Chapter 4 Valencias POV My breath hitched as his gaze met mine , and he smiled . It was a dazzling smile , with sharp canines peeking through , and his deep blue eyes sparkled under the bright light of the bar You ran away he said , his voice low , smooth , with just a host of drunkenness . Not that I could judge El bren drinking right alongside this gorgeous , tanned stranger , and I could feel my thoughts getting fuzzier by the minute . I nodded , a crooked smirk pulling at my lips . Yeah , dont give a damn anymore . He can go off and marry my sister , for all 1 care 1 froze , suddenly realizing what Id just revealed to this stringer , But then he started chuckling , a deep , rumbling sound that made the tension melt from my shoulders . Hes that bad in bed ? he asked , quirking an eyebrow . Dont even ask , 1 snorted , the laughter bubbling up before I could stop it . Worst experience of my life . It felt surreal , almost liberating , to laugh like this . To be honest , unfiltered , with someone who didnt know me , didnt judge me . It was a freedom Id almost forgotten existed . Maybe it was the alcohol , but the atmosphere was intoxicating , heady , as though everything around me shimmered with possibility . The air was thick with the scent of hydrangeas and tobacco , and I closed my eyes , soaking in the sensation of being someone else someone free . When I opened them again , he was watching me with a curious expression , a slight smirk still on his lips . He called himself Steal , and somehow , even his name felt like an invitation to forget everything . Coming here had been a spur- of the moment decision , but now I knew it was the right one . Just for tonight , I wanted to live a life that didnt revolve around lies and betrayals . Just one night , ( A couple hours earlier ) I laughed . The sound was hollow , forced , as the cool red wine trickled down the front of my dress . It stained the fabric like blood , but I didnt care . Jaxons sister , Ana , stood before me , feigning concern as her eyes flickered to the darkening spot on my dress . Oh my god , Im so sorry , she said , though her tone lacked any real apology . Well , at least it wont show much on this dress . Her gaze swept over me , assessing , not apologetic at all . The cool wind whipped around us , brushing against my bare arms , and goosebumps rose on my skin . I forced a smile , a thin , polite one , but inside , everything was churning . My suspicions were confirmed . This is real Id really gone back in time . This wasnt some vivid dream . This was my past , my life , the same moment I had lived once before . I remembered every detail Anas smugness , the decorations , the scenery , the crowd , the way her hand accidentally knocked her glass of wine into me , and the way I had fled the scene in tears that first time around . But not this time . This time , I wouldnt give them the satisfaction Dont worry about it , I muttered , taking the napkin from her outstretched dread grew in my stomach , swirling like a storm , and my breath felt shalland , wiping the wine absently . The cold pit of Before I could think of how to escape , Jaxon appeared , stepping out of the pack house and making his way toward us . My heart lurched . He wasnt supposed to be here yet at least , not in my previous life . The last time , I had left before he could come out , too humiliated to stay for the proposal . But this time was still here . 1/3 Chapter 1 His eyes landed on me , and for the briefest moment , something Bickered across his face Shock ? Admiration ? It was hard to tell But then his lips curved into a smile , and his entire demeanor changed . His usual coldness was replaced with a warmth 1 hadnt seen in years . He strode over to me , his hand reaching for nine . You look stunning , Jaxon said , his voice low and affectionate . a , be more careful next time ? Ana frowned , her eyes flashing with annoyance . It was an accident she muttered , before spinning on her heel and storming oll I stood there , frozen , as Jaxons compliment washed over me . In another life , those words might have made my heart flutter , but now , all I could feel was the weight of his cruelty . The dread in my chest grew heavier , suffocating . His gaze softened as he looked at me , but I knew better than to believe in the facade . Everyones attention was on us . The pack members at the party watched , their eyes darting between me and Jazon , waiting . expecting . I realized with a cold , sinking feeling that I lead changed the future . In my past life , I hadnt been here for this . Jaxon hadnt had the chance to propose in front of the back because I had left . But now ? Now I was here , standing before him , and I could see in his eyes he was about to propose And I was on the verge of repeating the same mistake that had ruined my life . No , I cant let this happen . 