Chapter 4 Cameron POV "It's not your fault," my mother comforted her. Rome is snarling, blaming Odette for Chloe's accident, even though we don't have proof it was her. Chloe's last words to me are still ringing in my head. "I hate you. I fucking hate you." sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Findnøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She didn't ask for help. She didn't say she was pushed. Even if Rome thinks Odette did this, I can't help but to think that Chloe may have done this to herself. She has never liked me. I saw it on her face the moment she realized we were mates. She never wanted me. Maybe she did this as a way to get back at me for taking her anyway and not releasing her from the mate bond like I know she wishes I had done. "Mate wouldn't do that. She was a fighter. She wouldn't have taken a coward's way out, no matter how much you deserve this," Rome snapped at me. "I wasn't a jerk. I left her alone as she wanted." "You neglected her, you brainless dreg. She may have warmed up to you if you gave her a reason. Instead, the only words she heard from you were the ones you said while flirting with other she-wolves. You gave her no reason not to hate you. You have only yourself to blame." My wolf's words struck a nerve, and my gut twisted as I stared at my unconscious mate in the pack's hospital bed. Her head is wrapped in a bandage after they drilled and released the pressure from the fluid built up inside her skull. Her face is all bruised, but she still looks naturally beautiful, even in her broken state. I knew she didn't want me, but that never stopped me from wanting her. She was the most beautiful woman in this pack. I don't know how I didn't notice her before the mate bond hit me. Probably because she was underage, and I made it a point to stay away from the underage ones. I found Chloe on the training field on her eighteenth birthday. I still remember that day clearly, because after I was overcome with her raw beauty, the fullness of her dark-toned lips, the thickness of her eyelashes fanning over big, dark-brown eyes, and the way her training uniform was exposing all her thick curves and accentuated her waist, I was struck with the horrified expression when her gaze met mine. I could tell right away that this goddess I had never noticed before in my own pack didn't want me. Me. The damn future Alpha of Fire Moon. That was a huge blow to my pride. No one had ever looked at me the way she did. When we finally spoke, and her words were as harsh as her expressions, my pride took another blow because no one had ever talked to me as harshly as she did. I have had women fawn over me my entire life. To find my mate at twenty-three and it was a warrior she-wolf that looked at me like I was less than trash hurt my ego more than I would ever admit. I watched her after that. It took me months to claim her, because I was hoping there was another reason for her reluctance towards me. I thought she might just be shy, but I saw her opening up with the other warrior women, and even the men she trained with, being cheerful and carefree with them. My jealousy got the better of me, seeing her friendly with other males when she wouldn't even smile at me, so I had my mom move her to the packhouse early to train to be luna. I thought that maybe she might warm up to me if she became more accustomed to her role, but she turned more cold and resentful. Her smile never appeared after that. I couldn't reject her. Not only would Rome not let me, but the thought of her beautiful face and body being touched by someone else other than me would often send me into a rage. I got it in my mind that she had likely already been touched by another, so when our mating day actually came, I was a lot more rough with her than I should have been. I never expected her to be a virgin. I never would have taken her as brutally as I did had I known. Those disgusted expressions angered and scared me at the same time. When I couldn't stay away from her any more, and I would finally come to find her in our bed every night, I closed my eyes and tried to remember the smiles she gave so freely to everyone else. When the realization came that she had never given one of those smiles to me, I would throw myself into a rage and brutalize her body almost every night. She was my mate, my Luna, but knowing she didn't want me brutalized my ego and my pride. I told myself that it was my right to take what I needed from her, and to demand the heir she was meant to give me in return. Title: Addicted to You Author: CrushReel Genre: Romance, Billionaire, CEO, Modern, Romantic, Hidden Feelings, Mansion, Office, Meet Again Status: ongoing In "Addicted to You," a captivating romance unfolds between Audrey and Floyd. Despite Floyd's arranged marriage and family struggles, he continually comes to Audrey's rescue after their one-night stand that has left her secretly pining for him for eight years. As their paths intertwine in unexpected ways within the backdrop of a luxurious mansion and high-stakes office dynamics, hidden feelings resurface, igniting a tale of love, loyalty, and second chances. This modern romantic narrative by CrushReel delves deep into themes of forbidden love, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships in the world of billionaires and CEOs. What sets "Addicted to You" apart is its deft exploration of the characters' internal conflicts and the magnetic pull drawing them together despite external obstacles. Experience the emotional rollercoaster as Audrey and Floyd navigate their undeniable connection amidst societal expectations and personal dilemmas. Available to read online at CrushReel for those seeking a story that goes beyond conventional romance tropes with its rich character development and intricate plot twists.