Chapter 1 After I got pregnant , my Alpha mate started claiming that his wolf was taking over more and more - like some kind of split personality . At night , he'd still hold me like I was his whole world . But during the day ? His wolf only wanted her - his mistress , Skye . Marcus , the Lycan King , Xander's sworn enemy , had warned me more than once : " He's faking it . " But I refused to believe it - until the day I brought him a packed lunch and overheard a conversation that shattered everything . " Alpha , this whole ' wolf takes control ' act - you're really pulling it off . You get to fool around on the side while Natalie worships the ground you walk on . Aren't you worried she'll find out ? " Xander chuckled darkly . " It's just a game . And I've pulled it off perfectly . Ten years of bonding - I'm bored now . " " Once she gives birth , I'll ' recover . ' Easy fix . Just make sure you keep your mouth shut . " I stood frozen in the hallway , clutching my stomach like it could hold me together . Then I turned and called the Lycan King . " You once said ... you'd raise my child as your own . Do you still mean that ? If so ... Then I'll accept your proposal ... " " I'll come for you in three days , " he said . " Who was that ? " Before I could respond , the office door slammed open . " Natalie ? What are you doing here ? " " I've told you - Skye is the one I love . You throwing yourself at me won't change that . " I didn't miss the flicker of panic in his eyes . A few months ago , I might've mistaken it for progress , a sign that he was healing . But now , all I saw was a coward behind a mask . " I get it , " I said quietly , turning to leave with the lunchbox still in hand . " Wait ! " Xander grabbed my arm , face darkening . " What did you hear ? " Skye's perfume hit me like a wave , and my stomach turned - ironic , considering he once said he couldn't stand the stuff when he sealed our mate bond with me . I gave a bitter smile . " Your wolf loves Skye in the daylight . What do you think I heard ? " Out of the corner of y eye , I caught sight of the trash can . My heart dropped Condom wrappers . A whole pile of them . " It's normal to want the one you love , " Xander muttered , stepping in front of me to block my view . " Stop being dramatic . " But even at the peak of his desire for me , he was never this obsessed - never like that . My hand throbbed from the morning's kitchen burns . I'd spent hours preparing that lunch , and now it slipped from my fingers , crashing to the ground - food scattered like my pride . His brow twitched . Chapter 1 " I told you ; Skye doesn't eat bacon . " " If you can't handle that , maybe we should just break the mate bond . " Back then , to keep Xander from severing the bond back when he claimed his wolf was out of control , I'd agreed to every degrading term he laid out : -Cook for Skye daily because was " exhausted from training . " -Give up the Alpha's residence and move to the outer edge of the pack because her commute was " too tiring . " -Publicly claim were no longer mates so she could have her fragile little ego protected . MAYA I lifted my chin and blinked back the tears . " If she doesn't like it , she can starve . I'm done . " I was done with Xander too . Before I could make it to the door , a sharp cramp tore through me . My face went pale , and I stumbled . Then , without warning , the door burst open again . " You must be Natalie - Xander's ex - mate , right ? " The girl chirped sweetly as she barged in , bumping me straight to the floor . " Careful , honey . You'll twist your ankle and come crying again . " Xander caught her mid - fall , crouching down with that same tenderness he used to show me , completely ignoring the fact that I was still on the ground . Once upon a time , when I so much as nicked my finger , he'd turn red - eyed with worry . " Natalie , as long as I'm here , I'll never let you get hurt again . Your pain is a thousand times worse for me . " Now ? " Natalie , it's just a bump . No blood . Why are you being so dramatic lying there like that ? " His promises had turned to mockery . The ache in my belly sharpened . I tried to stand , once , twice , but my body gave out . Something was wrong . Deeply , terrifyingly wrong . " Oh , come on , " Skye rolled her eyes . " You're such a drama queen . And then she raised her heel - and stomped down hard on my stomach . I screamed . Skye smirked , triumphant . " See , Xander ? So much energy in that Clearly , she's fine - just looking for attention . " eyes . Xander froze . For a second , real fear flickered in his " You - how could you ? She's pregnant . That baby is innocent . " Skye pouted , tugging at his sleeve , " I just wanted to soak up a little good luck , that's all . I'm just an omega - how much damage could I really do ? " Xander sighed and touched her nose with a smile , " You little troublemaker . " Then he turned to me , eyes full of disgust . " Natalie , if the baby's fine , get up already . I've told you - I'm not him . I'm his wolf . Don't try using the child to manipulate me . " But he'd been the one to press his hand gently to my belly and whisper that he'd protect us both . He thought I couldn't see through the act . Chapter 1 I opened my mouth to speak , but pain ripped through me like a blade . Something warm was pooling beneath me , and I realized I was bleeding - badly . Panic took over . I crawled to him , clutching the hem of his pants . "It hurts ... Xander , please ... save our baby . " " She barely touched you , " he said , annoyed . " Stop faking- " Then he saw it . The blood . His face turned white . He scooped me into his arms , voice cracking . " Don't be afraid . It's me - it's Xander . I'm back . I've taken control again . I'm taking you to the hospital . Hold on . " Still acting . Even now . The pain swallowed me whole . And then everything went dark . يرانيات In "CEO, The Maid is Your Stunning Wife" by CrushReel, a gripping tale unfolds as an adopted daughter faces a life-altering decision. To save her grandmother, she enters a marriage of convenience with a wealthy but paralyzed elderly man. However, a twist of fate, coupled with her severe myopia, leads her to mistakenly identify the wrong groom on the wedding day. This modern romance novel delves into themes of sacrifice, family bonds, and unexpected love connections. As the protagonist navigates the complexities of her unconventional situation, readers are drawn into a web of secrets and revelations. The unique blend of billionaire intrigue and sweet romance sets this story apart in the genre landscape. "CEO, The Maid is Your Stunning Wife" offers a refreshing take on contract lovers and secret identities, crafting a narrative that captivates with each turn of the page. Dive into this ongoing series at CrushReel for an engaging read that promises to keep you hooked till the very end.