Lysida•
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That’s the pack house?34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD2eFTvp34
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEB1SDCd4U
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXudCCxb5I
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYxrVJYLhn
When will this fucking dream end?34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpItAW7oV2m
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCziqCKFc6W
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWArYy0Ph9
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv3bSY7XfB
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. 34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDcH2R1TdD
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.”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTMocE1XqF
The room erupts, and I tremble.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UWIA3tXdF
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMIrhY31Z7
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTOOKhVQbS
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQrjvPi2CD
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdidlwqirYm
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?34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVjXReXwhc
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcnLzvRyhc
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ150mPfX5D
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVZhOefFpJ
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?”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFkFw84r0q
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu43D3btXk
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdQkbszB4R
“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”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2bwcNWYBY
The room seethes with agreement.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme4EdmVAgx
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoyGRSzmk6
Nine.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZVtE1C1jv
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocp020MTF0
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”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmlZ4Abmr3
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKB6csBHzz
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMeui8Aqok
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcnAZTyZdv
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”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldx74LG7CU
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPFVDonwFz
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYapA3bw3lT
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwj2q8VPsE
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRil2wpHrZs
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzqE5ptAwC
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs237ED8pJx
“Wait!”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBrFh2MBGT
A girl steps from the crowd. 34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhadHveqHCP
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. 34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSIME5ZqS1
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wwK6Sl7op
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d8f5Ue18B
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygXfNqjQOv
The pack howls in agreement.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzWpYVLjRs
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtFNhxsW17
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb4ZzQVAxd
My stomach twists. 34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpS8nWZemA
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOnC7RddHx
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCe27oxd1ao
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?”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV6Wty3Cah
I stiffen.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuJ7R54mmz
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QIeh6raa2
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhemIAAEfyH
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuvwwNXxjv
The first lash lands, angry.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHs1Bwlssg
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqgUQ0JMEl
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg72X4CUFrl
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4BUsNot9c
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.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyfPyiy330
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
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