Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 270

Chapter 270 Acting Normal

Natalie’s POV:

Night had fallen as I hurried off the elevator and toward my apartment door.

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I’d driven home like a woman possessed. Only an hour had passed since my call with Leonardo. I hadn’t told him I was leaving, wanting to surprise him-and to check if he’d actually kept his promise to stay home and rest!

But when I pushed the door open, I was met with a still, dark room. Only the city lights through the floor- to-ceiling windows cast faint, ghostly shapes across the living room.

I paused, surprised. Alpha werewolves were usually very aware of any movement in their territory. Leonardo should have sensed my presence and footsteps long ago.

“Leonardo?” I called out softly, a thread of unease winding through me. I kept my voice low, almost afraid to disturb the quiet. My senses picked up his scent-cedar and cold moonlight-but it was fainter and more muddled than usual.

It wasn’t until I rounded the sofa that I found him. He was curled in the corner, a thin blanket draped over him, eyes closed. He looked so still hat it made my heart ache.

“Leon.” Relief washed over me. I dropped my purse and crouched beside the sofa. I called his name softly twice, gently touching his forehead and his hand, checking for any sign of distress.

“You’re back.” His voice was thick and low, raspy from sleep. He opened his eyes, his long lashes fluttering before his gaze settled on me, warm and soft.

“That was quick. I thought you’d be longer,” he said.

“Why are you sitting in the dark? Are you tired? If you’re tired, you should be in bed. Are you feeling okay?” The questions tumbled out one after another.

Leonardo didn’t get a chance to answer. Seeing me start to rise, he reached out and pulled me into his lap. His arms circled my waist. His grip was gentler than usual, but the possessiveness was still there.

“A little sleepy. It wasn’t this dark earlier. I was thinking and must have dozed off,” he murmured. His warm breath brushed against my car, instantly scrambling my senses.

The heat coming off him confirmed something was wrong. I gently pushed his face back and pressed my forehead to his again. “Leonardo, something’s off. Are you running a fever? Your head feels hotter than

mine!”

Leonardo muttered, “I’m not.” But his denial was weak.

“We’re checking your temperature.” This time, I wasn’t taking no for an answer. I slipped out of his hold ‘and went straight for the first-aid kit.

Leonardo’s POV:

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Mon, Jan 19

Chapter 270 Acting Normal

19

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I sighed, but I did feel heavy and lethargic. I stayed put, waiting as Natalie returned with the thermometer. I tilted my head back, exposing the sharp line of my jaw and neck. A soft beep later, and Natalie’s expression changed.

“It’s 101.8°F. You have a fever,” she said. A werewolf’s normal range was 99.5°F to 101.3 F. So, 101.8 F was high for me in recovery.

“It’s just a slight fever. Some residual inflammation. The doctor said it’s normal,” I said, not wanting her to worry. I tried to change the subject, but Natalie ignored me, pulling out her phone to call the doctor.

Her voice was polite and calm on the phone, but the rapid flow of questions couldn’t hide her anxiety and

care.

Watching her pace as she talked, an old, buried wound in my heart began to throb faintly.

She was so worried about me, caring for me so completely. If she knew the truth-that I could hurt her, that a beast lived in the depths of my soul that could lose control would she still look at me like that?

If time could just stop here, right now, and never move forward, would I be happier?

Beside me, my phone screen had gone completely dark.

I had replied to Victoria’s message from this morning, “I’m not the man for you anymore. I wish you happiness.”

I knew what Victoria wanted. Seeing her would solve nothing. That reply was the last acknowledgment I could give for the good times we once shared. I owed her no explanation-only a debt to her family.

Victoria must have known I wouldn’t be blackmailed. Her message could cause trouble for the Thompson family.

Since I owed them, I had no desire to harm Victoria.

Besides, even if I silenced her, could I hide my secret forever?

I wasn’t confident. And I didn’t want to lie to Natalie. Victoria’s words were a reminder. No matter how perfect I tried to be, a slip-up was always possible. Even if I believed Natalie wouldn’t leave me, how could I bear to put her at risk?

I had braced myself all day for Victoria to tell Natalie everything, a nervous tension humming under my

skin.

But Natalie had come home acting normal. Maybe Victoria hadn’t spoken to her yet.

“The doctor said you have an infection. You need to take your medicine on time,” Natalie said finally, hanging up the phone. She went to prepare the pills and a glass of water.

19:47 Mon, Jan 19 GT