Lysida•
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That’s the pack house?73Please respect copyright.PENANA2M38wfEOQM
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.73Please respect copyright.PENANAzLGGA0q232
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.73Please respect copyright.PENANAREQ8RsJpWk
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.73Please respect copyright.PENANAtnNW8Td4LW
When will this fucking dream end?73Please respect copyright.PENANAdCqvTYJODn
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.73Please respect copyright.PENANAegzvtpZxZT
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.73Please respect copyright.PENANAiFp0yz5KYu
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.73Please respect copyright.PENANAwOUq9gkOw9
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. 73Please respect copyright.PENANA4lRAvrcj9R
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.”73Please respect copyright.PENANATNn1wHBq9A
The room erupts, and I tremble.73Please respect copyright.PENANAH2vuYyrClO
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”73Please respect copyright.PENANAMUrh5JHhiB
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.73Please respect copyright.PENANATynfSWRZoR
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”73Please respect copyright.PENANAO9mKeDqaVX
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.73Please respect copyright.PENANA35Z6FdpBAc
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?73Please respect copyright.PENANAMwtRMrsdQx
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.73Please respect copyright.PENANAXkecZ0Ogr3
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.73Please respect copyright.PENANAFeScBTkV9a
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.73Please respect copyright.PENANApfOV5Zn14I
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?”73Please respect copyright.PENANALo8dkDFO65
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.73Please respect copyright.PENANAHWG15cwFc4
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 73Please respect copyright.PENANAVLS52ygTy3
“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”73Please respect copyright.PENANAcglAPSc2S5
The room seethes with agreement.73Please respect copyright.PENANApMSM915TOn
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”73Please respect copyright.PENANAVpkzoAa76g
Nine.73Please respect copyright.PENANAiCctIkWHM8
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.73Please respect copyright.PENANAkeCh1H9fV5
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”73Please respect copyright.PENANAbkKO1PBxs9
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.73Please respect copyright.PENANAnPi1mrH1ul
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”73Please respect copyright.PENANAn9GjtwhmBf
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.73Please respect copyright.PENANAaqACau7GWe
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”73Please respect copyright.PENANA7n5ns19CA9
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.73Please respect copyright.PENANAKLFcnkWXrc
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”73Please respect copyright.PENANAJUGKKVtZ62
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!73Please respect copyright.PENANAwASP2JQt2F
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.73Please respect copyright.PENANAWRfeFasaqb
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.73Please respect copyright.PENANAKh3LTKS5XM
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.73Please respect copyright.PENANAbC7VcGcYsP
“Wait!”73Please respect copyright.PENANAETwBZHKxu8
A girl steps from the crowd. 73Please respect copyright.PENANAnAKUmx1pMJ
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. 73Please respect copyright.PENANArtoolJSHOA
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.73Please respect copyright.PENANAlAV9hDzSp0
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”73Please respect copyright.PENANA8q7yta64gs
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”73Please respect copyright.PENANAwXA9gHklTs
The pack howls in agreement.73Please respect copyright.PENANAD0rkUCXEbm
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”73Please respect copyright.PENANAFDwu1iT1xo
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”73Please respect copyright.PENANAeBqOeuWi83
My stomach twists. 73Please respect copyright.PENANANk6Gb7IKqi
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”73Please respect copyright.PENANAXl4uGLfe2R
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.73Please respect copyright.PENANAU70P7R89Ee
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?”73Please respect copyright.PENANAgtyv5fudec
I stiffen.73Please respect copyright.PENANACUIYi2Vs2W
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”73Please respect copyright.PENANAuUSV5lRRJA
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.73Please respect copyright.PENANAGk6ku0oXEQ
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’73Please respect copyright.PENANAKNiIc4nfVs
The first lash lands, angry.73Please respect copyright.PENANADgaTLhB2pT
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.73Please respect copyright.PENANAahGxAaH3z2
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.73Please respect copyright.PENANAnBEXhjsAPC
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”73Please respect copyright.PENANAevkvFpcex4
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.73Please respect copyright.PENANAvSrcgjZWnZ
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
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