Chapter 0026 Violet the I clung to consciousness , my head spinning as Theodore gripped my wrist where the mark of the unwanted was seared deep into my skin . An unfamiliar surge pulsed through me , heat of the bond between Lucas and me seeming to plunge into icy , numbing depths , snuffing the agonizing fire that had overtaken me . For a few moments , I felt nothing but terror . Was it gone ? Was I dying ? I felt my entire soul start to go still . Then , the icy cold turned into something else . It was … foreign , growing colder than anything Id felt , almost like drowning but somehow a relief . A wolfs howl echoed through my mind , reverberating with an uncanny familiarity . I realized that the wolf was me . The surge of resistance , of refusal and desperation stole what little breath I had . He was trying to bond me . I couldnt . I fought it . I pushed and pulled , thrashing under the weight even as it grew heavier and heavier . I heard him speaking to me , trying to calm me down , but I couldnt . Nothing in me felt like calming down was an answer . I screamed and pushed . The bit of strength I had multiplied with my desperation . Somewhere deep in my soul , I was digging my fingers into the pieces of the bond Id had with Lucas even as it slipped through my fingers . The pain ebbed and flowed to a dull ache , the agony dissolved and I felt the last of it slip away into a deep , dark cold . I slumped in Theodores arms , shivering uncontrollably . My body had nothing left to give , and the weakness was all consuming . My eyes burned with more tears that I would have never let myself shed otherwise . The hollow feeling receded and slowly , I felt something else taking its place . It didnt feel the same as it had when Lucas and I had bonded , not exactly , but it was unmistakable what was happening . Yet , I had no fight left in me . I felt him pull me closer , his warmth surrounding me , his chest steady and strong as he Chapter 0026 whispered , Its alright now . Ive got you . His voice vibrated through me , warm and soothing . I hated it . I sniffled . My breath catching in my chest as I gasped and the days since the party crashed over me . I felt adrift on this shifting emptiness in me , carried by a slowly rising warmth . My vision was hazy , but the sensations in my body were becoming more distinguishable , like I was coming back from the edge of death . Only the thin towel separated us , and even though my mind was a haze , the intensity of his closeness clawed through my fogged senses . The strength of his hand around my wrist was like a slowly growing weight , anchoring me in my body and pulling me back from wherever I had gone . Then , I saw his eyes . The were glowing with concern and something else . Terror … Emotions that werent mine . Panic spiked through me . The sting of betrayal hit me hard . I could feel his relief growing the longer he stared down at me . Hed bonded me . Yes it was to save my life . Yes , I had asked for help , but I had also asked him not to do this . I didnt want this . I tried to focus on the good things this would mean . The fact that I had more time to free Darkmoon from Lucas , the fact that I could get this bond formally broken when this was all over . I tried , yet all I could feel was hurt . I had been too weak to deal with this on my ownL I had to wonder if I had been born to a regular werewolf rather than a breeder , if things would be different . If I had been born a man would any of this be different ? Would I even be thinking any of this if Lucas hadnt done what hed done ? Had I really let him destroy so much of who I was ? Bastard … I croaked . His eyes widened , and he drew me closer . Just b Violet . Ill get you into bed soon . I tried to stay awake and focus on the warmth of his skin , on his voice , on the heartbeat steadying beneath my cheek . But the weight was too heavy , and as I sank into darkness , the last thought flitted through me , bitter and afraid : what had I done to deserve this ? Theodore Lying in bed , I tried to clear my mind , but all I could think about was Violet . I hadnt Chapter 0026 25 BONUS expected her to occupy my thoughts like this , creeping into my mind when Id resolved to keep her at a distance . 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. 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