Elders tried again, this time expanding their senses to the entire pack territory. "There's a faint sense…" Elder Iris said suddenly. "But it's very faint, like something's blocking it.""Which direction?" I pressed. "North. Deep in the forest." The direction of Cassidy's den! "Search it!" I said firmly. Rhys stepped in front of me. "You have no authority to give orders.""If the Moonstone really is there," Finn sneered, "I bet you hid it yourself. After all, you were the only one in the forest last night.""I was fighting for my life in that cave last night!" I roared, feeling my wounds tear, warm blood seeping out. "Enough!" Elder Thorne's sharp voice cut through the noise. "This isn't over. We will continue to investigate. But right now, Rachel needs treatment." Rhys reluctantly moved aside, but he leaned close to my ear and whispered, "You'd better accept reality. In three days, you're leaving. Take your lies and your guilt, and get out of the Silver Moon Pack forever." I felt a wave of dizziness. "Seeing as you're about to leave," he announced loudly, "we'll let this go. Harris's party will be here in three days to collect you. Try not to bring shame on the Silver Moon Pack." The Elders ordered someone to take me back to my den for treatment. Elara followed close behind. "I believe you," she said softly. "We'll find the truth." But who else would believe me? The whole pack thought I'd stolen the Moonstone, maybe even broken it, just to stop it from falling into other hands. That night, I walked to the edge of the territory, to a quiet clearing. My father's grave. "Dad," I knelt before the grave, tears streaming down my face. "What am I going to do?" I took out the fake Moonstone and the tattered Silver Fern, carefully burying them in front of the headstone. "I will get the real Moonstone back," I whispered, making a promise. "I will clear your daughter's name." Suddenly, a slight noise came from the bushes. I froze, every muscle tensing. "Who's there?" I hissed, feeling the energy to shift welling up inside me, ready to turn wolf. A pair of eyes lit up in the darkness, like two burning rubies. Shadow-fang wolves! "You're early?" I said, trying to sound calm. "Just scouting, future Luna," a deep male voice came from the shadows. "Alpha Harris sent me to ensure your safety.""Ensure my safety?" I scoffed. "Too late for that.""We know what happened," he said calmly. "The Venom-Mist Spiders in the cave. The stolen Moonstone." I stared at him, shocked. "You've been watching me?"

Chapter 6 6

"Alpha Harris wouldn't let his future mate walk into danger unprotected.""Then why didn't you save me?" I demanded. "I nearly died in that damn cave!""The orders were to observe, not interfere. The Alpha wanted to see your capabilities and your resolve." The man paused. "He was very pleased." I snorted. "Pleased that I was humiliated? Framed?""Pleased with your courage and loyalty." The man came closer, handing me a small package. "This is a gift from the Alpha. Ointment for the poison." I hesitated before taking it. "Tell your Alpha I don't need pity.""This isn't pity. It's admiration." He turned and disappeared back into the darkness. "See you in two days, Luna." Back in my den, I opened the package. Inside was a jar of cool, green ointment. When I applied it to my wounds, the pain immediately eased. Elara slipped in quietly. Seeing the ointment, she asked in surprise, "Where did you get that?""Shadow-fang Pack," I answered briefly. "They're paying more attention to this marriage than I thought.""That's a good thing, isn't it?" I thought for a moment, then shook my head. "I don't know. But one thing I'm sure of: Cassidy stole the Moonstone. She, Rhys, and Finn planned all of this.""Can we prove it?""There's no time." I looked at the moon outside my window. "Before the full moon, Harris will come for me. And then…""Then what?" My eyes hardened with determination. "Then I will find strength from the Shadow-fang Pack. I will come back, and I will take back everything that's mine." The day of the full moon arrived. My wounds had healed surprisingly fast thanks to the Shadow-fang ointment, but the scars on my heart were still raw. "You don't have to go to the farewell ceremony, Rachel," Elara choked out. "On the contrary, I have to go." The entire pack had gathered in the square. Traditionally, this should have been a grand send-off. Pack members would cheer for me, bless me. The Alpha and Elders would give me blessings and gifts. But now, all I faced were cold stares and whispers. "Look, the traitor who stole the Moonstone.""Marrying that monster from the Shadow-fang Pack.""Her father must be spinning in his grave." I held my head high and walked steadily. If they were going to slander me, at least let them see I wouldn't be broken. In the center of the square, the Elder council was already in place. Elder Thorne held the ceremonial scroll, his expression solemn. Suddenly, the crowd parted, and Rhys strode forward. My heart clenched. He wore the dark blue ceremonial robes of a future Alpha, silver patterns gleaming in the sunlight. Noble and imposing, as if he were already the new leader of the Silver Moon Pack. And following behind him was Cassidy. Today, she'd ditched her usual "frail" act. The most glaring thing was the moonflower circlet on her head – woven from silver vines and studded with precious moonflowers. That should have been mine. It was the symbol of a Silver Moon Luna. "Looks like your wounds have healed pretty well," Rhys said coldly. "Ready for your 'new life'?""More ready than you can imagine," I replied calmly. Cassidy fiddled with her circlet, feigning concern. "I hope the Shadow-fang Pack won't mind. After all… you don't have the Moonstone anymore.""Enough with the act," I looked her straight in the eye. "You and I both know the truth." Her smile froze for a second, then became even brighter. "I only know the facts. You're no longer a member of the Silver Moon Pack. And Rhys and I will lead the pack to new glory." The words had barely left her lips when a huge roar echoed from afar. The dark ranks were closing in, and a voice, heavy with an Alpha’s authority, thundered across the square. "Is that so? ""My Luna, my destined mate, is certainly not for two clueless mongrels to disrespect!"