Chapter 8 I was about to speak when the line cut off with a beep . My chest tightened , and I jumped up to head for the front desk . Sure enough , there was a delivery for me . The second I unwrapped the package , I froze . Inside were a pair of wool gloves - stitched with tiny , neat stitches , and emblazoned with a gold - embossed logo . I stared in shock . They were from that famous luxury line of high - end handmade wool goods ; the price of just one pair was enough to cover a regular family's monthly expenses . My nose tingled . I thought back to that winter in junior high - how I'd secretly knitted myself a pair of gloves , only for Selena to snatch them the next day and snicker as she cut them to shreds . Now , here they were again - like someone had quietly made up for all that regret for me . It was obvious this person knew every detail of my life . But why wouldn't they show up by my side ? Why did they watch me suffer all those wrongs in silence , only to be so kind to me now ? Just then , a bright , lively woman's voice called out from behind me , " Jossie ! " That was Chloe calling me . I turned around , quickly forcing a smile - she was our senior partner here , in her early forties , with a thriving career , exactly what I aspired to become . 11:28 The Alpha's Regret : Begging for His Outcast Mate Not to mention her naturally outgoing , radiant energy . Early Tuesday morning , she wore a leopard print suit with heels so dramatic they seemed designed to poke holes in the ceiling - clearly , she dressed this way purely for her own joy . Chloe was already several inches taller than me , around five - foot - eight or nine , and in heels she easily broke six feet . I had to look up at her , the height difference creating subtle pressure . But I had to admit , I envied her confident , composed aura . " Hey , how have you been ? " I tried to brighten my smile as much as possible . When she walked up to me and caught sight of the gloves in my hand , her eyes widened : " I've seen these in magazines ... Aren't these the limited - edition ones from Dents ? " I froze , instinctively tucking the gloves back into the box a little . " Really ? I've never been much good with recognizing brands . " We walked toward the office area together . Even though there was still a hint of curiosity in her expression , she didn't press the issue further - instead , she started chatting about her date from last night . I only needed to nod at appropriate moments - Chloe never needed much input from others , her infectious personality naturally sustained conversations . Only when we reached my office door did she suddenly slap her forehead and sigh . This detour was out of her way ; her office was two floors up . 11:28 The Alpha's Regret : Begging for His Outcast Mate Chapter 8 " Look at my memory . I actually came to remind you of something , but got distracted chatting ... all because you're such good company . " She winked , I smiled back , waiting for her to get to the point . " A big boss from headquarters is coming today , temporarily visiting from another branch office for inspection . Normally he wouldn't come to our floor , but I thought I should give you a heads up . " " Okay , thank you . " I responded quietly , instinctively lowering my head to avoid her gaze . I knew I was blushing and didn't want her to see that flash of awkwardness . " He's meeting with several senior partners right now - all boring procedures , you know . He's not a bad person and won't interfere with your work. But I know you get nervous around strangers , so if you run into him , I don't want you caught off guard . " Actually , I could communicate normally with regular people , but I always became agitated around werewolves . But she was reminding me out of care . Because not long ago , I'd completely broken down when a brown wolf revealed its true form in front of me - what my psychiatrist called a " panic attack . " That was the first time I'd faced another wolf since leaving the pack and losing my own wolf ... so I lost control . I no longer possessed wolf senses and couldn't detect danger . Other werewolves meant danger . Of course I was afraid . 11:29 The Alpha's Regret : Begging for His Outcast Mate Chapter 8 But how do you explain this to your human boss without sounding insane ? No choice . So I could only tell her I'd been diagnosed with anxiety - that's what my therapist said , though I disagreed . I wasn't depressed or anxious . I was a woman with only an empty shell remaining . Now I was just an ordinary woman , wanting to do as much good as possible before darkness completely consumed me . " I really appreciate you always looking out for me , " I finally said . She nodded and turned to leave . The entire morning flew by quickly . The mysterious boss never appeared , which suited me fine . Quiet and relaxed , perfect for handling backlogged paperwork . This was also what I disliked - it gave me too much time to overthink . But just as I stepped out of my office for lunch ... I knew the peaceful morning was over . The second I stepped into the cafeteria , my breath caught in my throat . A faint scent of cedarwood lingered in the air - like invisible threads winding around every nerve of mine . That instinctive pull , that resonance deep in my blood ... I'd thought I'd never feel it again in this life . It was a sign . A sign of my mate . 11:29 The Alpha's Regret Begging for His Outcast Mate Title: Cohabitating Lover by CrushReel In the romantic tale "Cohabitating Lover," Corinne, a runaway bride still donned in her wedding attire, and Andre find themselves mistakenly tangled in a leasing office mix-up. Despite initial reluctance, they become unexpected roommates after a series of arguments lead to an unconventional living arrangement. Exploring themes of love, transformation, and the magnetic pull of opposites, this modern romance unfolds against the backdrop of a luxurious mansion and a high-powered office setting. As Corinne and Andre navigate their differences and shared living space, their individual glow-ups and personal growth intertwine in a heartwarming display of vulnerability and resilience. This sweet romance novel stands out for its portrayal of characters grappling with unexpected circumstances while discovering the true meaning of companionship. With a blend of CEO dynamics, modern settings, and the allure of opposites attracting, "Cohabitating Lover" offers readers a refreshing take on love and self-discovery. Escape into this ongoing story available to read at CrushReel for a captivating journey through the complexities of relationships and personal evolution.