Lysida•
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That’s the pack house?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MPR7Yubom
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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHz1HzoGhA
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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRqs0U5RRB
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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfW5wkoZsR
When will this fucking dream end?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzwY3WZxQq
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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiibQidXmWK
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUaWOn4qjO
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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfkkQMUwXE
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. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51SMnaD3JP
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.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAJtMCMwIu
The room erupts, and I tremble.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgEnraeUHm
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaQUNrMJuI
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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWsJsfdcXo
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi6ci1Jkfx
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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBA2DKygGo
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?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1SoNHArKT
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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzjpQLWeMp
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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh0VHIRDaI
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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1d1maIbLlM
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?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpaYbX3lyA
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zG27JJhBM
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKECjKr5VQ
“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”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOQ7BFpih5
The room seethes with agreement.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrPp8qG2Uv
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RoCFk3DZA
Nine.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zLQVMSpVH
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0sfjxW0bO
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”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcvu8LgqnE
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wOYITcsxg
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQkwufjJau
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N8AWGjNAT
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”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q4eTlMU6u
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbAZQ7zNS1
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPh0qSZV3b
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeUK0iCKvJ
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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRZ5L6z1Or
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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRvU0OPexX
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBOMBs386I
“Wait!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEcyMl7ZlX
A girl steps from the crowd. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnpZnNpKx8
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. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfawBvcd01
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwIk8VwkaH
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTVlwbgqMu
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPK1i4p0Do
The pack howls in agreement.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpy6ryjWlr
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04QGizDAAh
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbna6JBtL8
My stomach twists. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroFV4DAbKx
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafEGMnVUTk
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5fwD2qNgA
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?”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe44d48Zon7
I stiffen.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKO212ecDm
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypc6fVSWm2
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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4i1hoKY2b
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGAyndwFEF
The first lash lands, angry.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFzdJREM1F
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4NWRMIBH4
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXL3z4YNXm
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ9z2sElcV
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.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcOtFZXZQ8
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
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