1 I couldnt breathe . I felt trapped , like I was drowning , and every fiber of my being screamed for me to run , to escape . But I had to act carefully . If I rejected him outright , who knew what kind of wrath that would bring ? I had already seen the darkness in Jaxon . I knew what lie was capable of My hands trembled as Jaxon knelt before me , his eyes filled with what looked like love , but I saw it for what it was- manipulation , Control , Cruelty , disguised as affection I couldnt do this . Not again . Before he could say anything . I grabbed a tissue from the table and leaned heavily against it , feigning discomfort . Please excuse me , I said quickly , my voice trembling just enough to sound convincing . I think … I think my stomach is upset . I didnt give him a chance to respond . I turned on my heel and hurried away from the gathering , my heart pounding in my chest . The cold dread gnawed at me , but I didnt look back . If I had stayed , I knew exactly how this would have ended . He would have proposed . I would have said yes , thinking I had no other choice , and my life would have spiraled into the same nightmare Not this time . I reached the nearest bathroom , locking the door behind me , and slumped against the wall , gasping for air . My hands were shaking as I splashed water on my face , trying to calm my racing thoughts . What am I doing ? I caught my reflection in the mirror , my face pale , my eyes wide with panic . I have to get out of here , I thought , gripping the edges of the sink . There was no way I was letting history repeat itself . Just as I made up my mind to leave , the door swung open , and Jaxon stepped inside , his expression tight with concern or was it something darker ? Valencia , he said , his voice low . Are you okay ? I swallowed hard , my mind racing for an excuse . Yes … Im fine . 11:36 Tue , Jan 14 Chapter 1 His eyes narrowed , and the worry in his gaze shifted into something colder . Why did you leave ? he asked , his voice sharper now . I was about to- I know , I cut him off , trying to steady my voice . Its just … this all happening too fast . Im not ready , Jaxon His jaw clenched , and I could see the irritation flash across his face . What do you mean , youre not ready ? You didnt seem reluctant when I kissed you before . Kissed ? Right , we had shared a sudden kiss a week before our engagement in my previous life . He had probably taken that as my agreement to marriage . I felt slightly irritated now that I properly tliought about everything that had happened . Did I ever give verbal consent for anything ? I took a deep breath , choosing my words carefully . I just … I want to focus on my studies first . Im not ready to get married Your studies ? he scoffed , his tone dripping with disbelief . What does that matter ? Youre going to be my Luna . Im not in a hurry , I said quietly , meeting his gaze . Maybe if youre so desperate to get married , you should find someone else . Someone like Nicole or Anastasia . The moment the words left my mouth , I regretted them . Jaxon eyes darkened , and a dangerous glint appeared in his gaze . His body stiffened , and for a moment , I thought he might lash out Are you rejecting me ? he asked , his voice low and dangerous . I opened my mouth , but no words came out . I couldnt bring myself to say yes . I was too afraid of what he would do . But 1 couldnt say no , either , not after everything I had seen , after everything I had lived through . So I stayed silent , my heart pounding in my chest . Jaxons gaze hardened . Fine , I can way , he said coldly . But dont keep me waiting too long . He stormed out , leaving me standing there , trembling as the enormity of what Id just done hit me . I need to get out of here . SEND GIFT Chapter 5 Chapter5 ValenciasPOV Thechillofthenightbitatmyskinas