---- Chapter 10 No.10 Kaelen POV: The silence where our bond should have been was a roaring abyss in my mind. | couldn't focus. | couldn't breathe. Every instinct | possessed was screaming that my mate was in danger, that she was gone. "Kaelen, we must begin," Seraphina urged, her voice laced with impatience as she tugged on my arm. "It doesn't have to be a grand affair," | said, my voice coming out colder than | intended. "This is a formality, nothing more." Her face fell, but | didn't care. My only thought was finding Elara. The Moon Goddess temple was empty, save for the priest and Elara's parents. The grand ceremony Seraphina had envisioned was not going to happen. | had no heart for celebration. "Why is no one here?" Seraphina demanded, her voice rising to a hysterical pitch. "Is this some kind of joke? Am | less important than a criminal? A broken Omega who spent seven years in a dungeon?" The insult, so casually thrown at the woman | loved, snapped ---- the last of my control. "Enough!" | roared, the Alpha power in my voice making the temple torches flicker. "This ceremony was for your benefit, to soothe your fragile nerves. My only wish now is to find my mate. The mate who, | might add, went to that dungeon in your place!" The truth, spoken aloud for the first time, hung in the air between us. Seraphina's face went white with rage. "She is nothing!" she shrieked. "| am the one who saved you! | am the one who took a silver arrow for you! | am the one you owe your life to!" In a flash of movement, she produced a small, ornate dagger from the folds of her dress-a silver dagger-and held it to her own throat. "She will ruin everything!" Elena screamed and lunged forward to grab the weapon. The blade nicked her hand, and she cried out in pain. Seraphina was completely unhinged now, sobbing and screaming curses at Elara, wishing her dead. The commotion brought the temple guards running. In the chaos, | wrenched the dagger from Seraphina's grasp. The silver blade sliced across my palm, the metal burning my skin with an unnatural fire, but | barely felt it. The pain was nothing compared to the terrifying void in my soul where Elara should be. The ceremony was abandoned. As we left the temple, | ignored the searing pain in my hand, focusing all my energy on the mind-link, sending desperate pleas into the emptiness. 'Elara, I'm sorry. This was a mistake. Please, just tell me where ---- you are. | was doing it for you, for us, to finally be free of this debt...' No response. Nothing. We ended up in the healing ward. Elena was fussing over Seraphina, who was now playing the part of the traumatized victim. "Be gentle with her," my mate's mother instructed the Healer. "Her spirit is so fragile, and her body is weak. She's never fully recovered from that terrible injury she sustained saving our Alpha." The Healer, an old, wise wolf named Theron, nodded patiently. He ran his hands over Seraphina's body, his brow furrowed in concentration as he scanned her life force. After a long moment, he looked up at Elena, his expression puzzled. "My Lady," he said slowly. "| mean no disrespect, but the girl is in perfect health. Her heart is strong, her spirit is sound. There are no signs of any lasting damage. In fact, | can find no trace of any significant old injuries at all." In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. As their romance blossoms, Hector grapples with concealing his true identity to capture Jane's heart. However, their love story takes a tumultuous turn when jealousy rears its ugly head, threatening to unravel the delicate balance they've built. This modern romance novel delves into themes of hidden identities, unexpected love, and the complexities of maintaining a relationship shrouded in secrecy. With its blend of sweet romance and suspenseful twists, "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" stands out for its exploration of hidden feelings and the consequences of revealing long-held secrets. For readers seeking a captivating tale that combines elements of romance, intrigue, and emotional depth, this ongoing story is available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in the world of Jane and Hector as their journey unfolds against the backdrop of hidden truths and heartfelt revelations.