Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 363

Chapter 363 I’ll Be Greedy

Leonardo’s POV:

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After Natalie left and the sound of the shower started, I sat up in bed and let out a light cough. My brow furrowed as I pressed a hand firmly against my stomach. A dull, persistent ache had come back again. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to relax.

I’d woken up in the middle of the night with the pain. I rushed to the bathroom, and a wave of violent nausea hit me. What came up was tinged with bright red streaks of blood.

I remembered the doctor pointing to the scan, saying that the shadow on my stomach was likely internal bruising.

But it was too intense. I didn’t want Natalie to worry, so I’d just rinsed off in the shower, hoping to ease the discomfort.

I thought it was just a severe but temporary reaction, that rest would fix it. But today, starting in the afternoon, the unease had been coming in waves. At the bar, to keep her from worrying, I’d forced down that entire taco even though I felt nauseous.

I had talked to the doctor this morning. He said it was most likely still the bruising, but there could be other issues. He urged me to come back as soon as possible for a thorough check-up.

I had promised Natalie I’d be honest with her. But seeing her so happy, the words just wouldn’t

come.

I could only tell myself it was probably just a bad reaction to the bruising, that it would pass.

Even if it was something more serious, it would be the same to tell Natalie after the check-up.

Natalie’s POV:

Exhausted, I fell into a deep, peaceful sleep beside Leonardo that night.

I woke up early the next day to find Leonardo still asleep, eyes closed, holding me. His body was curled up slightly. Even in sleep, a trace of weariness lingered between his brows.

My heart clenched. Keeping his promise to give me a grand wedding must have taken so much out of him. I gently brushed my fingers over his thick lashes, and his deep eyes flew open.

Leonardo made a low sound, catching my hand with sleepy laziness. His voice was rough. “Awake?”

“Yes, it’s still early. You can sleep ten more minutes,” I whispered, my fingertips gently smoothing the stray hairs from his forehead.

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Chapter 363 I’ll Be Greedy

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He closed his eyes, pulling me closer against him, nuzzling the top of my head, and murmured an acknowledgment. This rare display of vulnerability made my heart melt completely. I closed my eyes again, too, quietly keeping him company until the alarm went off.

The day’s shooting went incredibly smoothly. Maybe because we were so in tune, every look we shared and every time we joined hands before the camera were full of unspoken understanding and deep affection.

The backdrop, the light, the ancient atmosphere of the Ancient Wolf Sanctum-everything was perfect. We finished the entire day’s schedule by early evening.

As we packed up, Lila Voss, a lively makeup artist, sidled over to me. “Natalie,” she whispered, “behind the Sanctum, near the old palace wall, there’s this famous Moon Goddess Tree. They say it’s over a thousand years old! Lots of couples go there to make a wish. It’s supposed to be really powerful! The sunset glow is still perfect right now. You and Mr. Sanchez should go!”

She pointed helpfully. I was not usually one for crowds, but with Leonardo… my interest was instantly piqued.

“Want to go see it?” I asked him, hopeful.

With me, Leonardo’s answer was always the same. He nodded, lacing his fingers with mine. “Okay. Let’s make a wish.”

“Natalie, here!” Lila fished a cute instant camera from her bag and handed it to me. “For a keepsake!”

The Moon Goddess Tree stood in a quiet corner behind the Sanctum. Its trunk was so thick it would take several people to encircle it, and its sprawling canopy reached into the crimson- tinged sky. A long wooden table beneath it held many silk ribbons and small wooden tags for people to write their wishes.

Approaching the ancient tree, you could feel a timeless serenity and solemnity, as if it had listened to the whispers and prayers of countless werewolf lovers over the ages.

The last of the sunset painted the sky in warm golds and reds, casting a soft glow around us. Hand in hand with Leonardo, I walked to the tree. I carefully picked two ribbons, neatly wrote our names on them, and tried to tie them to a lower branch.

Leonardo, being tall, saw me struggling on my toes. He took the ribbons from behind me and deftly wound them together, tying a secure, neat knot.

“They say mates who tie their names here together receive the Moon Goddess’ blessing for a long, loving life, never to part,” I said softly, looking up at the intertwined ribbons.

“One lifetime isn’t enough.” Leonardo’s voice was calm and certain, clear in the quiet space.

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