Chapter 10 Startled , I pounded my chest , my maw red , my eyes bright . Trying to startle me in Emmen eyed my pout was sweet and lively . the Spirit Realm ? " I had once been a devoted Luna , unwavering in my faith . Every day , I prepared his meals - always waiting, always hoping tonight might be the night he finally came home . It W15 the first time he saw me lively . He could not see back then , it was dim , and I was there . As long as I did not provoke Phelia , he could tolerate my presence . I stared at him , continuing " Listen Ex - Alpha , if you're sick , go see a pack healer - don't waste my time . Or did you forget ? You comered me at Ophelia's wolfing feast , forced me to sever the bond with nothing but the fur on my back . Your blood had been dropped too . The bond is dead . All you need to do is putting the bone into Flame of Severance . " Go home ? Are you crazy ? I released you - gifted you to your precious mistress . Now do us both a favor and rot somewhere else . " As the words left mylips , memories surged - every fight , every bitter argument over Ophelia , every time I had been the one to crawl back , begging for reconciliation The image of my own humiliation - soft words , lowered eyes , hands trembling as I reached for him - flashed before me , Crack My palm struck my own cheek with enough force to snap my head to the side . Emmett's brow furrowed . " Why hit yourself ? " I smiled coldly . " To wake myself up . Never again will I love a wolf who treats me like garbage . " The words seemed to strike a nerve in Emmett . His gaze darkened abruptly . " Arabella , you " Bella , your five minutes are up. " Gerald's voice cut in from the doorway , his smirk lazy yet devilishly charming - the kind of handsome that made fangs itch to sink into him .. What a refreshing sight . After being so used to Emmett's aged , hardened presence , this young , vibrant male was like sunlight piercing through gloom . 1 immediately raised my arms in a playful demand . " Carry me " Gerald strode forward with a doting chuckle . Too heavy to carry . arry . I'll dr . drag you instead . " " Say that again and I curse you with hemorrhoids , I huffed , smaXXing his shoulder . I'll Gerald froze Damn . He was genuinely scared of that one . " You promised to rest properly . That wound in your paw pad is deep , and whatever venom was on that blade has numbed your tongue - you won't taste anything for days " " Then what's the King point of eating lobster if I can't even savor it ? " I groaned , finally understanding why my mouth felt like cotton and ashes " Up " Gerald turned , tapping his broad back in offering . " Unless you'd rather hobble on that infected claw . * A warmth surged through my chest , my vision blurring with unshed tears . In my past life , Gerald was killed by rogues hired by Ophelia . But this time .. this time , if I just stayed far away from that bastard Emmett , maybe - maybe it wouldn't happen again . Dossz < Chapter 10 I clung to Gerald's back , my voice thick . Take me home , Gerald . " He stiffened at the raw tremor in my words . How much pain had I buried alone ? Emmett's glare burned into us , his voice a snarl . " Arabella . You're leaving with him ? " 1 straightened on Gerald's back , my spirit flaring back to life - though my voice , still thick with lingering emotion , came out deceptively soft . " Ex - Alpha , since when do you care where I go ? We're severed - or did your rotting brain forget ? You wanted this . You got it . " And sure , your face used to be a work of art -but I've stared at it long enough to know it's just a pretty mask over garbage . " " Pfft = " Gerald couldn't hold back his laugh . This was the girl he'd raised - sharp - tongued , unbroken , and gloriously vicious . Emmett stared at me for a long , searing moment then turned and stormed away , fury radiating off him like heat from a wildfire . I exhaled , the tension leaving my body in a rush . " Let's go . " I rested my cheek against his back , soaking in his warmth . His shoulders were so broad , so steady . " Mn . Home " Gerald adjusted his grip and carried me downstairs . She was light too light . Had she always been this thin ? For years , she'd barely contacted us , too blinded by her obsession with Gu Yushen . The heartless little wolf … but at least now , she'd finally woken up . " A quiet sob shook my frame . " Gerald . I'm sorry . " Gerald's steps faltered . " Bella , " he rumbled , voice low . " Why apologize ? In "CEO, That Intern is Actually Your Wife" by CrushReel, delve into a captivating romance where a billionaire CEO becomes contractually linked to an unexpected partner. When faced with the urgent need to fund her grandmother's critical surgery, our protagonist finds herself in a unique situation—entering a one-year contract marriage with a stranger. As the story unfolds, themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of modern relationships come to light. The novel offers a fresh take on the familiar billionaire romance genre by exploring the dynamics of office relationships and the intricacies of contract lovers. Discover this modern tale of unexpected connections and heartfelt emotions, available to read at CrushReel.