---- Chapter 15 No.15 Kaelen POV: The sound of Seraphina's confession echoed in my ears, each word a fresh stab of guilt. Seven years. | had let Elara suffer for seven years because of this... this monster's jealousy. My father-in-law, his face a grim mask of fury, strode forward and struck Seraphina across the face. The crack of the blow silenced her pathetic excuses. "You are no daughter of mine," he growled, his voice trembling with rage. "You are hereby stripped of our family name. You are banished from this pack. You will leave with nothing but the clothes on your back." He turned to me, his eyes filled with a pain that mirrored my own. "We owe Elara a debt that can never be repaid. But what Seraphina owes her... she will pay for the rest of her life." Lyra stepped up next to him, her eyes burning with a cold fire. "You are a stain on our family, a blight on this pack. | will never forgive you for what you did to my sister. Never." She then turned and walked away, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Seraphina scrambled to her feet and ran to me, grabbing my arm. "Kaelen, please! Don't let them do this! | love you!" ---- | looked down at her, and all | felt was a cold, profound disgust. "Don't you ever touch me again," | said, my voice devoid of all emotion. Her face crumpled. "But what | did... it wasn't so bad! | just had her locked up for a few years! She didn't die!" The casual cruelty of her words, the complete lack of remorse, finally broke through my grief-stricken haze. My wolf surged forward, demanding vengeance. "You wanted her to die," | snarled, my voice dropping to a predatory growl. "You admitted it." | grabbed her wrist, my grip like iron. "You wanted to take my mate from me." "Kaelen, no!" she shrieked as | began to squeeze. The snap of bone was sickeningly loud in the sudden silence. She screamed, clutching her broken wrist. "Guards!" | roared. "Take this... rogue... to the border. She is exiled. If she is ever seen on Blackmoon territory again, you have my permission to kill her on sight." Nyx POV: The "carriage" ride was long, jostling me over rough terrain. | must have fallen asleep, because | woke with a start, my heart pounding. | was dreaming of them. My parents, Lyra, Kaelen. Their faces were twisted in anger and disappointment, ---- their voices echoing the same cruel words | had heard for years. It was a nightmare | had lived while awake, and now it haunted my sleep. + | pushed the dream away, forcing myself to focus on the present. The air outside had changed. It was colder, cleaner. | pulled back the curtain and gasped. We were traveling through a valley illuminated by a breathtaking celestial display. Ribbons of green, purple, and blue light danced across the night sky. The Aurora Borealis. It was the most beautiful thing | had ever seen. The "carriage" slowed to a stop at the entrance to a small, welcoming village nestled in the valley. A new home. A new life. | stepped out of the "carriage" and into the crisp, cold air, my face tilted up towards the dancing lights. The ghosts of the past seemed to fade in their ethereal glow. | was no longer Elara of the Blackmoon Pack. | was Nyx of the North. And for the first time, | smiled. A real, genuine smile that teached my eyes. | was finally free. 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.