69. Jalen

As we walked into the dark forest, the air was heavy with the scent of pine and earth. The lycan ritual tonight was one that the males of the pack looked forward to. Members of the pack, including the elders and members of the council, led the way to the clearing in the woods where the ritual was to be held.

The trees towered above us, their branches reaching toward the sky like outstretched fingers. I felt my senses heighten, every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs making me jump. The only light came from the moon, casting an eerie glow on the path in front of us. My heart was pounding in my chest, the excitement and adrenaline of the ritual coursing through my veins.

We made our way deeper into the forest, the sounds of our footsteps echoing in the still night air. Around us, the shadows shifted and swayed. We approached a clearing where we gathered around a large fire. The crackling flames cast dancing shadows on our faces, illuminating their wild eyes and sharp features. This wa