Lysida•
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpJvKEP6t1
That’s the pack house?75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cRz5B2mLP
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.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqBEN1C5wM
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.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo5qFB8E76
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.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fLLozeznI
When will this fucking dream end?75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUeiH5bIHi
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.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tWMmqvJu1
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fekMDDpO0
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.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7KPeWNKjp
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. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04ZqpQZD98
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.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecryFYeDcl
The room erupts, and I tremble.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyYTP1wI9W
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEoOSRccLt
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.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIFrJEgrGy
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdN7zHQ5MC
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.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEnVkAIDcg
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?75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArCOOBbxwQ
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.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2FXsptsuI
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.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJLtogx1sW
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.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnQPRUtLt7
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?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRn8xxAYfa
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQx6OCsBbM
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzseom6wOD
“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”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkp58nzqY4
The room seethes with agreement.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGaTXP4Ihk
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXArooN552
Nine.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiZFkjavF3
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG9hdtebWi
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”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5AYr4fQE4
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEML8mxegIj
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLddL3VCL2
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VXdakCmEh
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”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG44zt3Gs5
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBISB9fR6e
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy01tmfLX1i
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijGeyjCPhI
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.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbGvXatd5m
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.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANWnBgPG4P
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YdWlfdbDq
“Wait!”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE7MU1cmHn
A girl steps from the crowd. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOonMCChVuI
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. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83oqQnJfG9
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDYxyr9BBu
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1Eazx9hoP
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZpLodD2xA
The pack howls in agreement.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCKuEPo9mm
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wpb6OINDj
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oe7F5x5ES
My stomach twists. 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkvX0JpicU
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjJwAQ0ubv
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr7lKsuWfD
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?”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinEbudiDeH
I stiffen.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoA76c5Idd
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSz6MiIheyB
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.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDeodbTtGh
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6DARbSN3J
The first lash lands, angry.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPyQ9gL5Cw
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPML4kssHja
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hvw2asiKW
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGspsl6Agy
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.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1Y32jzDkY
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
ns216.73.216.3da2
