Lysida•
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That’s the pack house?21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwXydNOzag
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0718VUDEmV
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDQdwK8jSp
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gDbzG2PQW
When will this fucking dream end?21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwhk08YGQW
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBmjBVbbCB
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcvB2HUx0U
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP76wJAoODz
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. 21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ALEg8FMyh
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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnsUTZZZ2i
The room erupts, and I tremble.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy7Dd1FZCn
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnOxLOYh2r
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlktOVBfdug
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0treqeEod
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCLKeJCRe9
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?21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiTIzAXkTa
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMKdVOuSig
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFgOxuMKCE
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlD75viauW
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?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVTbTL5iip
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGxCZHGt9h
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WTE0L1KQf
“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”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjtwECNsiU
The room seethes with agreement.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea78eK2unf
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF9QiNVrzV
Nine.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd76ag87ZqP
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPD9mqB72c
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”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixY75FnTZJ
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ724yOHmesh
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiS7lfPM5W
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofkhlcbza9
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”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhouxtqKQG5
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWOCPUUddP
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ulCOwx5Gs
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBpSs4n8S0
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3y0VZbdnr
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLocH6G8Pa5
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9I52TkJuq
“Wait!”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSpwTH3PR8
A girl steps from the crowd. 21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV4WbUH2w6
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. 21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8gtYe8g7R
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3xEo1gtL2
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1doIxUDB1
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7amrdpxmzE
The pack howls in agreement.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUHYSskiWl
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQv7T7BBIs
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPLJztZ3Zx
My stomach twists. 21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyU7FOT0vx
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe60TZVEqE7
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YB3jN3eNp
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?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44Afn68d6V
I stiffen.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuBqCarYSS
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1SX3eJzhq
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAQslzWyLc
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMq3z41dgd
The first lash lands, angry.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUorR6Uix59
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3PJGhDvLd
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPUQqEQs0a
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuuX1nsVAA
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRp0Vr18iD
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
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