Chapter 17 The Blood Moon's Awakening: A Call Beyond The Veil

• The ritual ground stretched wide, a sacred space carved into the heart of the forest. Thousands of pack members filled it, their presence a living, breathing force that pulsed under the crimson glow of the Blood Moon. The towering trees that encircled the grounds swayed as if moved by an unseen power, their ancient roots thrumming with the energy of generations past.
• At the center stood the sacred fire, its flames licking the air, casting flickering shadows across the four towering stone pillars that surrounded it. Each pillar bore ancient carvings of wolves mid-transformation, their snarling faces and clawed hands reaching toward the heavens. The stones vibrated with magic, their runes pulsing in rhythm with the pounding hearts of those gathered.
• The alphas and lunas stood closest to the fire, their gazes locked on the ritualists. Behind them, the betas, elders, and warriors formed a perfect circle, each rank positioned according to their standing within the pack. The rest of the wolves—thousands of them—fell to their knees in unison, foreheads touching the ground, hands clasped together. Their bodies moved in a practiced rhythm, bowing in reverence, their chants rising and falling like waves.