Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2: My Smile Unwavering

The sight of Natalie brusquely pushing me aside and striding toward the car alone stirred a flicker of impatience deep within me. She was blowing things out of proportion today. After all, it was nothing more than a minor fender bender. Perhaps it was her newly awakened, still unstable bloodline acting up again?

I had to keep her grounded. Aaliyah and Nathan were still at home, and I needed Natalie to accept Aaliyah’s presence there. With the company’s IPO looming on the horizon, it was crucial she continued playing her role as the flawless “Mrs. Richardson.” I just had to maintain control until everything was settled. Then, finally, Aaliyah and Nathan could step into the light without fear.

Aaliyah’s Perspective:

Standing in the grand, lavish hall of the Richardson Estate, I felt Nathan’s small hand clutch mine with a dependence that made my heart flutter with a thrilling mixture of excitement and anticipation. Soon, this charade would end. Landon and I had concealed our relationship for five long years. Glancing at Natalie’s face, desperately trying to mask her turmoil with a calm façade, I couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

How could she possibly deserve to stand by Landon’s side? Soon, everything here—my man and my child—would rightfully be mine. She was nothing more than a stumbling block in our perfect plan, destined to be swept aside. The familiar pulse of bloodline resonance from Nathan filled me with a quiet satisfaction, barely allowing me to suppress the smile tugging at my lips. Let’s see how long she can keep up that cold, distant act!

Nathan’s Perspective:

I hated that woman named Natalie. She wasn’t my mommy—Ms. Cooper was my real mommy. Daddy said I couldn’t call her Mommy outside, but Ms. Cooper couldn’t live with us all the time.

Today, Daddy said Ms. Cooper could stay. I was so happy. But that mean woman didn’t say anything. She definitely didn’t want Ms. Cooper to stay. That made me mad. I wanted her to go away. So, I threw my juice on her. She looked all wet and funny. But Daddy and Ms. Cooper would protect me. She was the bad one.

Natalie’s Perspective:

The cold, sticky juice trickled down my face and tangled in my hair. Immediately, the servants swarmed around me in a flurry, trying to help wipe it away.

“Nathan!” Landon’s voice rang out, thick with an Alpha’s fury that seemed to make the very air tremble. Startled, Nathan flinched and scurried upstairs like a frightened rabbit.

Landon moved to follow, but Aaliyah rose swiftly and intercepted him. Her voice was syrupy sweet. “Landon, he’s just a child. His mind isn’t fully developed yet. You can’t use force to teach him. Let me check on him.”

After speaking, her eyes flickered over my disheveled appearance. She hesitated for a moment, then turned and followed Landon upstairs.

Finally, Landon redirected his attention to me, his tone heavy with feigned concern. “Are you okay? Let me see.” Though I had roughly wiped myself with a towel a servant handed me, he reached out to touch my face.

“It’s dirty. Don’t touch me!” I snapped, stepping back to avoid his hand. It wasn’t just the juice—it was a visceral revulsion to his touch.

My words carried a double meaning he failed to grasp. Misreading me, his eyes filled with that nauseating, rehearsed tenderness he always wore like a mask.

“How could I ever find you dirty? I only feel sorry for you.” He sighed, pretending deep regret. “If I’d known Nathan would be so unruly, I never should have let you take care of him personally.”

I offered a faint, cold, mocking smile. “True. If his real mother were raising him, she’d surely do a better job than a foster mother like me. But his birth mother is probably gone, right? Otherwise, why would it fall to someone like me—who doesn’t know how to handle children—to manage him?”

Landon stiffened visibly for a moment, his face freezing before he smoothed it over. “What nonsense are you talking about? We adopted Nathan from an orphanage. You’re his only mother.” As he spoke, he tried to ruffle my hair in that old, affectionate way he used to, attempting to lighten the mood.

I jerked my head away sharply. That familiar gesture now only made my skin crawl. “I’m going to my room to shower.”

Back in the bedroom, I headed straight for the bathroom and allowed the hot water to wash over me in a long, cleansing shower. After some time, Landon entered, his main goal still clear: to convince me to accept Aaliyah staying.

He called it a discussion, but I knew I had no real choice. They were the true soul-bound mates. I was merely the counterfeit, brought in to deceive everyone.

“The company is at a critical stage for the IPO. Nathan needs supervision, and the company still needs your help. Ms. Cooper is a renowned pup education expert now, and you saw how well Nathan listens to her,” he droned on, listing all the supposed “benefits.”

“Fine. It’s settled then,” I cut him off, unable to stomach any more of his sickening lies.

Landon looked surprised by my quick agreement. A pool of fake tenderness instantly softened his eyes. “Natalie, I knew it. You’re always so understanding. You know how much I care for you.” Seeing the matter settled, he stood and tried to wrap his arm around my waist.

I immediately turned away, holding my phone screen up before his face. It displayed a sleek, modern residential building located in the heart of the financial district—the very hub of werewolf commerce and power.

Land prices there were astronomical, making the building an exceptionally valuable investment. Besides, it was far more modern than the traditional, status-heavy estate we currently lived in.

“Landon, what do you think of this place?” I asked.

He studied the image carefully and nodded. “It’s excellent, of course. Cutting-edge design and prime location—it’s a top-tier asset.”

“My birthday is next month. I really like this place. Could you buy it for me as a birthday gift?” I offered the sweetest, softest smile I could muster.

Landon had deceived me for two years. What had I lost? Not just time, but my career and independence. I had sacrificed overseas study opportunities and offers from top multinational corporations to help him save his failing family business.

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