90. Jalen

As the King-in-waiting of the Lycan pack, my days were filled with a wide range of duties. From managing the pack's resources and overseeing the training of recruits to mediating disputes between members and representing the pack in meetings with other supernatural communities, there was never a dull moment.

Fortunately, my Beta, Cade, made things much easier for me. He was always there to offer support and guidance, and he had started his rituals to officially become my Beta.

Despite these distractions, the weight of my responsibilities was often overwhelming. The recent death of my dad, who had served as the pack's alpha for many years, had hit me hard. To make matters worse, my mate, Clarissa, had rejected me. She didn't believe my claims of innocence when it came to the rumors of my infidelity, and this rejection cut me deeply. On top of all this, there was the added stress of a stranger carrying my child.

Most nights, I found myself drowning my sorrows in alcohol. I would visit