Lysida•
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That’s the pack house?71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaD43uhxTI
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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAaEQHCDbJ
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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3HiRAWGv0
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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BCmR9bMRz
When will this fucking dream end?71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwND5PJpE2
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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngYUCFo1NG
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzNfXesP9x
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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDo2W1nXhO
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. 71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBakXoauvFK
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.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWeLdPNygN
The room erupts, and I tremble.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtRQC0LGIg
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMHpaQgYMB
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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVJEMcXvg9
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWmyjRpVaR
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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplwFFyAXiu
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?71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAHaXbg1Tn
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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQwM9UNxWV
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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAMvT6mqew
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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a4lPz77PG
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?”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9ATtHeYUz
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N5bB136C1
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA93wHymc2j
“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”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78kPZ2aXyu
The room seethes with agreement.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWhL8Khasg
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBZ1IxrNmQ
Nine.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CLpcrsKH1
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPCco15mXi
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”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnHHhB8kF4
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfFbdxUZNR
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JSEg8p9Lc
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVAJ96uux0
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”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutsu7Lsz8Q
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUTmruKLVB
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcGb5TQLR1
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLyyaYtmhH
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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiT4H4DnyJ
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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qq3197ape
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX14CvvdIDT
“Wait!”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsozuz7scR4
A girl steps from the crowd. 71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphWyNild7K
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. 71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JEyolOM5k
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOqHaYtDtB
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZIFjsDf5s
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiX6WATD4A
The pack howls in agreement.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL8SwXxpD1
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufh5rFZ4il
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZVZBYFQUP
My stomach twists. 71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8E7mx6twQ
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXxWjNbx8q
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ7Q5doKpv
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?”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYmjjgbVHa
I stiffen.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl2s9xCkcy
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewb78YPoqA
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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02tKNQN3hF
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6OBhsTW7j
The first lash lands, angry.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaxG7ewWDF
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDYd9X1xSa
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0RTiK5EUs
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkDQizz16z
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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnc9QifOp3
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
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