Lysida•
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That’s the pack house?27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz6NLx6xc8
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQNeRxfegg
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadQJkz9t85
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBXka71kfD
When will this fucking dream end?27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn0VdUOnch
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRp5MNv8mm
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwWbrlV0zz
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTU1zSwADI
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. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxonVUNJBtx
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.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJwEbHSbfU
The room erupts, and I tremble.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyizEqC4vUP
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX3k0DaaF1
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLFHmX9cai
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6qEfgbCWn
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm2K7oYOdQ
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?27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq1aBCf878
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVhimBxdZS
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHYIqnoFcZ
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSdc9lPj6L
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?”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesdSo9fYnf
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0Ah7sj20m
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyl1Mv3p4o
“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”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL3oEsZZpK
The room seethes with agreement.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtzQy7EuUb
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFY9eR1wvA
Nine.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbfg9xQAVC
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r49GooWK6
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”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDP7IXTPs3
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4xyg0Gop2
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFBuwyEr2f
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TE6tcHWGy
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”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlooKz5fbyA
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0Tw4fKnX7
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ42eDTaWky
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgcuuyWKIU
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnFctfllDt
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqmDgMlTGp
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JeeziRW7Z
“Wait!”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k04zG86jw
A girl steps from the crowd. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwgp4Jat6M
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. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmezbZj6Kh
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq21AuVxvT5
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dQmLNJzyR
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCp4Dwsour
The pack howls in agreement.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpYSIUXXbU
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOdG6Rznm5
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnwCLxwFPX
My stomach twists. 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn3TDzm3P3
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlMWBmaFaY
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlw7IJLUEE
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?”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3af5nPb7m
I stiffen.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewC1ykaZFl
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXumhlu9d3b
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlWFdpnzX9
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIJF3RfYFM
The first lash lands, angry.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2iUgaElPQ
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAapgzoEtp
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrAwdBA7HS
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaZDyWOEb6
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.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRNPxQGXnN
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
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