Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 243

Chapter 243 If You Need Me

Liam’s POV:

10 Free Coms

“Even so, using that technology-even an old version-to get me home was too high a price,” I said with a sigh. “You shouldn’t have taken that risk for me.”

Chloe finally turned her head. Her eyes held that familiar stubbornness. “Liam, you really haven’t changed. Still overthinking everything. I said I wanted to do it. My choices are my own.”

Normally, I would have taken that as another one of her defiant outbursts. But this time, I sensed something else. If this deal hadn’t required her to be here in person, would she have done it quietly, just like with that old misunderstanding? Would she have helped me without ever explaining why?

Chloe’s POV:

The plane flew smoothly at cruising altitude. I slept for a long time. When I woke, the window showed a dark sky. The cabin lights were dim. The seat beside me was empty. Liam was gone.

“Where’s Liam?” I asked urgently, sitting up and addressing a nearby staff member.

“I’m right here.” His voice came from across the aisle. He walked over, a tablet in his hand. Its screen glowed, lighting up his sharp features.

I let out a breath, then felt embarrassed for overreacting. “I thought you…” I mumbled, settling back into my seat.

“You were worried about me?” He sat down beside me. A faint smile seemed to touch his lips.

I didn’t want to admit it, but my silence said it all. This trip to Mervia was more stressful than it seemed. Liam getting detained, the Kelly family’s fury over my unauthorized actions, and the pressure of dealing with werewolves connected to the Mervia military had all worn me out.

Once seated, Liam asked, “What are your plans after we get back?”

I looked down, idly twisting the belt of my robe. “What plans? I’ll just go back to my ‘selfish, clueless’ life.” I used his words on purpose, teasing myself with a hint of sharpness.

Liam’s brow furrowed slightly. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Grayclaw Pack won’t let this go easily if they find out what you did for me. And… is there anything I can do for you?” His tone was sincere.

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Chapter 243 If You Need Me

+10 Free Coins

“I told you, we’re even,” I said, pulling a tired smile. “I can’t afford to cross Grayclaw Pack. And I definitely can’t cross your Moon-Shadowed Pack.” I was thinking of Matthew. Liam had promised him to stay away from me. With this Amelia mess, Matthew might blame me all over again.

Liam seemed about to say more, but stopped himself. It came out as a soft, almost inaudible sigh. Maybe he understood. His concern, while sweet, was also a burden. It reminded us both of the line we could never cross.

“Regardless,” he said, his voice low and firm, “if you ever need my help, just ask.”

“Aren’t you busy with work? Will you even have time to worry about me after we land?” I teased lightly, trying to keep it casual. I heard the seriousness in his voice. I didn’t want him looking at me with pity or judgment, like I was some lost cause he needed to save.

“If you need me,” he said, looking right at me. The words came out almost without thought. “I’ll always be there.”

The moment the words left his mouth, we both froze. In the dim cabin light, time seemed to stop for a few seconds. The promise was too heavy. It went beyond “friends.” It sounded like the kind of vow a werewolf made to a mate, a promise of belonging.

My heart skipped a beat wildly, then sank.

Suddenly, the plane hit turbulence. It jolted violently. My face went pale. Instinctively, my hands flew to grip the armrests, my knuckles turning pale. I had a deep, instinctive fear of instability in the air-a stark contrast to my usual reckless nature.

A warm, broad hand gently covered mine on the armrest. “Don’t be scared. It’s just normal turbulence.” Liam’s voice was close, steady, and reassuring.

“I’m not scared,” I insisted, but my trembling hand betrayed me, gripping his tightly. His palm was dry and warm, firmly enveloping my cold, fearful fingers.

Liam knew this contradictory side of me well. I acted on impulse without a care, yet I was secretly a coward. Even thunder and lightning could make me curl into a ball. He used to laugh and say this mix of bravado and vulnerability was… cute.

I held onto his hand until the plane smoothed out completely. Only then did I realize how I must have looked. I let go quickly, flustered.

Liam’s hand hovered for a moment before slowly withdrawing. He didn’t speak, but I could feel a faint, wistful sadness hanging in the air between us.

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18:36 Fri, Jan 16

Chapter 244 Be Blindsided

Chapter 244 Be Blindsided

Natalie’s POV:

ชร

10 Free Coms

The hospital hallway on the southwestern border of Faeloria smelled of disinfectant. I had sat by Leonardo’s bedside for a full day and night. Finally, the exhaustion caught up with me.

I hadn’t brought extra clothes when I came. I’d also caught a chill on the journey. The doctor had just finished checking Leonardo and left. When I tried to stand, a wave of dizziness hit me. I nearly fell.

Miranda noticed immediately. She rushed to support me. “Natalie, go get some rest. I’m here.”

“It’s fine, Miranda. I’ll just rest here for a bit.” I tried to insist, my voice faint.

Fiona appeared in the doorway just then and heard us. Her face immediately creased with

concern.

“Natalie, if you make yourself sick, Leon will be heartbroken when he wakes up,” Fiona said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Listen to me. Go back, take some medicine, and sleep properly.” She called for one of her people to escort me back to the hotel before I could protest again.

I knew better than to argue with her, and I really was worn out. I gave in. Before leaving, I walked to Leonardo’s bedside. I leaned down and gently brushed the hair at his temple.

“I’ll come see you later,” I whispered near his ear.

Back in the hotel suite, I forced myself to take a shower before I collapsed, hoping to wash away the fatigue and chill. But as I closed my eyes under the water, a wave of sadness welled up inside me again.

Lily’s POV:

In my office at the Scott Group in Maritime City, I stared at Natalie’s number on my mobile screen, feeling utterly frantic. She had been out of contact for over twenty-four hours. Two days ago, she’d only left a quick message in our internal group chat saying she had to leave the country urgently. She told me to hold down the fort and wait for her return.

Then Matthew showed up. He took over all of Natalie’s duties temporarily. Those of us who had followed Natalie from the Richardson Group were instantly on high alert. The situation at the Scott Group was much more complex than at the Richardson Group. Plenty of people were watching Natalie-the “outsider” heir with a questionable background-waiting for her to slip up.

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