---- Chapter 12 No.12 Lyra POV: The journal fell from my numb fingers. Seraphina. She was a monster, a venomous snake we had welcomed into our home and allowed to poison everything we held dear. My trust in her shattered into a million pieces, replaced by a cold, terrifying clarity. We had nurtured a viper, and it had bitten the one person we should have protected above all others. My first instinct was to run to Kaelen, to show him everything, to make him see the truth. But | hesitated. The mate bond was a volatile, powerful thing. The shock of this revelation, the confirmation that he had abandoned and condemned his innocent mate, might break him. He could lose control, and an out-of-control Alpha was a danger to the entire pack. | had to talk to our parents first. They needed to know the truth they had so willingly ignored. | found them in the healing ward, still fussing over Seraphina. | pulled them aside, my face grim. "We need to talk. Now." Meanwhile, in the Alpha's tower, Kaelen was losing his mind. The broken bond was a raw, gaping wound in his soul. The silence was driving him mad. He stood on his balcony, overlooking the entire pack territory, and for the first time in his life, he felt utterly powerless. ---- He drew in a deep breath and unleashed the full force of his authority. "FIND HER!" he roared, not with his voice, but with the raw power of the Alpha's Command, a wave of force that washed over every warrior in the pack, compelling them to obey. "Tear this territory apart if you have to! | want Elara found!" The next morning, | went to my parents' house, the journal and reports clutched in my hand. A servant met me at the door, her face frantic. "Captain Lyra! Thank the Goddess you're here! Lady Seraphina... she's gone mad! She's down at the Omega quarters, trying to burn it all down!" | didn't wait to hear more. | sprinted towards the hovels, my parents right behind me. We found Seraphina exactly as the servant described, flinging torches at the dry thatch of Elara's old shack, her face contorted with rage. "This place is cursed with her filth!" she screamed. "I'll burn it to the ground!" "Seraphina, stop!" my mother cried, rushing forward. But | was faster. | grabbed Seraphina's arm, twisting it behind her back. "It's over," | said, my voice dangerously low. "| know everything." | shoved the journal into my father's hands. "Read the last page. She knows the Old Tongue. She heard everything." My parents' faces went ashen as the realization hit them. ---- | turned back to a struggling Seraphina. "You lied," | hissed. "You never took that arrow, did you? It was Elara. It was always Elara." Seraphina's eyes widened in panic. Her reaction was all the confirmation | needed. "And the dungeon," | continued, my voice shaking with fury. "You didn't just let her take the blame. You arranged for her to be beaten. You tried to have my sister murdered!" "It's not true! She's lying!" Seraphina shrieked, looking desperately towards my mother for support. At that moment, my subordinate Finn arrived, dragging a terrified-looking prison guard and one of the prisoners from the memory crystal. "They are ready to confess, Captain," he said. As if summoned by the drama, a final figure appeared, his presence silencing everyone. It was Kaelen. His face was a thundercloud of controlled fury, his eyes burning with an intensity that made me flinch. "| believe," he said, his voice a low, deadly growl, "that | have a right to know the truth." 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.