---- Chapter 17 No.17 Kaelen POV: "Is she dead?" | asked, my voice flat and devoid of emotion. The pain in my soul was so overwhelming that it eclipsed everything else. My Beta, Marcus, looked taken aback. 'No, Alpha. She didn't get far. The trackers say she's hiding in the Deadwood Marsh. She's alive.' Alive. A small, dark part of me was disappointed. | pushed myself to my feet, my body aching as if I'd been in a battle. "Tell the elders | will handle it personally." | remembered the first time | met Elara. She was just a small pup, hiding behind a tree, watching the older children train. She was supposed to be an Omega, fragile and submissive, but there was a fire in her eyes, a quiet strength that drew me to her. | had offered her a wild berry, and she had shyly accepted. From that moment, my wolf had known. 'Mine.' How could | have betrayed that instinct? How could | have been so blind? The elders insisted | lead the search party. It was a matter of pack honor. A banished rogue could not be allowed to linger near our borders. ---- We found Seraphina huddled in the muck of the swamp, her fine clothes ruined, her face streaked with mud and tears. The moment she saw me, she scrambled to her feet and threw herself at me, sobbing. "Kaelen! | knew you'd come for me! | knew you wouldn't abandon me!" | looked at her, at her pathetic, theatrical display of distress, and all | could see was Elara. Elara, who had never once cried in front of me, not even when they dragged her away to the dungeon. She had faced her fate with a quiet dignity that Seraphina could never comprehend. | pushed her away, my touch cold and clinical. "You think this is over?" | asked, my voice a low, dangerous whisper. "You think exile is your only punishment? | haven't even begun to make you pay for what you did." Her eyes widened in fear. "What... what are you talking about?" "I've been reviewing the dungeon logs, Seraphina," | said, stepping closer, enjoying the way she flinched. "The real logs. The ones your little minions tried to destroy. | found the order, written in your own hand, passed through a proxy. An order to the prisoners to disfigure my mate. An order that said, and | quote, 'Make sure the Alpha never wants to look at her again. If she dies in the process, all the better." The color drained from her face. She knew she was caught. ---- "|... | wasn't thinking clearly!" she stammered. "I was just so hurt, so afraid of losing you!" She fell to her knees, clutching at my legs. "Give me a chance to make it right! I'll apologize! I'll get on my knees and beg for Elara's forgiveness!" | looked down at her, my heart a frozen stone in my chest. "You will never be worthy of speaking her name again," | said coldly. "As for your crimes... you will answer for them. Your atonement is just beginning." | turned to the guards. "Take her to the high-security cells. She will await the judgment of the pack tribunal." 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.