Lysida•
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That’s the pack house?59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrb4OchCIA
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOUTxIDI0S
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr1Ww87HZT
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRXyRKIjt7
When will this fucking dream end?59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc9EaeYE5z
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDciUm6X1Tl
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPVdAR3NkA
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvOTkBCAVX
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. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd95KWyMb2
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.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLNBgWpBas
The room erupts, and I tremble.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO1kQSishI
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHIxEAecC9
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffXQCmvvKZ
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn7ekffctW
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwAztrBUOp
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?59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtfJaybVuM
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy57JWvBJha
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XH8UGzqIv
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVtfC36nEt
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?”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeuuAdvszS
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9KT1UhpmR
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUuSbKOhhR
“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”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf7gnIdXkG
The room seethes with agreement.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEkDDdaZ08
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU0P0iHZCr
Nine.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDnzt2kUZc
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3X2USvFJ3
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”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmExSvXXXy
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGdQqwSPMA
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTa2XZpGL6
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauvkgMJ2aC
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”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJZOrWSRPX
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI08epFR8jB
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV1svuZbSb
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFc1PIPfKc
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ973YsJrUBU
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GOzbkQGOx
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdncymUDYc
“Wait!”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOMSzZrjEM
A girl steps from the crowd. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23bl5NU42a
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. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfdu04WDJW
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJiE6U4vzx
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnavOJKdZo
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxXgl5EqSf
The pack howls in agreement.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWPfhK7Ojs
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAH2kVsAzt
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEpRJivR3V
My stomach twists. 59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYArFt8U0d
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rbLES0gXx
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGx3OJR7nvt
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?”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aIOHhvct0
I stiffen.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUJoWSq1RO
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6qfs6OrYI
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RwHdnCRkK
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFHTRw5Uf7
The first lash lands, angry.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KuCCdsJGY
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gXfWtRI0R
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrywF1mhxXP
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGZP6nFPjq
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT6mgTnPqi
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
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