Lyra could barely stand. The guards dragged her through the town, her body forced to move forward as she felt every stone and every cold, mocking gaze of the onlookers crowding around her. The humiliation was a burning fire in her chest, even more painful than the rough hands of the guards, who didn't hesitate to push her and hold her tightly when she stumbled.
Lucian walked a few steps ahead, not looking at her, with an imposing and cruel posture that seemed to enjoy the scene. His sharp voice broke the silence at some point along the way.
"This is the fate of the disobedient," he said loudly, without turning to her. "Those who do not know their place deserve nothing less than exemplary punishment."
Lyra trembled at his words. She knew he was ruthless, but until now she had not really understood the extent of his cruelty. "A simple omega," he had called her, as if her feelings and devotion to him meant nothing. The strength in her legs crumbled, but the guards pulled her up, forcing her to rise with a painful tug on her arms.
Upon arriving at the cell, Lucian gestured to the guards, instructing them to throw her onto the cold, dirty stone floor. Lyra fell to her knees, her breath caught in her throat as the cell door slammed shut behind her. Her eyes began to burn with impotence and rage, but before she could react, Lucian stood in front of the cell, watching her with a cruel smile.
"You know, Sofia?" he said with venom in his voice. "I should be offended by your words, but in reality, I find them amusing. Did you think you could reject me? Me?" He laughed, a laugh full of contempt.
Lyra tried to rise, but her legs faltered. Her lips trembled and rage burst from her heart like an overflowing river.
"You're nothing but a coward," she whispered, barely loud enough.
Lucian's smile vanished in an instant, transforming into an expression of ice and steel. With a gesture to his guards, he pointed to a whip resting on the cell wall. It was soaked in aconite, a poisonous plant for werewolves. Lyra held her breath; she knew the effects of aconite well, and she knew that each blow would be unbearable suffering.
"If you want to open that mouth to say stupid comments, Sofia, you better open it to scream too," Lucian murmured, with a perverse smile on his lips. "Because I assure you, you will."
Lyra tried to pull back, but the guards held her tightly, pressing her against the cell wall. They gave her no space to move or resist. She could barely breathe, fear coiling in her stomach as one of the guards raised the whip. Then, the first blow echoed in the small cell.
The pain was searing, as if liquid fire ran through her back. Lyra stifled a scream, her teeth clenched so tightly that she felt her jaw ache. But the second blow was not long in coming, and then the third. Soon, the skin on her back was torn, and blood stained her shirt, soaking the floor. The agony of each lash left her panting, and with each blow, she felt a part of her soul break and get lost in the darkness of that cell.
Lucian watched the scene without blinking, his dark eyes reflecting the malice of an alpha without mercy.
"An omega must know her place," he sentenced with disdain. "Perhaps this is a good reminder for you, Sofia."
When the torture was over, the guards withdrew, leaving Lyra writhing on the floor, unable to move without feeling excruciating pain. The cell was plunged into a thick silence, as Lyra closed her eyes and tried to calm her breathing. Each breath was a torment, each movement an agony.
The next morning, they gave her neither water nor food. Lyra barely remained conscious, the effects of the aconite still tearing through her system. She was weak and hungry, her strength disappearing little by little. The hours passed without anyone approaching the cell, and when she finally heard a noise, it was Lucian's voice giving instructions to the guards.
"Make sure to whip her daily. I don't want her to suffer less than she deserves," he ordered with cold indifference.
It was then that Lyra knew she couldn't resist much longer. She needed to escape or she would perish in that cell. Just as night fell, a shadow slipped towards her. It was Nessa, her friend from the pack, who had managed to slip past the guards to help her.
"Sofia..." Nessa whispered as she saw the wounds on her back and the severity of her condition. Tears flooded her eyes. "This is inhuman. I can't leave you here."
Nessa helped her up carefully, and each movement made Lyra stifle a cry of pain. Stealthily, they both managed to get out of the cell and cross the thick forest unnoticed, although every step she took was a torment for Lyra. There was barely any strength left in her body to stand, and the aconite fever was beginning to take hold of her.
"We must reach the Silver Claw pack," Nessa whispered as she helped her move forward. "They will help us."
Lyra was weakening, knowing that this was her only hope. As she moved away from the mansion, Lucian discovered the escape and, in a fit of rage, ordered the execution of the guards who had let his "omega" escape. However, Lyra no longer looked back. All that mattered to her was to get away from him and survive to prove that the strength that Lucian had despised still burned in her heart.
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