Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 272

Chapter 272 Thinking About the Wedding

Natalie’s POV:

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I paused before continuing. “Besides, I don’t think you need a specific reason to like someone,” I said. “When you fall for a person, you just naturally want to be with them. You’re willing to accept and embrace their true self, flaws and all. You like them simply for who they are.”

That was the truth. The werewolf mate bond was beyond the ordinary. It was a soulful attraction. I felt an instinctive trust and closeness toward him, a feeling rooted in blood and fate.

Seeing Leonardo staring intently at me, his expression solemn, deep in thought, I smiled softly. I reached out and cupped his face. “Don’t worry. I know things change between the honeymoon phase and marriage. I don’t need you to revolve around me forever. Just be yourself. And anyway, didn’t we agree? We start with trust, and rule number one is believing we’ll make it to the end.”

The mate bond was a lifelong commitment. Once the Moon Goddess’ vow ceremony was complete, it was a union of souls, deeper than any legal contract. I believed we were heading toward that.

Leonardo’s POV:

I looked at Natalie, my lips twitching into a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. Her words moved me deeply, but that just made me feel even more ashamed.

She was being so open with me, so sure about me, while I couldn’t bring myself to tell her about my past. I didn’t dare. I was too afraid of losing her. I didn’t even want to let her choose.

After a long moment, I pulled Natalie back against my chest. My heart was pounding hard and fast.

“So, you like me for me,” I said, my voice low, almost to myself. “Even if I’m a madman.”

It was meant as a joke, but Natalie heard the gloom underneath. “What’s wrong?” she asked, lifting her head to search my face. “You seem… really down today.”

“It’s nothing. Being with you makes me happy,” I murmured, squeezing her tighter. I held her close, like I never wanted to let her go.

Natalie’s POV:

I could tell he didn’t want to talk about it, so I swallowed my questions. Maybe he was just feeling low because he wasn’t well. It was normal for a werewolf’s emotions to fluctuate while injured. Hormone imbalances could affect their mental state.

Even if something was bothering him, I wanted to wait until Leonardo was ready to talk. Trust meant giving each other space. It meant believing the other would open up when the time was right.

‘Leonardo’s POV:

Moonlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling across the hardwood floor of the bedroom. I lay on my side, one arm wrapped tightly around Natalie’s waist, enveloping her completely within my scent.

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19:48 Mon, Jan 19 GT.

Chapter 272 Thinking About the Wedding

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“About the house,” I said. “I had Aaron look at a few estates near the Moon-Shadowed Pack territory. Good security and privacy.”

It was convenient for Natalie’s work. But honestly, I wasn’t thrilled. I craved raw, untouched land far from the city’s noise, deep in the mountains, just the two of us, able to run freely in wolf form and hunt without worrying about humans. That was the life a true mate bond deserved.

Natalie was scrolling through the villa videos Aaron had taken on my phone. “We can go see them in person once you’ve recovered,” she said softly. “You’re not well enough to move yet.” Her fingers absently traced the healing wounds on my back.

“My recovery will take at least two more months. We can move after I’m healed, and have the wedding then,” I said. Even though we’d already exchanged vows at the Temple of the Moon Goddess, I still wanted to give Natalie a grand mating ceremony, like a human wedding.

“I don’t want to make you wait too long,” I whispered, though I knew she was right. A hint of disappointment hung around.

Natalie’s cheeks flushed, and I could hear her heartbeat pick up speed.

Natalie’s POV:

Thinking about the wedding, I realized I had never looked forward to anything this much.

Back when I was with Landon, he suggested skipping a ceremony, and I felt nothing. It seemed like just a formality.

But I understood now. Even if it was just a ritual, going through it with the person I loved gave life its meaning.

I wanted to be a real bride. I wanted to be Leonardo’s most beautiful, happiest bride.

“If you focus on healing properly, then I won’t be waiting long at all,” I said, taking the chance to remind him once more.

He needed to keep a positive mindset, sleep well, take his medicine on time, and follow the doctor’s orders.

I didn’t know if it was my words or the medication, but not long after we settled in bed, Leonardo fell asleep holding me.

Excited by thoughts of the wedding, my mind was buzzing, keeping me awake.

I stayed still, quietly watching Leonardo, listening to his breathing.

Gradually, drowsiness crept in. But just before my eyes fully closed, I heard Leonardo murmur in his sleep.

I immediately stroked his tensed back, trying to soothe him.

Then, a familiar name reached my ears. “Victoria… no…”

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19:48 Mon, Jan 19 G T