Lysida•
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOxaAakftJ
That’s the pack house?32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8rI3jwAuB
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApMSexrtUk
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp3IYQyy81
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKZQ0TzX6D
When will this fucking dream end?32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpEzyagoIh
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nEZJ61OgM
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX75w3yTZKa
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUtRLBiLjG
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. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedS1gya2zy
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.”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6r9Q0FaSO
The room erupts, and I tremble.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYvGbV5zrT
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a2sLCrxQj
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxE3QpxslA
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja885T8Ls5
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP2QgD2SPu
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?32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Bvk5ETAyt
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufNAKtoizy
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNRiqFVXLB
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7DiBQ2HF7
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?”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoNEGPds8G
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcC96S9Au9
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G7iGOiCHm
“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”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCUr2zTeBx
The room seethes with agreement.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN6Xik4vSm
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BrRaEp4Yo
Nine.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolIhPZda5a
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS5eRy9w0R
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”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q4Zm5wRRl
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbct6DO6hTN
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWEMRWG4Zi
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscVbNx9pis
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”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNqUv6aFtk
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ALGmvYI90
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG1sLR4KfY
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvAlKn5lap
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC3lUTFFHk
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKseE4mG4IS
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukrgUZGRHx
“Wait!”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDJfhLIfjS
A girl steps from the crowd. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFU9vrXrkg
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. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeNR6WSFtX
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56o69sViHk
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkpWfkSTiZ
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9XZ7jfPZ1
The pack howls in agreement.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cgPOXcj4u
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfauQIfL3Z
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspj6xQpO9k
My stomach twists. 32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nz0puMGFf
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2UPYtuqtw
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkh7s0tVha
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?”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGM5lVqzZl
I stiffen.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOMIYWqMgY
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfushLciey
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsrQMHPxvz
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfXi2nyg3q
The first lash lands, angry.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzULtcYqyT
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnt8AO37tw
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf7xKQVWfj
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki6aTdDROP
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EILBYSrLi
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
ns18.222.183.102da2
