Lysida•
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That’s the pack house?91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz1tf7YRkY
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.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OXCJzKU0K
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.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCB0YKZlN1
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.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDyxO5Wvnk
When will this fucking dream end?91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVn9aJt0iO
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.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGdu5FJRhL
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tPvanFIFL
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.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDCuVxES4Y
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. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfcf8q9OUY
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.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbW8yGN92o
The room erupts, and I tremble.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4Xph1ZpG0
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg31OKIR3Ld
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.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpW4ZVKlFF
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOvBwg0HSQ
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.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKYzBMEZzJ
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?91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkUfNK0BW1
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.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSTmumGgQK
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.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwbYKS6Tp8
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.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFeQp5dYrk
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?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFaXEbNlEU
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1MFyWQR7i
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA5arr1PTD
“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”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DzJKGXggB
The room seethes with agreement.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcO7PRr1ya
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFgB1uYt2O
Nine.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyU3DG5eoaZ
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK5V4Lb9b3
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”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXF5rMaCXS
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VyZiHb8eG
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsiNCzlPky
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wBpK8sQNK
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”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSytKscprPS
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlz98p998Y
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFt1SFb3HH
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpya13LqYdL
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.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAihScrm6e
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.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciSv8oO31X
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh6GDJ1fyQ
“Wait!”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVsnEcDez2
A girl steps from the crowd. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxH83AROaz
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. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzksN6vpUZc
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP0NjaIrR5
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaWOF2JfSK
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHCErJAYCl
The pack howls in agreement.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZ2XEKFJL3
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZazZEzuZd
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ0d0gsd02
My stomach twists. 91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9ud4cE57c
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6swWASk12n
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMON1QA2xK
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?”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS1kbmPeZp
I stiffen.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WvuS325OW
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqivDdOErq
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.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ86Dzu50JK
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe75u7pLmAb
The first lash lands, angry.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0Hd2X1g2F
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFY2vgESdK
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KJBJn5IpW
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlXHrbHUZs
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.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbE6N8Rcxu
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
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