---- Chapter 16 No.16 Nyx POV: The Northern Sanctuary was a patchwork of cultures and stories. It was founded by a coalition of werewolves who had been exiled, cast out, or had simply chosen to leave the rigid hierarchies of traditional pack life behind. Andi, their leader, explained that she had been a warrior in a southern pack, but had been exiled for questioning her Alpha's brutal tactics. She had journeyed north and found others like her, building this community from the ground up. "The old healer who contacted you is a friend of mine," Andi explained as she showed me to my new home. "She was a guard in your pack's dungeon for a time. She saw what was happening to you and never forgot it. When she heard you were released, she reached out to me." My new home was a small but sturdy wooden cabin on the edge of the village. From my front porch, | could see both the jagged peaks of a volcanic mountain range and the serene, icy blue of a massive glacier. It was a land of fire and ice, beautiful and wild. "Thank you," | said to Andi, my voice thick with an emotion | couldn't name. "For everything." "Everyone deserves a second chance, Nyx," she replied with a ---- warm smile. "Tonight, we'll have a welcome feast for you. The others are eager to meet you." A welcome feast. The words felt foreign. The only feasts | had known recently were ones | was not welcome at. "I'd like to contribute," | offered. "l know how to cook. | could make a traditional southern-style roast." Andis eyes lit up. "You can cook? Praise the Goddess! My cooking tastes like burnt leather. The pack will love you forever!" She paused, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Just one thing... | can't handle spicy food. At all." "| can make a mild version," | laughed. "If you're willing to take over the cooking duties, we can waive your share of the other chores," she offered immediately. "Deal?" "Deal," | said, feeling a lightness in my chest | hadn't experienced in years. That night, gathered around a large bonfire under the dancing aurora, | felt a sense of belonging | had never known in my own home pack. They didn't care about my limp, my past, or my supposed rank. They just shared their stories, their food, and their laughter. For the first time, | felt... safe. Kaelen POV: ---- Sleep offered no escape. Every time | closed my eyes, | saw her face, pale and thin in the dungeon's gloom. | saw her throwing herself in front of me, taking the arrow meant for my heart. The guilt was a physical entity, a wolf with silver claws tearing at my insides. The broken mate bond was a constant, agonizing ache in my soul, a void that could never be filled. | spent my nights pacing the Alpha tower, staring up at the moon, begging the Goddess for a sign, for a chance to atone. 'Give her back to me,' | prayed, a desperate, silent plea. 'Just give me one more chance to make it right.' One night, as | was lost in my torment, | felt a sudden, sharp jolt, as if the last lingering thread of our connection had been violently severed. The phantom ache in my soul intensified, becoming a searing, unbearable agony. | cried out, collapsing to my knees. It felt as if a part of me had just died At that moment, my Beta burst into the room, his mind-link message crashing into my consciousness. 'Alpha! It's Seraphina! She escaped her guards on the way to the border! She's gone!' The news barely registered. What did Seraphina matter? The only thing | knew, with a chilling certainty, was that Elara had just completed the final ritual. She had severed our bond. Forever. And the pain was going to be my eternal punishment. 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.