Chapter 7: Humiliation Under the Full Moon
563 Words
The night of the full moon arrived, bathing the pack lands in a blinding silver glow. It was the night of the Alpha’s Moon Feast, a celebration of strength and dominance.
The dining hall was loud, filled with the scent of roasted meat, heavy ale, and the oppressive aura of Alpha Damien. Lyra moved through the shadows of the room, collecting empty plates, her skin prickling with unease.
Nyx was restless, pacing back and forth in the back of her mind. The moon calls to us, Lyra. The seal is cracking. They will feel our wrath soon.
"Attention, everyone!"
Alpha Damien stood at the head table, raising his silver goblet. The room fell silent. "Tonight, we honor our strength. We honor our survival. And to ensure our pack remains pure and favored by the Goddess, we must rid ourselves of stagnation."
Clara stepped forward, a wicked, triumphant grin on her face. "Father, Alpha Damien, if I may. There is a cancer among us. A liar who insults the Moon Goddess with her very presence."
Clara pointed a manicured finger straight at Lyra.
"Lyra Nightbane claims to be a broken omega," Clara announced loudly, her voice echoing off the wooden beams. "But I believe she is practicing dark magic. She has shown unnatural strength, and she refuses to submit to her betters. I demand she be brought to the center of the hall to face judgment!"
Whispers broke out. Beta Marcus smiled cruelly. Alpha Damien waved his hand lazily. "Bring her forward."
Two heavy-set warriors grabbed Lyra by her arms, dragging her to the center of the floor. She didn't fight them. If she used her strength now, Alpha Damien would execute her on the spot.
"Kneel," Beta Marcus barked, stepping into the circle.
Lyra remained standing, her eyes locked onto the floor.
Marcus backhanded her. The crack resounded through the hall. Lyra’s head snapped to the side, blood pooling in her mouth.
Kill him! Kill them all! Nyx roared, a burst of silver energy surging through Lyra’s veins. The floorboards beneath Lyra's feet subtly cracked.
"I said, kneel," Marcus roared, using his Alpha-granted Beta aura to force her down. The pressure was immense, crushing her shoulders, demanding her compliance.
Lyra’s knees trembled. She spat the blood onto the floor. Slowly, deliberately, she forced herself to look up into Marcus’s eyes. She didn't kneel. She stood tall, her silver eyes burning with an ancient, terrifying defiance that made the hardened Beta instinctively take a step back.
"She is a witch!" Clara screamed, noticing her father's hesitation. "Look at her eyes! Force her down!"
"Enough," Alpha Damien commanded, his voice heavy with boredom and malice. "If she will not bow, she will be cleansed. Take her to the silver posts outside. Ten lashes with the silver-tipped whip. Let the moon watch her blood wash away her arrogance."
The pack cheered. The cruelty of bored wolves was a bottomless pit.
As they dragged Lyra out into the cold night air, she didn't utter a sound. She looked up at the massive, glowing moon.
Hold on, Nyx, she whispered internally, feeling the agonizing sting of the silver whip as it was brought out. Let them have their fun tonight. Because tomorrow, we begin to plan our escape.
- Writer
