Lysida•
60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOoktrrIOI
That’s the pack house?60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgkeFwAiKD
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAuMZo0H5W
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBoFdlBYgv
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyqBlfzi9C
When will this fucking dream end?60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT4TbNyVpL
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDq3KdU5APn
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZgSVcRK4k
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8td8edan5
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. 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURv5w9W9iO
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.”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2vFLx1wn7
The room erupts, and I tremble.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ045SgCPPoW
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTNwRAgNRo
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnfqB2slnp
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jByaJnKAM
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmX6N6JGVc1
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?60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPnEDRKkYY
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIe2oZTMeh
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOm2MruAJC
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEHLWDmGBr
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?”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtZbXlHm0J
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvIZpfQuxv
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUecwZQN1a0
“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”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhUsT29LPq
The room seethes with agreement.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBsxg7aKNB
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUj6VIGijO
Nine.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEMS06ZZIK
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNJFCNua1c
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”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCUmGQCRYU
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yrPBY7wRU
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5SuR8A93Y
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6syF27Qlzz
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”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb2k2Oy8nl
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSXUm7fbAL
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMsMuQ8k4c
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW5ZyPY3Mt
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEkJSHaa0b
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxtl0n4PpG
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnK1pw5iym
“Wait!”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZCorYzlJH
A girl steps from the crowd. 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ8mfp6pLj
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. 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbD4e24j7wd
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfwVboFNUX
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXd6MpOc7Y
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10SAR8ek3h
The pack howls in agreement.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXiUwKHx3c
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFnROGuM2H
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyrKQGlqjn
My stomach twists. 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGosYFBl6z
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxfMv1EYKx
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AMd4Zud4m
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?”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg6RKqEz6J
I stiffen.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW9DFqT5ac
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrsbvorHDT
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF2cm8bdQt
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUJ48snCzU
The first lash lands, angry.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSItsMAw5jj
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmLpXi27WZ
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN83dg1QWap
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqW8AfS1PO
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aLIuVRa2C
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
ns216.73.216.166da2
