Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 317

Chapter 317 A Chance to Leave

Leonardo’s POV:

Natalie was good at comforting. Her voice was soft as a night breeze.

Finished

“I just… I…” I couldn’t bring myself to look at her. I was so filled with self-loathing that I wished I wasn’t born.

I had lost control again. I’d become that beast again-unable to control itself, lashing out indiscriminately.

I had seen that despicable, ugly version of myself again-the one I couldn’t even face.

How could someone who couldn’t control himself, a monster who could hurt his loved ones at any moment, face the person he cherished and loved?

This realization weighed on me like a curse, crushing me instantly.

Natalie’s POV:

“It’s okay,” I cut him off, not letting him continue. “We can talk about it later. Just calm down first.”

I could tell, of course, that this was much more than simple anger from an emotional outburst or a fight with his father. Leonardo had briefly, completely lost his mind. It was as if something more primal and dark had taken over his body.

“Are you afraid?” Leonardo asked me quietly, his voice muffled, already expecting the worst.

“Afraid?” I was confused.

“Of me.” Leonardo let out a faint, self-mocking sound that held no warmth. “Natalie, tell me the truth.”

I frowned. “It’s only natural for anyone to feel a little…” My eyes flickered away involuntarily.

“You didn’t answer directly,” Leonardo interrupted me. He finally looked up at me. His eyes were human again, but they were filled with desolation and understanding. “Actually, it’s perfectly normal for you to be afraid. Any sane person… or werewolf… would be afraid of what they just saw.”

His tone was so calm and rational that it only made me more anxious.

“Because… my father was right. I really am an uncontrollable madman.” Leonardo took a deep breath, leaning back slightly and bracing his hands on the floor. Suddenly, I felt it-the tight hold that had kept him normal and strong for so many years, the pride and dignity of the Silver-Maned Pack Alpha leader—all snapping.

His sharp jawline was clenched tight. In the light, his face was pale, the outline of his bones showing profound exhaustion.

“Stop talking,” I said, my voice turning cooler. “You’re not a madman.”

“I am.” Leonardo turned his head away, not looking at me, his gaze fixed on some empty point in the air. A faint, watery redness tinged his eyes, and a bitterly self-mocking smile touched his lips. “Actually, the real reason Victoria betrayed me and left was because of this.”

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18:08 Tue, Jan

Chapter 317 A Chance to Leave

My heart sank heavily.

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Finished

“I have a ‘condition”,” he said softly, as if saying it would make him bear immense pressure. “A bloodline defect-something in my genes. It makes me lose control of my shifting instincts, lose my mind completely, and attack everything around me… And it could come back anytime.”

“Don’t say anymore.” My voice dropped, my gaze falling to my thickly bandaged hand.

No wonder Victoria said those things to me and looked at me with that pitying, complicated expression. Did she think only she could “accept” this version of Leonardo? Or did she believe I would eventually leave him out of fear, just like she did?

“Natalie, I’m selfish.” Leonardo seemed not to hear my protest. This was the first time he was so regardless of my feelings, determined to tear open the darkest truth. “From the very beginning, I never planned to tell you. I hid it from you. I hoped that as long as I carefully controlled my emotions, as long as I wasn’t pushed to the edge, I could live with you like a normal werewolf, be your mate, and protect you.”

I suddenly remembered Leonardo once asking me what I would do if he ever lied to me.

“So?” I asked him quietly.

He paused. All the usual gentleness was gone from his voice, replaced by a cold, unfamiliar tone, as if stating facts about someone else. “So, if you regret it now, we can stop here.”

His gaze flickered toward me, just for an instant.

I kept my head down. My injured hand gave an unconscious little twitch.

Leonardo’s POV:

I didn’t dare to think about it. If I hadn’t come back to my senses in that moment earlier, would Natalie still be sitting safely in front of me right now?

Lately, I’d been holding onto happiness I didn’t deserve. I’d been getting by on borrowed luck, enjoying the happiest, most satisfied time of my life. But now, that dream was done.

No matter how much I wanted to hold on, no matter how greedily I wanted more, I couldn’t.

For the sake of my own unrealistic desires and greed, I had already hurt her.

Victoria was right. I was already spent, barely holding on. Someone like me didn’t deserve someone as good as Natalie.

“What did you say?” Natalie’s head snapped up, her eyes locking directly onto mine.

I quickly looked away, forcing the words out with difficulty. “I made myself clear. I don’t need you to stay out of pity. I’m giving you a chance to leave.”

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18:08 Tue, Jan 27.

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