Lysida•
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That’s the pack house?105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRev7tdew9
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0PeedZhei
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqUDLQPaqH
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaCFu3bkNW
When will this fucking dream end?105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsddPE6v5Z
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJLzhNWPR1
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGjFPbpQ1V
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS6BPXbAtc
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. 105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLQvIFHntJ
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.”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcPUkEit5t
The room erupts, and I tremble.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxewQqPYi6
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf6mtaIxi9
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwrwoeqRcP
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFzwcouMRq
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZGzqNZUUt
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?105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTN2jiCvJr
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUH0WGTibv
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3aog8beOy
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTAM1IsKkb
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?”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2xRd0NCSg
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGFejSIO86
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbhgJ1XlMT
“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”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPls5O3kyA
The room seethes with agreement.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyXHmFyGKU
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wnt6Yd8sY
Nine.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXWUDLUt6X
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJrRUlOL1Q
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”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEaqBsMDoY
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoriysSzpq
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZEFCcKxpI
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGpbgUs0hR
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”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUs9wtYOZtP
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3gt2PM6dC
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3kyiLCFsz
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0Xe8eFwEm
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbOA3A22ge
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes5LH5CwUV
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQjQzCQCaJ
“Wait!”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tag981yZb
A girl steps from the crowd. 105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3PaXlXzIs
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. 105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUtmzCCuGs
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmcW8sw4VV
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e6UVW1VCD
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkmTdKvykZ
The pack howls in agreement.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG0xQj3yBn
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG65sWiB5TG
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBD6wGO1Mw
My stomach twists. 105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxzjjHeRsl
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK5oigaU6c
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvAOMrl8lR
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?”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtcIWhkUS2
I stiffen.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fPybsRt5d
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdhReRzBTp
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBi0DuaGBT
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGQhkeUJCD
The first lash lands, angry.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RT1INZlr9
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XirNgr7uM
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsorNNIvU6
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR81Vbzsmx
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLzNWxCrXE
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
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