Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 357

Chapter 357 Cleared Away My Worries

Natalie’s POV:

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There was no salutation, no signature-just a few brief words, which shocked me, “Louisa died.”

Just from the tone, I knew exactly who had sent it.

Louisa’s heart had always been weak. Her doctor had warned long ago that she needed to rest and avoid emotional stress. Her death was, indeed, connected to seeing me yesterday. I felt an unavoidable heaviness in my chest.

Just then, Leonardo stirred awake. Seeing me staring distractedly at my phone, he snuggled

closer.

“What are you looking at?” He sensed my low mood almost immediately and reached to take the phone.

Leonardo’s POV:

“Landon’s grandmother passed away.” Natalie’s tone was flat, showing no obvious emotion, but I clearly sensed the unease beneath her calm exterior.

I paused, not giving an immediate opinion, only pulling her nearer and holding her tightly.

I knew Natalie. She seemed strong and decisive, but she was soft-hearted and valued loyalty deeply. Even if someone had hurt her badly, hearing that they had died indirectly because of her would trouble her.

Seeing her like this only made my heart ache more.

I didn’t care about the fate of those in the Thorn Pack, but I couldn’t stand seeing Natalie

uncomfortable.

“Natalie, don’t overthink this. It’s not your fault,” I said softly, my voice gentle yet carrying undeniable strength. I took her phone and set it aside. My thumb stroked the skin behind her ear, and I kissed her forehead with a slight frown.

Natalie’s POV:

“I really didn’t think she would…” I murmured, leaning against him.

Yesterday, I was a little worried, but part of me hoped Louisa wouldn’t have a problem because of me. My grudge against the Richardson family was over, and even though Louisa was annoying, I never wanted her dead. I couldn’t quite name what I was feeling now. Hearing of her death, it was hard not to blame myself.

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Chapter 357 Cleared Away My Worries

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The truth was, Louisa, like everyone else in the Richardson family, didn’t deserve my pity.

But as a fellow female, a fellow member of werewolf society, a complex sense of sorrow for her circumstances stirred deep within me.

She had lived her whole life for the Richardson family. She had been a good woman from a decent family, but she grew accustomed to being dependent on Gabriel, always sticking to her role as a mate. In the end, she just served the Thorn Pack and the men around her.

Louisa’s extreme selfishness was all for her mate, her son, and her grandson.

She had no self.

Actually, when I first arrived at the Thorn Pack, I could tell Louisa genuinely appreciated me. She wanted to support and protect me.

That faint kindness might not have been intentional, but it was instinctive.

Because I was inherently different from the other women in the Richardson family. I possessed. an independent spirit and the courage to rebel.

But that very difference destined our separate paths.

“I know, Natalie. It was just an unfortunate event.” Leonardo’s thumb brushed over the space between my brows, pressing gently to ease my unease. Leonardo wasn’t a man of many words, but just hearing his voice seemed to clear away the clutter in my mind.

So this was what it felt like to have someone reliable supporting me.

I relaxed completely in Leonardo’s arms, giving him my most vulnerable side. He gently stroked my head while continuing to kiss my face softly.

After a long while, he spoke again, his voice low, “Yesterday, she initiated the confrontation. She attacked you and insulted me with the vilest language. All we did was defend ourselves, uphold our dignity, and respect our boundaries. Did the fact that we didn’t submit to her will or endure her insults make us responsible for her extreme reaction?”

His logic was clear, cold, and utterly correct. “That’s not how the world works. The weaker party isn’t automatically right.” His tone was steady and gentle, calming me down.

His words cleared up the confusion in my heart. I looked at him, my eyes suddenly bright, my face warming slightly.

Seeing the change in my expression, Leonardo thought he’d said something wrong. His usually stern features showed rare uncertainty. “Was I wrong?”

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