Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3: A Surprise

Natalie’s Perspective:

“Wait.” Just as Nathan attempted to slip past me, I sprang to my feet and caught his arm with a firm grip. The unmistakable scent of Aaliyah and Landon clung to him—a pureblood aroma that churned my stomach—but the surge of power coursing through my veins gave me strength. I forced myself to block out the revulsion and dragged him effortlessly toward the wall.

“Stand right there!” I commanded sharply.

“Let me go, you horrible woman!” Nathan thrashed, baring his still-developing fangs in defiance. But I was no stranger to handling his tantrums. With a swift, practiced motion, I twisted his arms behind his back and slammed his face against the wall.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a thick, flexible vine draped over a nearby decorative vase—meant for flowers but perfect for what I needed. I seized it and swung it through the air.

The vine struck Nathan’s backside with a sharp crack. The sudden pain overwhelmed him, and he howled, a raw, earth-shaking wail.

“Natalie! What are you doing?” Aaliyah’s voice cut through the tension as she rushed over, her tone sharp and accusing. “Nathan already apologized! Why do you have to be so cruel? He’s still just a child!”

I sidestepped her outstretched hands with ease, my grip on the vine unrelenting. It came down again with a stinging blow.

“Ms. Cooper,” I said icily, “Nathan is my son. As his mother, I have every right to discipline him.” My words were a calculated jab, meant to strike where it hurt most. “You’re so quick to defend him—it’s almost like you’re his real mother.”

Aaliyah’s face drained of color. Her nails dug into her palms as if trying to hold back a scream. Her throat seemed to close up. “I… I just think he’s young, and it wasn’t a major mistake.”

“Minor mistakes become major problems if left unchecked,” I replied coldly. “I’m no expert in pup-rearing like you, Ms. Cooper, but for a cub who refuses to learn basic respect, pain is the only language he understands. Otherwise, he’ll grow harder to control.”

My words silenced her entirely. Legally and morally, she had no grounds to interfere with a mother disciplining her disobedient son.

Landon stood frozen, clearly stunned by my sudden severity. Usually, my discipline was limited to stern words—I had never struck Nathan before. But his behavior was unacceptable. Still, under Aaliyah’s anxious, pained gaze, Landon stepped forward and placed a hand gently on my wrist holding the vine.

“Alright, Natalie. You’ve made your point. That’s enough,” he said softly, attempting to defuse the situation.

His words rang true. Those few hard lashes had released a fraction of the anger and humiliation I’d been bottling up. I loosened my grip and dropped the vine to the floor. Nathan immediately cowered behind Aaliyah, trembling like a frightened animal. His sobs shook his small frame, and for once, he didn’t even glare back at me.

Aaliyah’s frown deepened, her rage simmering beneath the surface as she silently patted Nathan’s back.

I looked down at them both, my voice sharp and commanding, laced with an authority that brooked no argument. I even tapped into the Moon-Shadow Bloodline power within me—a force I barely controlled yet.

“Nathan, listen carefully. As long as I am your legal mother, you will learn respect.” I glanced at the vine lying on the floor and continued, “If you ever pull a stunt like that again, this will remind you of the rules.”

Nathan’s sobs faltered under my gaze. I turned away without another word, leaving the dining room with an icy resolve.

Landon’s Perspective:

I stood there, stunned—seeing Natalie in this new light was like witnessing a stranger.

I instinctively moved to follow her, but Aaliyah gripped my arm tightly. “Landon…” Her voice cracked with tears and deep sorrow, as though she had been gravely wronged and was nearing her breaking point.

I watched Natalie’s retreating figure, a strange unease settling in my chest. Something about her today was different. The fierce determination in her eyes carried a weight I hadn’t noticed before—a pressure reminiscent of a higher-ranked wolf. Impossible. She was only a low-level Beta.

Aaliyah held onto my arm, her eyes brimming with hurt and tears that made my heart ache. I knew all she had endured. Years ago, my grandfather had vehemently opposed my bond with Aaliyah, claiming her lineage wasn’t “pure” enough to benefit the Richardson family.

I was young then, powerless against family expectations. Aaliyah lost her university professorship and had to reinvent herself as a pup development specialist.

I chose Natalie for two reasons: first, her beauty would appease the family; second, my research showed she was a low-level Beta, educated in human institutions. A top finance graduate from an elite university, she was capable but alone—easy to control, the perfect assistant and convenient façade.

To comfort Aaliyah, we secretly completed our soul bond long ago. I promised her that once I secured full control of the Richardson family, she and Nathan would receive the status they deserved.

Natalie was, from start to finish, just a pawn in our game.

But now, that pawn was moving independently. She demanded an outrageously expensive property and publicly disciplined Nathan with words sharp enough to cut. Had her werewolf bloodline finally awakened? Or had she uncovered something?

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