Lysida•
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That’s the pack house?19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzix30G3NA
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQOtHvaYmW
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15t15O13rZ
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOnsUyT0s6
When will this fucking dream end?19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUADa2IRUsX
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXwH7W6AGh
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7MFUzS3Oz
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9LPAf9FNo
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. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuOF0V33rF
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.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZD4pPvFxf
The room erupts, and I tremble.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOFmN544wp
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXZEDpCF9W
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88QDaQgH0L
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zDQ8Jkqyt
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfT5Bi8C4eN
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?19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5YWdKxswp
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwwTfrOvi2
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSn90GNw5mB
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiZQzzr9Tb
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?”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ2ue0VKHF
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkC37L7rBjc
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKezt13DaD1
“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”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnHk339fX4
The room seethes with agreement.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoxGsYjMBh
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZhUQohfco
Nine.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d5AdBySGh
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9vDUho6tf
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”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4ObFnneN0
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCDZPF0yPD
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WCHOjrfPk
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y7slea4WG
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”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf8E18ciB4
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbvDB6cBHo
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uPtI4vLWi
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W6AZ356Yf
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DOvkorpXx
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYicbRXhEJ
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6NRbLGu9F
“Wait!”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCJm6CPhtD
A girl steps from the crowd. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDXuqHlHvo
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. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjgIhpZUqq
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlre5tgnjWw
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BmfhNAoQW
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHhdKzDmOT
The pack howls in agreement.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhVP4dQkSZ
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKzRGz8Yzh
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h33cgNXyk
My stomach twists. 19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcX1bKBZDi
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgqgZmmoW4
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RLOQPqAdz
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?”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGvhc4C2AN
I stiffen.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnBVtQfIph
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuTU04ryNc
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGltL1TTy8
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wVFJ2NT65
The first lash lands, angry.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaYVMeGwSf
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbWw2EtDL6
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI1qU1Xj2Z
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6lYtWaRI5
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.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOQbQIu2f5
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
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