Lysida•
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYHFXQZpAX
That’s the pack house?17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv32F3GqsrS
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Jsp6VlVNP
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90rMkBC58c
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAqiqCiXbl
When will this fucking dream end?17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lelDOj3ou
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcWmBfPO46
It’s visibly directed at… Me. Hatred. Disgust.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S6uyDG3Zi
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTFeEQe50y
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. 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyNINh43Q1
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.”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUsaTi8tpG
The room erupts, and I tremble.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsolltwoFl
“Selfish girl!” “She let our warriors die!”
“She fainted on purpose!”
“A Lunar Wolf who can’t even hold the moon’s power!”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFe5pozdQC
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl6VrVUwVe
A woman’s voice, sharp as glass, slices through the chaos. “Silence.”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV2rgbNIkr
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1BTRcDz2e
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?17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3DXmv7MSv
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wiCtzvT2k
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZh7rzRcC0
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSu6Yepxxg
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?”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHbOC8uubc
My mouth goes dry. I grip the stone in my palm, hoping it’ll help calm my fear like it calmed the pain before.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N8w3zgXA6
When I don’t answer, her gaze darkens. She stands, her expression going back to default. 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPizoHD9t8
“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”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhegoBJCMYc
The room seethes with agreement.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2fEWi2v5s
The Luna lifts her chin. “I hate to do this, but you must be flogged—one strike for each life lost.”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTGQOjNNkI
Nine.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSj8JSGGUD
A chill runs down my spine. The crowd erupts in approval. They want this. They want me to suffer.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHKcrFdJ9V
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”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ4efJgSDb
The crowd laugh at him, and I feel my own breath hitch.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIroBceo51V
The Luna looks him up and down like a pest, her lips curling in annoyance. “You dare plead for her, little wolf?”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIv5Zh9pDm
“Please, Luna. Her body is too weak” DrKon pleads, his voice still shaky.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDCpbYzLZu
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”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK9BKcAHLO
This woman is the Devil’s apprentice.
Despite the fear grounding me, fury gathers inside as well.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BSwOhuuGC
DrKon’s jaw clenches. “I will”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujdqCDAhrd
The crowd roars in excitement, and my stomach drops. No. No, no, no!17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmKc2Jca6Q
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlVnctzxzO
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzXIZxCyAE
The moment the whip touches the air, a voice rings out.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYANUcVQEOg
“Wait!”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡato7N3st0p
A girl steps from the crowd. 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcIHVAqgIx
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. 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1d74JlfwR
I refuse to piece her as the daughter of that mad woman. No, she can’t be.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRDKkXd83V
“Cora” The Alpha speaks, his voice fond. “What is it?”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkAFuPqchM
The girl—Cora—smiles, but it’s not warm. It’s something sick. “I think we should make this more… entertaining”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NNsSOIIgo
The pack howls in agreement.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKypiRXNqUE
Cora turns to them, her eyes gleaming. “Shouldn’t the whips be dipped in the blood of our fallen warriors?”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrYKIeSK8s
The courtyard erupts. “Yes!” “Yes, Princess Cora!”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJG9nlQUUD
My stomach twists. 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb27fAW50IH
The Luna’s smile widens, proud. “Grant her request.”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILnHOaP7xX
A guard vanishes into the shadows, returning moments later with a bucket filled with dark, thick liquid. My stomach clenches at the scent—blood.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmpSAT83YQ
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?”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡothksixR0S
I stiffen.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbLz0C9425
The Luna laughs, a sound as cold as the wind. “Of course, my darling.”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyWZO0mUE0
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXPoCulRXS
I look at DrKon, panic clawing up my throat. He mouths ‘It’s gonna be okay’17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9VaYCdbQ7
The first lash lands, angry.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUMpugl9Yk
White-hot pain explodes across my back. My vision blacks out for a second. A strangled sound rips from my throat.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CI0lSYm1w
The crowd cheers, shamelessly.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMiGJDBHsj
Cora steps back, admiring her work. “Oh” she purrs. “This is fun.”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG4hd3nGZL
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn88syBroMN
Darkness rescues me from the torture.
ns3.128.202.38da2
