Lysida•
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That’s the pack house?20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwuJUga4Sf
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.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDghgK4wF7
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.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8spBN7FCHZ
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.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxnk74nYGB
When will this fucking dream end?20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1t27i3Iwq
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.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq1PVQ3Zok
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD5L5ADXSq
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.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigyiJuL2s3
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. 20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eKaQP1iUj
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.”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR7IOk2fpd
The room erupts, and I tremble.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti2MjcSelZ
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxBAIYKW4l
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.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FdKBLcezx
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcNlwILgK7
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.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvTvO09Uur
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?20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUThbdxvkQk
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.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdV1j6qgcJ
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.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGwUDSt4Ip
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.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGg5Tr9LCD
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?”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1ZDTCVQD3
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4iRhNd1pS
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd3s6FDmOK
“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”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9bbVQHAaJ
The room seethes with agreement.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3drDaHl3Yi
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5h1XEWMbOK
Nine.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1eDqn43Vc
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAT6ozGaOc
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”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHfxJOLHS0
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrUocuDsGF
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodJXCXIhgV
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmBegoYvev
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”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnyIXMc818
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2OJaV2NiH
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM5kjEHbT7
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sE5vJUB4X
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.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvla2xIOOur
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.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9E1cf6gE7
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1o6MwKQiW
“Wait!”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMMAKWhaso
A girl steps from the crowd. 20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtSKBtqxPB
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. 20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcI4kBZc3q
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUBmz4AUQl
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke3osB3Kh2
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBypTOwl5q
The pack howls in agreement.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRGMRyge2N
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3p4uZBL0u
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8sdCyByjU
My stomach twists. 20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGVKBOUXJ6
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhZHmldOSs
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxvgggkdgG
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?”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbQz2Tybeo
I stiffen.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkmeAdiKhl
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLDq2dD26Z
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.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXSwMZ6SaG
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUyhXTn4Nb
The first lash lands, angry.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6GCKPc1TC
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMQpCNufxk
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyx0rC4oJn
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPIRUatNcj
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.20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jpkYin2pU
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
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