The Hybrid Luna birthright

Chapter 9

Rashi's POV

"My lady, I apologize for the incompetence that unfolded today," Madam Lysca announced as we entered the chamber. "We never intended for such chaos. Please, temper justice with mercy."

The Luna looked up from her thighs, where she had been oiling her skin. "Get out, Lysca," she commanded.

Madam Lysca stepped forward anyway. "My lady, think about this. She's new here, barely knows the protocols. Showing leniency now could bind her loyalty forever. Punishing her too harshly may breed resentment in the ranks."

"You dare lecture me on loyalty?" the Luna retorted. "This girl spilled wine on the prince in front of the entire pack. Now my son humiliated me to defend her. And you come begging? Guards! Escort Lysca out!"

The guards surged in, seizing Madam Lysca by the arms. She resisted, digging her heels into the floor. "Wait! My lady, hear me out one more time..."

One guard yanked her backward, while the other shoved her shoulder. She stumbled but twisted free for a moment, lunging toward the Luna.

The Luna waved dismissively. "Good riddance to bad nonsense!"

Now alone, I stood before the Luna, my mind was a whirlwind of confusion. Why had Lysca fought so hard for me? Was it pity, or did she suspect my hybrid nature and see potential in it? Either way, her exit left me exposed, like a lamb in a wolf's den. But I couldn’t crumble, survival demanded I play this smart.

The Luna approached, leaning in close to sniff my scent. "Do you think you can disrespect me like that and walk away unscathed?"

"No, my lady," I replied, forcing steadiness into my words. Inside, I felt anger simmer. Disrespect? I had been clumsy, nothing more. But in this pack, accidents equaled insults. This was the price of not bowing low enough, a brutal reminder that slaves like me existed to absorb the elite's anger.

"So you imagine you've sprouted wings, huh? Enough to turn my own son against me? Make him strip in public for a worthless stray like you?"

I sank to my knees, bowing deeply. "Please, Luna, I never intended to divide the family. The prince acted on his own. Forgive my part in it." My thoughts raced, Brail's intervention had felt like salvation, but now it twisted into a weapon against me. How could protection breed such hatred?

She circled me slowly. "Words are cheap, girl. You need to learn what happens when you disrupt the order. Strip your clothes and lie flat on the bed."

I hesitated for a split second, but defiance would only worsen it. I shed my garments piece by piece, folding them neatly to buy time. Naked, I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Humiliation burned inside me. This wasn't random, it was calculated to strip my dignity, to teach me that challenging authority, even accidentally, invited total domination. My wolf growled faintly, urging me to snap back, but I silenced her.

The Luna opened her vanity drawer and withdrew a whip, dipping it into a jar of oil. She tested it with a snap in the air. "This will etch the lesson into your flesh."

The first strike landed across my back, and fire exploded through my nerves. I bit back a scream, but it tore out anyway. "Mother! Please!"

She laughed coldly. "Mother? Your mother is dead. This is for the wine." Another lash followed, harder. "This is for embarrassing me." She paced, delivering blow after blow. "And this is for seducing my son into betrayal."

Each strike reinforced the hierarchy's cruelty, spill a drink, face the whip. Defy indirectly, lose your autonomy. Pain radiated, but it fueled my resolve. When all this was over, when I sat on that throne as both Alpha and Luna of this pack, I'd make Saira suffer. She would pay for everything, the abuse and torture. She would curse the day she met me.

"Shut your mouth," she commanded, but my cries persisted, raw echoes of agony.

She continued the assault, varying the angles to cover more skin. "No one saves you here, Rashi. Not Lysca, not Brail. You're mine to break."

My mind flashed to the amulet hidden away. Could it pull me out of this hell? But no, I was trapped, learning the hard way.

A knock interrupted. "The Alpha requires your presence in his chambers, my lady."

The Luna dropped the whip with a clatter. "Get up."

I rose unsteadily, my welts throbbing with every movement. Tears flowed freely, but inside, my heart grew hardened.

She rummaged in her closet and produced a sheer lingerie set. "This is meant for the king."

I nodded, wiping my face.

"Put it on for me," she instructed.

I knelt to slip on the thong, keeping my actions mechanical despite the pain. As I adjusted it, she stepped forward, positioning herself directly over my face. "Eat it now."

Revulsion hit me, but I complied. My tongue explored her private area as she moaned softly. Deep down, I wanted to give her a taste of her own medicine, to bite her, to rip the flesh from her body, to make her scream in pain. But I knew my head would be fed to the wilds if I did.

As my tongue went deeper, she poured her secretions all over my face, gripping my head tightly.

"Done!" she mocked. "Now get lost. Behave, or this becomes your daily ritual."

"Thank you, my lady," I muttered, grabbing my clothes and bolting out.

Freedom hit like a rush, but I didn't stop. I dashed through the corridors, dodging curious servants. In my head, questions bombarded me: How long until I snapped? Could I turn this pain into power? The wolf urged action, but I still didn't have a plan.

I burst into the quarters, and immediately a few ladies came to hug me.

“Poor Rashi, so sorry dear,” one said, holding me in a tight embrace while another patted my back to make me feel warm.

Madam Lysca walked in, screaming for them to release me. "Let her be; the lesson is already learned. Make sure it doesn't repeat itself, Rashi."

"Yes, Madam," I stammered.

"And to you all, let this be a lesson. We all know how the Luna is. Don’t let her make you a scapegoat."

They all chorused, "Yes, Madam."

I turned around and sank into my bed. What did Madam Lysca mean by "they all knew the Luna"? Did she also abuse each servant? Had they all gotten into her pants? Those were questions I wanted answered, but my whole body crashed in pain.