Islippedoutthedoor,butdidntcare.Icouldntstaythereforanotherminute,notwithJaxonswondsechoinginmymind. Hisfakeconcern,hisentitlement.Ineededtogetout,tobreathtoescapethesuffocatingdreadthatclosedinonmelikethenightaroundme. Icalledacabandslidintothebackseat,clutchingmylag.NoirParadiso,Imuttered,mygazefixedontheworldpassingby.Thedriverseyebrowshotup,buthedidntsayaword,IknewwhatIlookedlikewinestaineddress,messedupmakeup,onmywaytothemostexpensiveharintown.Icouldpracticallyfeelhisjudgment.Lethimjudge,Ithought.Iftonightwasmynewbeginning,thenImightaswellmakethestartonetoremember. The cabfinallystopped,andItossedabillatthedriver,steppingoutintothedim,ambientlightofthebarsentrance.Theheavybeatofmusic pulsedthroughthewalls,andasIentered,thelowlightingandwarmwoodtoneswrappedaroundmelikeacloak. ImadeabeelineforthebarandorderedthestrongestdrinkIcouldthinkof,mypulsecalmingasIliftedtheglasstomylips.Foronce,theburninmythroatwaswelcomeitwasreal,fangible,somethingIcouldgrasp.IhadntevensetmyglassdownbeforeIfelta presencesettlebesideme. Iglancedup,mybreathcatching asIsawhim. Hewastall,withbroadshouldersandacasualposture,likehebelongedtoeveryplace hesteppedinto.Hisskin wastan,hisdark,slightlywavyhaircurlingatthenapeofhisneck.Aquietstrengthexudedfromhim,aconfidencethatmadeithardtolookaway.Heslidontothestoolnextto mine,glancingatmewithmildcuriositybeforelookingaway,uninterested. Itiltedmyheadtowardthebartender.KeepthemcomingIsaid,myvoicemorelouderthanIdintended. Themanbesidemechuckledunderhisbreath,thesoundlowandrich.Maybecaseoffthatidea.Oryoullbeunderthetablebytheendofthehour. Iturned,raisinganeyebrow.What,youdontthinkIcanhandleit? Hesmirked,hisgazecool ,detached.Notthepoint.Justsayingtherearewaystoforgetthingsthatdontendinablackout. Irolledmyeyes,asmirkplayingonmylips.Nah,Imtiredofmakingsensibledecisions. Ah,arebeltonight .Hisvoicewaslacedwith sarcasm,histoneablendofhumorandindifference.Well,herestorecklesschoices,Iguess. Heraisedhisglassslightly,givingmeanamusedlookasIshookmyhead,feelingmyownlipstugintoa smile. Wesatinsilenceforamoment,buthedidntleave,anddidntseemto wanttoeither.SoIkepttalking,notknowingwhy.Wesaidourbasicintroductionandthetopicveeredoff… 1 Yourdress…hesaidsuddenly,hisgazedroppingtothedarkstain Iscoffed.Someonepouredwineonme .Letscallita…friendlyreminderofwhyIneededanightout. Ahintofasmirk flashedacrosshisface.Roughday? Roughlife,morelikeit,Ireplied,thewordstumblingoutunfiltered.Whataboutyou?Heretodrownyoursorrowstoo ? Heglancedathisglass,ahintofalaughinhisvoice.Alcoholdoesntworkthateasilyonme.Alreadyonmyfifthbottle today. Igavehima skepticallook,notbotheringtohidemydisbelief.ivebottles,huh? Swearonit.hesaid,histonedeadpan. MyemployerthrewmeoutbecauseIwasntbringinginclientstonight Itiltedmyhead ,narrowing mygazeathim Whatexactlydoy…doforaliving? Heleanedback,hiseyessweepingovermewithanassessinglookbeforehereplied,Iservice…otherpeople. Hiswordshungintheair,deliberateandvague.MycheeksheatedslightlyasItook inhishandsomefaceandtherelaxedconfidencethatrolledoffhiminwaves. Sothatswhathedid.Well… Igetit,Isaid,tiltingmyglasstowardhim,Notabadnightforatlineofwork. Dontknowaboutthat,hemurmured,hisvoicecarryinganedgeofhumorashesippedhisdrink,glancingoverthecrowl.Thenhelookedbackatme , hisgazeashademoreserious.So,hydyoureallycomehere? Iblinked,caughtoffguardbythesuddendirectnessofhisquestion.Icouldhavebrusheditoff,madeupanexcuse,but somethingabouthintinvitedhonesty.AguyIliked,Iadmitted,shrugging.He…wasgoing topropose Hiseyebrowsshotup.Andthatsabadthing? Iscoffed,shakingmyhead.IsaidIusedto likehim,notthatIstilldo.Andbesides,Ifoundouthesacheater. paused,swallowingdownthesuddenwaveofemotionrisinginmythroat.Orhewillbe.But honestly,whocaresabouttiminganymore? Thestranger,Steal,ashehadintroducedhimself,letoutalowwhistle.Soyourejustgoingtoghosthimthen? Hesnotmyboyfriend,ormyfiancéJustanAlphaIthoughtIwanted..butnow?Letsjustsayhehasagodcomplexthatsalittlehardtooverlook. Mustbehard,hesaidwithmocksympathy,rejectingaperfectAlpha. NotifhesthewrongAlpha,Ireplied,thebitternesssharperthanIdintended. So,yourejectedhim?heasked,raisinganeyebrow. Nope , Isaid,settingmyglassdownwithathud .Iranaway. Youranaway ?hesaid,hisvoicelow, smooth,withjustatinyhintofdrunkenness,andIcouldfeelmythoughtsgettingfuzzierbytheminuteaswell. Inodded,acrookedsmirkpullingatmylips.Yeah,dontgiveadamnanymore.Hecangooffandmarrymysister,forall Icare.Hesawful inbedanyways.Ifroze,suddenlyrealizingwhatIdjustrevealedtothis stranger. Butthenhestartedchuckling,aloud,deep,rumblingsoundthatmadethetensionmeltfrommyshoulders, Thatbad,huh?he