Lysida•
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That’s the pack house?52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUnazcpRtz
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe70bLW8hF
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPhxorumWO
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprirG9cDB9
When will this fucking dream end?52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvI6KGkBch
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbAFaZqyxN
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrPuhsLwng
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuLUR5Qa3q
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. 52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjmPDlsxkk
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.”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRJutdHiUH
The room erupts, and I tremble.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dB9zWs8fW
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQfc49VHVA
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOFfLwrkAj
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLFAdpMhdn
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmtolu1h8S
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?52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXECynytNf
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f2Xeucbee
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzreFV79By
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3wtOX6yJZ
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?”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnnyBck0oW
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxArNiIE55d
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAanCPDDxXV
“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”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsX1eBBqlN
The room seethes with agreement.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtB59FjCkl
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm08QgRveq
Nine.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqqTi0iTWR
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY4YcfNHfm
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”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHw8XNxUsV
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwDCvMqsMP
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafEbhLFkRA
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxZX77MWjK
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”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROLns6hnzf
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhucEnNCEm
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLXsbYLQtf
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76TpaaGE5m
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUU3j4q9Bu
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovi0tF5Y4m
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV8z1wdiSZ
“Wait!”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeen4d9sFNV
A girl steps from the crowd. 52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW7patkOTc
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. 52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQLqTIdY7i
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzuQMidI67
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWzvLWW0Sa
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsliQ9gURu
The pack howls in agreement.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQUQJWhczw
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe45iQ48VW
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxYwJRRtyc
My stomach twists. 52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfktyFynJVz
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRBWQGjJHl
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjKVGxB1FI
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?”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17SkjeWWZv
I stiffen.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FZKCbsnwN
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsO8hhceoB
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFJAlnQKND
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgSDIGm2Af
The first lash lands, angry.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbOiconACX
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms6QXKB7qX
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3oqFq6nvB
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qEWqvpxFJ
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.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqOdnxSOXw
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
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