Lysida•
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That’s the pack house?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXy8fokuUi
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.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQ6hHIe0pD
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.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKBVrxlM8B
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.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGHc51iCuO
When will this fucking dream end?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8McNOe3sBh
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.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIByAxcbfz
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1LorFbeYR
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.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5JjlD0Mv7
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. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSKUEamrxH
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.”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFCMkDGq8p
The room erupts, and I tremble.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkYnovRrMD
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULyuJ8XJAr
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.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4D7bPQtH4
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPd8Vtmc58
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.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS1xZGuj8J
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?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ433DN5tQDV
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.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0BV9h3jEx
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.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IkCggmogV
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.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkiVgdv3Cp
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?”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRA7O4t21t
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6Icb6HKqJ
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU91ZM86Fz9
“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”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCa5RtsNcN
The room seethes with agreement.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT69931bMlH
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1Js6jI8jA
Nine.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uAJormu2z
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7buoV6mOk
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”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt74GzFbYvp
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqqLihjwKz
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMYAmGAuaE
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsK9AWBq6a
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”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZVbvr9Eth
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzdGAfRA4E
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSvllznJef
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3vDlTm7UJ
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.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBPdRazD7v
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.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDjIAc0CD1
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEaPenypDG
“Wait!”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k6CPIFFRu
A girl steps from the crowd. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzJLyEKRg2
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. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbmJJMSIZM
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31fQnJeGfR
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk5Oka6y37
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkGqedx32T
The pack howls in agreement.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2mP6oyllU
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc289vXbVoh
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCKLjFAPEc
My stomach twists. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0u96ma1uV
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7InFoknK4
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2CF6uNUGA
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?”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dkCK8Bo58
I stiffen.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1QZAbX045
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqK4hsI095
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.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXqy11n2xg
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOruWpCZSi
The first lash lands, angry.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpf5V21gtv
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVXnGS84ZX
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxOzwNYUjc
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEul5rF6lle
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.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqBP9vZeZZ
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
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