---- Chapter 19 No.19 Kaelen POV: Seraphina turned her desperate gaze to the man she had called father. "Please," she whimpered. "Don't do this." He looked down at her, his eyes filled not with anger, but with a deep, weary sorrow. "You took our love, our trust, and you twisted it into a weapon to harm our child," he said, his voice heavy with grief. "You played us for fools, and we let you. We are not your family anymore. This pack has no memory of you. Guards, remove all of her belongings from our home. Burn them." Her face contorted in a snarl. "You're not sad!" she shrieked, her sanity fraying. "You're just angry because you were stupid! You were all so blind! You deserved to be deceived!" Elena slapped her, hard. The sound echoed off the stone walls. "We will atone for our sins," she said, her voice shaking with rage. "And so will you." After they left, | was alone with the monster who had destroyed my life. "Tell me everything," | said, my voice dangerously soft. "Every detail of what you did to her, from the day of the false accusation to the day she was released. Don't leave anything out. If you are completely honest, | will ask the tribunal to make your exile... swift." ---- It took half an hour. She confessed everything, her voice a monotone drone as she recounted years of calculated cruelty. She had bribed guards, spread vicious rumors, intercepted my own attempts to send Elara better food and blankets. She had orchestrated every moment of Elara's suffering. | recorded it all on a memory crystal. By the time she was finished, my hands were clenched so tight my knuckles were white. The pain in my soul was a living fire, fed by the fuel of her confession. Leaving her in the cell, | walked out into the night, the weight of my failure pressing down on me like a physical burden. Nyx POV: Life in the Northern Sanctuary was peaceful. The days were filled with simple, meaningful work. | cooked for the community, and in my spare time, | discovered a talent for carving. | would take pieces of driftwood from the river and carve them into shapes of wolves, eagles, and the strange, beautiful flowers that grew in the volcanic hot springs. The old guard who had helped me, a kind man named Silas, would occasionally send messages through a trusted merchant. He told me that Kaelen and my family were still searching for me, that they had sent out patrols to every neighboring pack. | sent a single reply back. 'Tell them | am safe. Tell them...| am ---- happy. The next message from Silas was brief and warm. 'That is all they needed to hear, little wolf. Live your life. Be happy. You don't need to reply to this. It's better if they can't trace you.' | smiled, a genuine warmth spreading through my chest. | had found friends. | had found a home. And for the first time in my life, | truly felt like | was where | was supposed to be. 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.