Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 225

Chapter 225 I Love You

Leonardo’s POV:

:

.(4)

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It felt strange, even to me. Here I was, a werewolf who used to pour all my energy into work, now acting like a lovesick young man craving his mate’s scent.

My good mood was obvious today. Even Natalie commented on the smile I couldn’t seem to wipe off my face. The business trip was winding down. After one final ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow morning, I would finally be heading home.

Natalie’s eyes lit up through the phone screen. She immediately asked for my return time and insisted on coming to pick me up.

But I didn’t have a firm time yet. There was still a promotional shoot tomorrow morning. If it went smoothly, I’d be back in the afternoon. If not, it could be late at night.

I didn’t want her waiting around.

But Natalie was firm. “It doesn’t matter,” she said. “No matter how late it is, I want to be the first person you see.”

My heart softened. Before I could answer, Aaron approached, signaling he needed me.

“It’s getting dark,” Natalie said gently. “The mountain roads are dangerous. You should head back to the hotel now.”

“Okay,” I agreed. I paused, then said her name again.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Nothing,” I finally said, my voice low. “Just get some rest tonight. I’ll call

you tomorrow.”

After hanging up, I shot Aaron a mildly irritated look. In the distance, Victoria’s team was setting up for night filming. They were racing the last of the daylight, hence the interruption.

Victoria was on this trip, but we’d operated separately. I hadn’t seen her at all.

But tomorrow’s ceremony and interviews required her presence. Contact was unavoidable.

I’d almost brought it up with Natalie, but it felt forced. More importantly, I didn’t want to give

any reason to worry.

her

Victoria only filmed some B-roll of the crew and the night scenery, with my convoy as a

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Chapter 225 I Love You

passing backdrop. Her team was efficient, wrapping up in under an hour.

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As my car was about to leave in the now complete darkness, she knocked on the window.

Aaron lowered it and glanced at me before asking politely, “Ms. Thompson, what can we do for you?”

“My car is full. Mind if I catch a ride back to the hotel?” Victoria’s gaze slid toward me. “We could go over tomorrow’s schedule on the way, Mr. Sanchez. Save me a trip to your room later.”

I opened my eyes and nodded for Aaron to let her in.

She moved to sit beside me. My voice was cold. “Take a seat up front.”

It was a spacious seven-seater. Victoria flushed slightly but complied, sitting in the front row and deliberately leaving two empty seats between us.

“Is this acceptable, Mr. Sanchez?” she asked.

I didn’t answer, just gestured for her to proceed.

The car navigated the winding mountain road smoothly. Only a dim reading light was on inside. Victoria pulled out a tablet and started reviewing the schedule. I listened with my eyes closed most of the time, only opening them to ask a brief, pointed question.

“And this is the final segment,” Victoria said, suddenly turning the tablet toward me. It showed a schematic. “There’s a last-minute addition for tomorrow morning. We need to be at the mountain overlook before dawn to film…”

As she spoke, the car took a sharp turn. She swayed, nearly dropping the tablet.

She seemed to expect me to steady her. But I just leaned further back and crossed my arms, avoiding even the possibility of accidental contact.

“Proceed as you’ve arranged, Ms. Thompson. Just ensure it concludes promptly,” I said, my tone devoid of inflection.

Victoria nodded. Work discussion over, silence settled in the car. She stared out at the dense blackness beyond the window, her fingers tightening almost imperceptibly.

We arrived at the hotel late. Aaron got out first to open the door for Victoria. It was the only decent hotel nearby, but I’d made sure we were booked in separate wings.

As I turned to leave, Victoria’s voice stopped me.

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Chapter 225 I Love You

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“Leonardo,” she said, “you haven’t told Ms. Anderson the truth about what you are, have you?”

I stopped in my tracks. The night lengthened my shadow, making it look cold and sharp on the ground.

Victoria quickly stepped in front of me. Aaron immediately moved to intercept her. “Ms. Thompson…”

“I was wrong back then,” she added. “I shouldn’t have doubted you and shouldn’t have wavered. But I see it clearly now. I love you. I can accept every part of you.

“Natalie isn’t like me. If she knew the truth, do you really think she’d stay?”

Her composure was cracking again.

“She is nothing like you,” I said, my voice low and icy. “If it were her, she would never have walked away when I was at my lowest.”

I stated it as fact, though my back stiffened for a fraction of a second.

“So do you dare to tell her, Leonardo?” she challenged. “Do you dare let her know that the man sharing her bed every night might be a…”

“Enough.” My voice was quiet, rough, but carried a dead calm that felt more threatening than any shout.

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