Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 281

Chapter 281 Avoiding Him

Natalie’s POV:

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Finished

It wasn’t hard to figure out. Chloe had been at odds with the Grayclaw Pack for years. Their relationship was terrible, but she couldn’t leave.

I’d learned about her situation from Liam, about how her mother’s inheritance was held by the Kelly family.

If Chloe left, they’d have to give it up. Of course, they wouldn’t want to.

That was why Chloe kept trying to pass their evaluations.

If finding a bonded mate was another possible path, then the rumors about her being promiscuous started to make sense.

Chloe’s POV:

“Don’t tell Liam,” I said. “I promised his father I wouldn’t drag him down again.”

After our interaction this time, I knew Liam still had feelings for me. With his kind nature, he’d definitely try to help if he knew.

Seeing Natalie hesitate, I added quickly, “If he finds out, I won’t have the strength to keep going.”

I claimed I was trying to save myself, but I’d mostly given up. How good could I be when I hated my own guts?

Natalie’s POV:

Seeing the plea in her eyes, I finally nodded. I understood some of Chloe’s thinking. Sometimes, people loved someone so much they were afraid to get close. Even if they seemed perfect, they worried it would end badly. Besides, there were real obstacles between Liam and Chloe. Matthew would most likely never approve of them being together.

Liam was a loyal wolf. It had taken him so long to move on. If Chloe couldn’t treat him right, both of them would end up hurt.

Love! What a strange thing it was!

Not loving wasn’t an option, but loving too much wasn’t either.

Just like with Leonardo, because I cared so much, even a single name was enough to throw me completely off balance.

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21:02 Wed, Jan 21

Chapter 281 Avoiding Him

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29

Finished

I picked up my glass and drank half of it. I came here to relax, but Chloe’s mood was rubbing off on me.

I ended up having three drinks before getting up to use the restroom. The cocktails weren’t strong, but they made my head feel fuzzy. My mood, however, had darkened.

Coming out of the bathroom, the loud music and stuffy air made me dizzy. I’d had too much tonight, but I needed that buzz to forget Leonardo, to forget the sting of that name from his dreams.

I’d only taken a few steps when a tall shadow fell over me. A familiar scent, even masked by strong smoke and alcohol, hit me instantly. It was Landon.

The drunken feeling vanished, replaced by clear-headed coldness and a surge of disgust.

Chloe’s POV:

After Natalie left, I slumped over the table, scrolling through my contacts on my phone. My thumb stopped on Liam’s number again.

Just then, a vibration snapped me out of it. Natalie had left her phone on the table.

I saw the name on her screen-Leonardo. The screen went dark, but the caller didn’t give up. It lit up again and again. A bit tipsy, I answered it. “Mr. Sanchez?”

“Who is this?” His voice came through the receiver.

“This is Chloe. Natalie and I are having a drink. She’s in the restroom. We’ll be heading back soon,” I said, trying to sound calm.

“Address,” Leonardo shot back with just one word. His tone was low, cold, like he was giving an order.

I frowned. He really wasn’t polite.

But I told him anyway, “It’s near the Scott Group, really close. Are you coming to get Natalie? We already called a ride, Mr. Sanchez. No need for you to go through the trouble.”

After hearing it, he simply said, “I’m nearby. Tell her to wait for me.” Then he hung up.

I wanted to say something else, but all I heard was the dial tone.

He wasn’t easy to deal with. Whenever I saw Natalie and Leonardo together, they seemed sweet.

But that kind of sweetness between lovers had an expiration date.

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21:02 Wed, Jan 21

Chapter 281 Avoiding Him

I had no confidence in relationships, so I saw everything pessimistically.

29

429

Finished

The fact that Natalie came out drinking with me today—even if she didn’t mention Leonardo- clearly meant she was avoiding him.

It suddenly hit me. Was giving Leonardo the address the right move? On the other hand, if he really was nearby, if he really cared about Natalie, I shouldn’t stop him.

There was obviously something dark between Natalie and Leonardo.

I finished the last bit of my drink, the bitter taste spreading on my tongue. Grayclaw Pack was like a net, trapping me. My mother’s inheritance was the bait, marriage was the key, and I was the prisoner everyone saw as powerless to save herself.

Just thinking the name “Liam” sent a sharp pain through my chest.

It wasn’t that I didn’t like him. The opposite was true. I liked him too much-so much it scared me, so much I’d rather push him away than see him get hurt or fall from grace because of me.

Liam was Moon-Shadowed Pack’s Alpha, a wolf in the sunlight-strong, upright, warm. And what was I? I was just a Beta disowned by my family, a daughter my own mother was disappointed in, a jinx who would bring nothing but trouble.

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21:02 Wed, Jan 21

Ditch Fake Bond: She’s Tycoon Wolf Heiress