Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 29

**Chapter 29: I Will Teach You**

**Natalie’s POV:**

“Why are you staring at me instead of eating?” Leonardo’s voice cut through my reverie, the deep timbre close enough to send a shiver down my spine.

I blinked, suddenly aware that my gaze had been fixed on him for far too long. A rush of warmth crept into my cheeks as I quickly looked away, mortified by my own lack of decorum.

The distance between us was almost nonexistent. Leonardo had discarded his suit jacket, revealing a casually unbuttoned shirt that framed the elegant lines of his neck and collarbones. Sitting beside him, I felt enveloped by an intense aura, one that spoke of dominance and power—a top predator in every sense. It was not merely the scent of a man, but the unmistakable presence of a werewolf Alpha, carrying with him the fresh aroma of cedar and the coolness of moonlight.

I turned my eyes downward, desperate to hide the way his presence ignited something primal within me.

“Mr. Sanchez, I didn’t expect to see you at tonight’s banquet,” I managed to say, striving for a calm tone that belied the fluttering in my chest.

Leonardo’s focus remained on his plate as he deftly sliced through the rare meat, a clear indication of his werewolf preference. Each movement was a study in fluidity, embodying a raw, predatory grace that both fascinated and intimidated me.

“Ten hours on the private jet,” he finally replied, his voice steady and devoid of any inflection. “But it was worth the trip. I heard a rather brilliant speech.”

His words were vague, yet the implication was unmistakable—he had come specifically for this occasion, and he had witnessed my speech. Did that mean he had also seen Eleanor’s earlier attempt to humiliate me over the seating arrangement?

As I replayed the memory of my speech in my mind, I felt a wave of self-doubt wash over me. To someone like him, I must have appeared like a child stumbling through their first steps, utterly out of my depth.

“Mr. Sanchez, I fear I did not present myself well,” I murmured, my fingers curling involuntarily as insecurity gnawed at me.

His movements halted. He turned to face me, his deep-set eyes catching the light in the banquet hall, revealing a fleeting glimmer of gold—a rare sign of emotional depth in a high-ranking werewolf. It was an unusual warmth, something I had not expected.

“No. You handled yourself very well just now,” he said, pausing thoughtfully before adding, “Better than I anticipated.”

His words carried weight, enough to suggest that he found my performance worthy of his attention, perhaps even intriguing enough to observe how I would react under pressure.

“Thank you,” I replied, feeling the heat rise in my ears. Why was he here? Surely a ten-hour flight couldn’t be solely for a banquet and a meal. Was it possible that my presence had drawn him here?

The thought sent my heart racing, but I quickly pushed it aside. We had only met once, and the discussion surrounding our “mate bond” was still in its infancy. There were no feelings involved—at least, that was what I told myself. His presence felt more like a declaration, a signal of his seriousness regarding this potential alliance, granting me a significant amount of respect in a world where I often felt like an outsider.

Yet, beneath the surface, an indescribable flutter stirred within me.

**Leonardo’s POV:**

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