Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 397

Chapter 397 Ideal Mate

Chloe’s POV:

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Liam said, “You’re right. I don’t fully understand. But I know you weren’t someone who gave up so easily before. If I were you, I’d pay any price to…”

“Liam!” I cut him off, my face flushed. “You grew up in Moon-Shadowed Pack. You’re strong- willed, emotionally stable-you’re good at everything! I believe you could leave Moon- Shadowed Pack and still live well. But you’ve never been in my position. You don’t know my fear, how I feel… A lot of the time, people aren’t free to choose-their circumstances decide for them!”

Every time I was around Liam, I was on edge.

Because he always managed to step right on my deepest insecurities.

After I said all that, I saw a flash of surprise on Liam’s face, followed by a complex mix of emotions in his eyes.

Seeing Liam look hurt by my words didn’t make me feel any better either.

The atmosphere grew still, thick with awkwardness.

I turned and went back into the bedroom, closing the door behind me.

I didn’t turn on the light. I buried myself under the covers, letting the darkness wrap around

Deep down, I knew my excuses only made me seem more pathetic.

It was just like what my mother had told the Kelly family on her deathbed. “She’s… just like her father. If it comes to it, cut her loose.”

I didn’t know when I fell asleep. When I woke, dawn was breaking.

Stepping out of the room, I thought Liam had left. But just as I was heading to the bathroom, I saw him sit up on the large sofa in the living area.

Liam only had a blanket over him. He’d spent the night like that.

“Liam… you’re still here?” I was startled, and a wave of guilt washed over me.

Liam responded, still drowsy, then woke himself up a bit. He put on his glasses, stood, and straightened his wrinkled shirt.

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Chapter 397 Ideal Mate

“I was too tired to leave last night. Did you sleep well?” he said.

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He walked past me, took off his wristwatch, and went to wash his face.

At the very least, I was certainly more comfortable than he was sleeping on the sofa.

“Liam, yesterday… what I said was a bit…” I fumbled for words, wanting to apologize, but they felt hot on my tongue.

With the faucet running, Liam said quietly, “I’m used to how you talk. The Kelly family is currying favor with Penelope. Now that you’ve crossed Samuel and his group, they’ll definitely use it against you. I think you should stay away from there for a while.”

I felt even more ashamed.

Yesterday, I was only focused on venting my own feelings, but Liam was still thinking about my situation.

“I’ve thought it through,” he continued. “The Kelly family might fear Penelope, but they wouldn’t dare offend Natalie and Leonardo either. I’ll ask Natalie to intervene. At the very least, they won’t be able to use this as an excuse.”

His words surprised me.

He’d already planned a way out for me.

Liam’s POV:

Honestly, I don’t think Chloe should go back to the Grayclaw Pack.

Last night, when I disregarded my own position and Matthew’s warnings to force Chloe away, I’d already made a quiet decision.

From now on, I’d protect her.

Couldn’t Chloe survive in Maritime City without the Grayclaw Pack?

But after hearing her words, I started to reconsider.

I’d always held Chloe to the standards of my own situation.

If I were in her place, I might not be able to cleanly cut ties with the Grayclaw Pack and give up everything I was owed.

And deep down… Chloe probably didn’t want to rely on me.

Realizing this hurt, but I came to terms with it.

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Chapter 397 Ideal Mate

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I said, “Right now, you should focus on passing the Scott Group’s evaluation period. Use your ability to make the Kelly family and everyone else shut up. People have to grow. Even when things are hard, you haven’t given up yet, have you? Not until the very end.”

I knew Chloe might not want to hear this.

I had no right to preach to anyone. But I couldn’t help it, even if Chloe ended up resenting me for it.

Chloe’s POV:

“Liam… actually, there’s another way for me to leave the Kelly family.” Looking at Liam’s handsome face, the words slipped out almost on their own.

His face was still damp. Without his glasses, his features were so soft it was almost painful.

Over the years, I’d seen so many men’s eyes. Only this pair… I never seemed to tire of.

“What way?” Liam asked seriously.

My heart beat faster. That method-the one that had lingered in my mind for so long, but I never dared voice-was bonding with him.

If Liam and I became mates, I could legitimately leave the Grayclaw Pack, free myself from Michael and Hannah’s guardianship.

In Maritime City, Moon-Shadowed Pack’s influence far surpassed the Grayclaw Pack’s.

That was precisely why the Kelly family had worked so hard to sabotage my relationships and

prospects.

Looked at that way, Liam was a truly ideal mate.

That’s why the Kelly family feared him so much, why they’d spent my childhood filling my head with “you’re not good enough” and “don’t get above yourself.”

They made me believe that a man like Liam could never stay by my side, that reaching for Moon-Shadowed Pack would only bring me humiliation.

They succeeded. I tucked myself into a shell of insecurity. Even when Liam kept reaching out, I just pushed him away.

I acted tough, but inside, I was the most cowardly, especially when it came to matters of the heart. I couldn’t bear to lose him, but I was also afraid of getting hurt, afraid I’d end up losing even this fragile connection between us.

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Ditch Fake Bond. She’s Tycoon Wolf Heiress