Lysida•
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That’s the pack house?35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn57Xgd1tBz
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.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRmD9pj6qi
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.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjRB8MnHCR
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.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRmZYWBrqm
When will this fucking dream end?35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIbRkTxLCH
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.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4B7uVlnGm
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJfPLUS3gg
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.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2QHrxBvf4
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. 35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1M7BSv976
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.”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgV06CJuZT
The room erupts, and I tremble.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG947ywpSkw
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxcR5DpLwo
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.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlN8i0JfmpH
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugJAEv4kOP
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.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lFymwwEQf
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?35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeueCdaNmx
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.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v6Q2QA9Hq
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.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF2FliifFe
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.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxEnNOwyRt
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?”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAulk60g1F4
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonAHIQaOe3
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF71qvjuH00
“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”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt845QJbPTB
The room seethes with agreement.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG8tmcgIzX
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LlQgpGfoE
Nine.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfwOg9Vcvq
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUptpzEUFS
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”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgrBj7eHcR
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0Epg4PmlF
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGgUVBJDB6
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4RrYCVAjf
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”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP59yfIDrV2
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstWdTcrioL
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jvo3i2jhD
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9bYTazrws
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.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzURewNAqzq
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.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7mFJPw7re
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKA5bmNfeRm
“Wait!”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna5HVOXFZj
A girl steps from the crowd. 35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W5yDHoSaU
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. 35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtomcnS25t
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYaBPSnwdz
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RpqbqOJXK
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3hQmbm0g5
The pack howls in agreement.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQrIJ8qVVM
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEfaie515u
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklRh7q9i2G
My stomach twists. 35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKtYb9uwoF
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kFvkuxQX5
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEUTPtY3mZ
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?”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXHOjHXmAc
I stiffen.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk56Rk9Ss0W
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkRuNODZOi
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.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwMGqwxhYK
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoitqWFboG
The first lash lands, angry.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6dHjlFUbT
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcPYCZhVvh
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ACbRuzttp
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmUou0gE3F
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.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd8MqwJYxL
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
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