Lysida•
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That’s the pack house?26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qy4OXO6EK
As we inch closer, the view of a massive fortress grows bigger, and against my wish, my mouth slightly opens in awe. The stunning architecture looks like it was built from the nightmares of fallen heroes. It is tall, large and dark, spanning almost two acres of land. Giant trees surround it, making it look intimidating as hell.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjrteDvrrN
The golden sign above it reads ‘Moon-veil Pack: In Her Presence”
It glints mockingly at me, welcoming me to what feels like my impending fall. A beating, DrKon said.
The moment the guards yank me out of the cage, I know I am stepping into something far darker than just punishment.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2BIqg76eq
The chains dig into my wrists as they drag me through the stone corridors, feet scuffing against the rough ground. My body is sore, my head pounding, and my soul… heavy. My mind races, but my lips remain sealed. DrKon’s words ringing in my ears: Stay mute.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNxswxoL7J
When will this fucking dream end?26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOtfawoRx6
I smell hatred as I am dragged into what looks like a meeting hall. The hall is massive to say the least. There are blue stone pillars that rise to the high ceiling, firelight flickering against the dark carvings on the walls. The hall is packed. Warriors, wolves, adults and elders stand littered as they glare at me, their faces shadowed and hollow.
Some look battered, their arms in slings, their bodies covered in claw marks and dried blood, a sea of accusing eyes burning into me.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURIjEX8v3U
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN7pUjq75u
I am made to kneel before a man. He radiates power, and if my knowledge of the glorious world of the Lycanthrope from ‘earth’ is correct, this is definitely the Alpha. My body forces herself to bow before him. That’s how much power he holds. He seems familiar, but also unfamiliar, it’s hard to explain.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE9TFB4oxC
Getting a closer look at him, the Alpha looks to be quite tall with broad shoulders and a regal aura. I peg him to be in his late 50s. A permanent frown is etched on his face and his dark beard trimmed to precision. 26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCa9nZbIfl
He steps forward, arms crossed and ice-blue eyes cutting into me like daggers
“Lysida” he says, his voice laced with disgust. “You have disgraced us.”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLStButHr0x
The room erupts, and I tremble.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdOG5GrqSW
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbfyY3qitv
The accusations hit me like hot stones. I want to defend myself, I want to scream that I don’t fucking know what they’re talking about. That I’m not their Lysida. But then I see DrKon.
He stands at the far left, half-hidden in the crowd. His eyes meet mine, pleading; Don’t speak.
So I lower my gaze, biting my tongue so hard it nearly bleeds.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn0rgAiim6
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmZvNoev6y
The air turns heavy and my breath stills. The chills return even though the hall is hot with the crowd’s anger. I feel a dark presence behind me.
If I thought the Alpha’s aura was powerful, this one feels two times more powerful and ten times darker.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytf4ia384a
I dare turn around and take a look. As my eyes land on the source, I immediately know that this is the Luna. But which Luna has more power than her husband?26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2gwgMSjCD
The room parts as she descends the steps. Her hair is black as midnight, dancing in waves past her waist. Her gown is a deep red, the color of fresh blood under torchlight, and it clings to her tall, elegant frame. Her beauty is chilling—too perfect, too unnatural, and too dark. But it’s her eyes that freeze me. Deep black, bottomless pits of malice.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrfYiM4rrC
I lower my gaze immediately. My instincts scream at me that this woman is dangerous. And like with the Alpha, I am forced to bow.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0praCgfDDL
The Alpha’s face softens instantly. He moves to her side like a lovesick pup, his hand resting on the small of her back like a pathetic fool.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv1BhiOf5t
She stops before me and crouches, resembling a curious predator as she tilts her head. Her full lips curve into something that might be a smile... “Lysi, darling” she purrs, mock sympathy dripping from her voice. “Tell me… why did you faint?”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYOWHTg9Te
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm9tHwGk6c
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMklqsBlh39
“Nine warriors died because of your failure” she says. “Nine wolves who trusted in your gift. And what did you do?” Her voice hardens. “You collapsed. Like a pathetic, frail thing unworthy of the blood that runs through your veins”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP3Nm0oGiI
The room seethes with agreement.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB23SEWWxk
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59tfvBHNvL
Nine.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RMPbxZWGt
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cDEf05s3t
DrKon moves before I can process what’s happening. He steps into the open, hands clasped before him. “Luna” he says, voice shaky, but firm. “Let me take half of the strokes”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z2VTaxrT1
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6igGf0dmdw
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS8S4q9s6v
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡri5U6BQ8De
Something flashes in her eyes. Amusement. Cruel.
“How noble. Very well” she says, her lips stretching into a smirk. “Then she will receive fifteen strokes instead. And you will take ten of them... If you’re still feeling charitable”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjCl8VceL6
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRHwTLXN8Y
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo9poIMzB0
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii69fdhSFC
Before I can react, the guards grab us both toward an open stone yard. The only thing lighting up the place is the bright moon as it bears witness, watching in silent indifference.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABXaqH1skW
They bind our wrists to rough wooden posts as the wind howls through the courtyard. My heart hammers as a guard unfurls a massive whip, its leather cracked and cruel.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcwCldzms8
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdytqr7LJuc
“Wait!”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuMVTCGxy4
A girl steps from the crowd. 26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGoEKZlMtp
She is beautiful. Long, ink-black hair flows down her back, her crimson gown gliding against the dirt like she is untouched by this world’s filth. But it’s her face that makes my blood run cold. She is the Luna’s reflection—her carbon copy. 26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclaYu01FyK
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjm2hmUTED
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1PwP5idT7
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpafqV5ff5c
The pack howls in agreement.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPkPtOF9QO
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYURMWay6mU
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzOXeYHIBz
My stomach twists. 26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiFxG2Xxiv
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIWap0kjta
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcdDqxVIBX
Cora steps forward, her nails tracing the whip’s handle. She tilts her head at her mother, voice dripping with honey. “May I do the honors, mummy?”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjkIE2AQom
I stiffen.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoq63H5jQzj
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSIxtFemx3
Cora’s smile grows too wide. She walks toward me, slow, savoring the thrill. I grip the stone in my hand like a prayer, but I know—this is going to be hell.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryXp7Iv7U8
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjidWdvvct
The first lash lands, angry.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadVMbg3naV
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAGrYaT028
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgLewTFqMw
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxOddYUS0K
The second lash comes. My knees buckle and I feel flesh split. The third rips through me, and I feel everything. By the fourth, my world tilts, and my body gives in.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t42zdT2t4
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
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