Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 305

Chapter 305 You Are Not Her

Aaliyah’s POV:

“Have you been drinking?” I asked.

He ignored me, turning and shuffling unsteadily back into the house. He was unsteady on his feet, his usually straight back now hunched. He was barely recognizable.

He made his way to the dining area and pulled out a chair at the breakfast bar. The sight before me made my heart clench. The once clean and tidy space was now a mess. Trash was scattered everywhere. Empty liquor bottles lay toppled on the table and floor.

“Landon… What happened to you?” The words left my lips in a whisper. When I left, he was determined to end our contract, but he was still the proud, restrained Landon I knew. How had he fallen this far?

He slumped onto a stool in front of the bar, his hand finding a bottle. “When are we breaking the bond?” he slurred, not looking at me.

The question hit me like a physical blow. After all these days of worry, after gathering the courage to come here, his first words to me were about breaking the bond?

“Are you really that set on ending it?” My mood plummeted. “Anna told me you were beaten up. Do you have any idea how worried I was? I came here specifically to see you!”

“Yeah, thanks to you, I’m not dead yet,” Landon sneered, his eyes glued to the bottle.

“Do you have to be like this?” I pleaded, taking a step closer. “Thorn Pack isn’t finished! Even if we keep the bond, even without your grandmother’s funding, can’t we really rebuild a company?”

I thought this was still about money, about the pack’s decline. But my words seemed to have no effect on him. He tilted his head back to take another drink.

I snatched the bottle from his hand. “What if I said I’d stay? What if I said I’d take care of you, help you get back on your feet? Would you still drown yourself like this?”

He glanced at me, then pushed himself up, staggering toward the kitchen, probably to get another bottle.

I couldn’t take the distance and the coldness anymore. Instinct overrode pride. I walked up behind him, wrapped my arms around his waist, and pressed my face against his back. His body was tense beneath the soft wool sweater.

“Landon… I really can’t let you go.” My voice caught. “Even if Natalie doesn’t want you, even if

1/3

Thorn Pack is struggling, you still have Nathan and me. Have you forgotten all the good times we shared? You promised me. You swore you would never leave me. I know the mate path has obstacles. No relationship is ever easy. But please, don’t give up so easily. Okay?”

I felt like I was trampling my own pride underfoot once again. I was lowering myself, begging him. But ten years of shared life, secret vows under the moon, our pup… I couldn’t just walk away. I refused to accept this! I refused to lose! Even if Thorn Pack only saw Natalie’s virtues, even if Landon wanted to turn back, if this relationship was to end, I should be the one to end it first.

Just as I was almost moved by my own plea, he said coldly, “Aaliyah, are you done with the act?”

My entire body froze. The arms I had wrapped around him were shoved away forcefully. He took half a step back and turned to face me.

The look in his eyes stole my breath. He stared at me, his eyes frigid, lightless.

“Landon, are you doubting my sincerity?” I trembled. A tear escaped, leaving a hot trail down my cheek. This felt utterly absurd now. I had given everything, and he still didn’t believe me?

He said, “You are not her.”

Those four words, spoken so softly, so flatly, shattered my world.

“What… what did you say?” I was shocked.

Landon’s POV:

“I said, you’ve been lying to me for ten whole years. Haven’t you done with the act?” I didn’t know why a smile tugged at my lips as I said it.

But the hatred in my heart was growing wild. Looking at the woman before me, I felt not a shred of the pity, heartache, or guilt I once had.

All that remained was disgust, anger, and endless resentment.

If she hadn’t deceived me, if she hadn’t stolen someone else’s place in my heart when I was young and lost…

Would Thorn Pack have fallen this far?

Would I have done those despicable things I now loathe myself for, and missed the person who was truly sincere with me?

Remembering the past, even our once-sweet memories felt like blades, twisting in my gut.

Aaliyah’s POV:

2/3

longest time.

How… How did he know?

“What are you talking about? I don’t understand. What did I ever lie to you about?” I tried to struggle, hoping Landon was just drunk and rambling. I moved to hug him again.

This time, he didn’t just push me away. He flung my arm off with force. I stumbled, my back hitting the corner of the wall behind me. I barely caught my balance, my palm slapping against the wall for support.

1.2K

(i)

3/3