Chapter 26 Chapter 26 Valencias POV I stole a glance at Marcelene from the corner of my eye as she drove . Her hands gripped the wheel tightly , her jaw set in a stony expression . The tension in the car was suffocating , and I knew it wasnt just because of the long drive . It had been five days since Marios death . Marcelene had thrown herself back into work almost immediately . She didnt speak about it , but the faint redness around her eyes and the tightness in her posture told me everything I needed to know . She was grieving , holding herself together with iron will alone . And me ? I hated myself . I had spent the past few days wrapped in guilt , replaying every moment over and over again , wondering what I could have done differently . What good were my memories of the future if I couldnt save the people who mattered most ? Eyes on the road , I mumbled , more to break the silence than anything . Marcelene didnt respond . Outside , the early morning sunlight streaked through the trees lining the road to the academy . It was six in the morning . Inside the Wolfe mansion , things had already returned to normal . The brief mourning period was over , and the servants bustled about with their usual efficiency . It was like nothing had happened . It was like those soldiers , hundreds of wolves , hadnt died for absolutely no reason . No one spoke to me , and for once , I was grateful . The prior heavy layer of grief surrounding the house had kept them from tormenting me , and Id taken full advantage . Each morning , I left for the academy , early , avoiding the family as much as possible . I stayed at the library until closing time , burying myself in books and scribbled plans to prevent future tragedies . But the memories haunted me . Marios death hadnt just been a failure . It was a reminder that fate , no matter how much I tried to change it , had a way of bending reality to its will . I rubbed my palms together , my thoughts straying to the events of my previous life . A year from now , the war would have reached its peak . The wolves of both packs would be sent to battle , the fields drenched in blood . After Alpha Romans death , morale had crumbled , and Jaxon and I had been forced to assist on the battlefield . Id served as a nurse , patching up the injured as best I could . It wasnt much , but I had done what I could with the limited- knowledge Id gained . That was where Id first met Marcelene . She had been a stubborn , sharp tongued soldier , hef arm shattered in two places . Id treated her despite her protests , ignoring her biting remarks . Back then , wed barely tolerated each other . Id been too bitter about Jaxons neglect to appreciate her company , and shed been too angry arthe world to care . It wasnt until the ambush that everything changed . That night , Id woken her from her delirium and dragged her to safety , carrying her on my back to a dilapidated shed far from the battlefield . She had healed overnight , her wolfs natural resilience saving her . 1/3 Chapter 26 Months later , the roles were reversed . I had been gravely injured in an attack , an arrow piercing my side . Marcelene , grumbling the entire time , had carried me back to the soldiers tent . And right as we had entered , she had put me down and collapsed on the side . Thats when I had realized that she had shielded me from further attacks , taking three arrows and a fatal blow herself . Her final breath had been on my lap . I shuddered , the memory clawing at my chest . Marcelene couldnt die again . I wouldnt let her . The car jolted slightly as we hit a bump , and I snapped out of my thoughts , letting out a hiss , feeling a sharp pain in my abdomen . Marcelene glanced at me , her brow furrowed . You okay ? Yeah , I muttered, rubbing my belly . Just tired . She didnt press further , and I was thankful for that . As we neared the academy , I thought of Dante and his question . My heart tightened in my chest . The proposal . For days , I had agonized over it . My attraction to him was undeniable , but could I trust him ? Could I trust myself ? I had to take off my rose colored glasses and think with a clear head . Did I really want to risk my life once again for some small attraction that would probably soon pass ? If I agreed to this marriage on a whim and got trapped in enemy territory without a way out then . I nodded resolutely . I wouldnt risk I had learned my lesson with Jaxon . What if the same fate awaited me with Dante ? I clenched my fists . If I ever married , it wouldnt be to someone who could destroy me . A human , maybe , someone whose strength couldnt trap me . Someone I could escape from if things turned sour . The risks of marrying an Alpha wolf were too great , especially someone from an enemy pack . My thoughts were interrupted when I unconsciously rubbed my abdomen , the dull ache returning . Are you still having cramps ? Marcelene asked suddenly . I nodded . Theyre getting worse . I should probably get checked out for a tumor or something . I scoffed . Have your periods started ? she pressed , her tone wary . I shook my head . My periods are late , and my heat hasnt come either . Marcelene raised a skeptical brow . Are you sure youre not- Im not pregnant , I snapped , cutting her off . At least , I dont think I am . I dont have time to think about it right now . Marcelene sighed but didnt push further . What are you going to do about the marriage ? she asked after a moment . I stared out the window . Pray that Jaxon throws another tantrum and forces them to decline . I just need a little more time here . E BOXE Chapter 26 Marcelenes hands tightened on the steering wheel . You dont have to do that , you know . You dont have to stay for me . I shook my head . I hate it here . Marcelene . But youre here . And I cant let you die again . I need one more year . Once Im sure youll be okay , Ill leave . The air in the car grew heavy , her knuckles whitening as she gripped the wheel . You dont have to save me , she said softly . I didnt respond . I couldnt . The rest of the day passed in a blur . Classes , lectures , hours spent in the library trying to distract myself . By the time Marcelene drove me home , I was exhausted . The mansion was eerily silent when I entered . I stopped a passing butler . Whats going on ? The Steele Pack Alphas are having a meeting , he said , bowing slightly , I tensed . Already ? I thought they were supposed to meet tomorrow , He didnt answer , and I quickly made my way upstairs , my heart pounding- I needed to get to my room , to hide until the meeting was over . My nerves were already frayed from the day , and the last thing I needed was to run into anyone especially Dante . Turning a corner , I collided with something hard . I stumbled back , nearly falling . A familiar scent of smoke and forest filled my senses , and my heart stopped . Ishould have taken the kitchen elevator . I didnt need to look up to know who it was . Dante Steele . Title: Assigned A Billionaire Husband By The Nation In CrushReel's ongoing romance novel, "Assigned A Billionaire Husband By The Nation," a young woman finds herself without a home after a heart-wrenching breakup with her boyfriend of four years. Following state policy, she is unexpectedly matched with a billionaire spouse, forever altering the course of her life. Amidst themes of love, resilience, and newfound wealth, readers are drawn into a world where the ordinary meets the extraordinary. As the protagonist navigates her new reality alongside her billionaire partner, the complexities of their relationship unfold against the backdrop of opulent mansions and hidden secrets waiting to be revealed. 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