asked,quirkinganeyebrow. Dontevenask,Isnorted,thelaughterbubblingupbeforeIcouldstopit.Worstexperienceofmylife. Thensuddenly,myhandslipped,andmydrinkspilledoverhispristinewhiteshirt.Igasped,flustered,reachingoutinafranticattempttodab atthestain.Ohgod,Imsosorry!Ididntmeanto- Hestood,steadyasarockasItriedto wipethefabric.Butinmy flustered,awkwardstate,Isomehowmanagedtostumble,myfootcatchingontheedgeofthestool.Before Iknewit,Iwasfallinguntil hisarmsclosedaroundme,strongand unyielding,holdingmeup. ThatswhenIrealizedweweresituatedinthecornerofthebarbleandawallwasrightbesideus. Mybackhitthewall,andIfoundmyselfpinnedbetweenitandthehard planesofhisbody. Thedimlightsurroundinguscreatingaheadyatmosphere.Hientwashedoverme,that intoxicatingmixofsmokeandsomethingwoodsy.Itcloudedmysenses,pallingmein,groundingmeinaweirdwayandmakingmeshudder. Withoutthinking.Ireachedup,myfingers curlinginto hisshirwantinghimcloser.Ididntevenhavetimetocatchmybreath beforehislipsfoundmine,stealingawaywhatlittleresolveIhadleft. Thekisswasrough,hungry,asthoughhewasasdesperatetoforgetsomethingasIwas.Ilostmyselfinit,theworldspinninguntiltherewasonlyhim,onlytheburningheatbetweenus. Hepulledbackslightly,hisbreathwarmagainstmylips,hisvoicelowandthickwithpromise.MaybeIcanwashawayallthosebadexperiencesforyou.Makeyouforgetthisguy… Thewordscameoutlikeanoffer,andIcouldsensethedoublemeaning,thehintthatheddonethisbefore,andforothersSomehow,thatmadeiteasiertosayyes. Forgethim?Imurmured,myvoicebreathy,mythoughtsspinginginahazeofwhiskeyandanticipation.Icandothat.Hissmirkwidenedashepulledmetowardtheexit,hisarmasteadyanchor. Webarelyreachedthesuitebeforehishandswereonmeagain,his touchrough yetmeasured. Inseconds,mydressandunderwearwasonthefloor,hislipstrailingheatacrossmyskinasheleanedoverme,hisfingers.slippinglower. HepushedmeontothebedandIfellback.ButbeforeIcoulddoanythinghewasclimbingontopand pinningmedown. Igaspedashepressedakisstomythroat,hisfingersreachingmywetclitandteasingwithslowprecision,eachmovementbuildingatensionwithinmethatbordefedonexquisitepleasure Mybodyrespondedinstinctively,an almostunfamiliarbutintoxicatingsensationpoolingdeepwithin.Hishandslidbetweenmythighs,hisfingerscasinginsideme,anda sharpachemademeinhalesharply. Myfingerscurledintohishair,andheletoutasoft,almostpossessivegrowlasheworkedwithasteadyrhythm, his gazefixedonmine,bothtenderandhungry. Ibarelymanagedto breathe,lostintheintensityofhistouch,mypulseracingashetiltedhisfingersjustso,sendingasurgeofpleasurethat mademybackarchagainst him. Heatpooledinsideme,foreignand exhilarating,bisthumbbrushingmymostsensitivespotwithapressurethatmademytoescurl. Everythingwasdizzying,intoxicating,andrightbeforeIfeltmyorgasmhit,hesuddenlyfroze. Stealsfingersstilled,hisgazedarkening,andhelookeddownathisfingersinsideme,indawningrealization. Hisblueeyesflickered,asharp,moltengoldsearingthroughhisgazeashishandwithdrewgently,hisbreathcominginrougherthanbefore.Mybodystilltrembled,unable tostoporpullaway, Youreafuckingvirgin?hegrowled,hisvoicetingedwithanger,frustration,andsomethingelsesomethingthatsentanewkindofthrilldownmyspine. In CrushReel's ongoing romance novel, "All the Wrong Reasons," the protagonist, Andrea, faces a pivotal choice: either write a sex column or risk losing her job due to her lack of experience in that area. Determined to succeed, Andrea embarks on a journey to explore this unfamiliar territory. Along the way, she encounters Just, setting the stage for unexpected twists and emotional revelations in their blossoming relationship within the realms of a modern setting. This unique tale delves into themes of personal growth, unexpected challenges, and the complexities of navigating relationships in a high-stakes environment. The character dynamics between Andrea and Just offer readers a refreshing take on romance, blending elements of innocence and passion against the backdrop of a CEO's mansion and office setting. As CrushReel weaves this captivating narrative, readers are drawn into a world where love, ambition, and self-discovery intersect in compelling ways. "All the Wrong Reasons" stands out for its nuanced portrayal of characters grappling with real-world dilemmas while exploring the depths of human connection. With each episode unveiling new layers of intrigue and emotion, this story promises a captivating reading experience for fans of sweet romance and billionaire CEO narratives. Available to read online at CrushReel, immerse yourself in this engaging tale that transcends clichés to deliver a truly immersive storytelling experience.