Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress novel

Fading Into Blue by Austen 3 Summary Natalie confronts Nathan as he tries to slip past her, catching him firmly and noticing the scent of Aaliyah and Landon on him. Despite her disgust, she exerts her authority as his mother, physically disciplining him with a vine after he resists. Aaliyah protests, defending Nathan as a child, but Natalie coldly asserts her right to discipline him and challenges Aaliyah's maternal claim, causing visible distress. Landon intervenes gently, urging Natalie to stop, and she relents, leaving Nathan trembling and sobbing behind Aaliyah's protective presence.

Landon reflects on the situation, surprised by Natalie's unexpected fierceness and the power she seems to wield, which contrasts with the obedient pawn he thought she was. He recalls the complicated family dynamics involving Aaliyah's lower status and their secret soul bond, as well as his strategic choice of Natalie as a controllable assistant. Despite his unease, he resolves to maintain control for the upcoming company IPO, holding onto hope for the future with Aaliyah and Nathan.

Aaliyah seethes with anger and jealousy, viewing Natalie as an unworthy usurper who dared to strike her son and challenge her position. Though she knows Landon's heart belongs to her and their pureblood lineage secures their claim, she vows to wait patiently until she can remove Natalie from the picture, convinced that her time is nearly over. Later, Natalie surprises Landon by insisting on visiting a sought-after property alone, defying his plans to accompany her and control the transaction.

She subtly displays a newfound confidence and hints at a mysterious power linked to the Moon-Shadow Bloodline, unsettling Landon. Despite his attempts to maintain dominance, he senses a shift in Natalie's demeanor but reassures himself that Aaliyah remains his true mate, even as uncertainty gnaws at him. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Chapter 3: A Surprise Natalie's Perspective: "Wait." Just as Nathan attempted to slip past me, I sprang to my feet and caught his arm with a firm grip.

The unmistakable scent of Aaliyah and Landon clung to him-a pureblood aroma that churned my stomach-but the surge of power coursing through my veins gave me strength. I forced myself to block out the revulsion and dragged him effortlessly toward the wall. "Stand right there!" I commanded sharply. "Let me go, you horrible woman!" Nathan thrashed, baring his still-developing fangs in defiance. But I was no stranger to handling his tantrums. With a swift, practiced motion, I twisted his arms behind his back and slammed his face against the wall.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a thick, flexible vine draped over a nearby decorative vase-meant for flowers but perfect for what I needed. I seized it and swung it through the air. The vine struck Nathan's backside with a sharp crack. The sudden pain overwhelmed him, and he howled, a raw, earth-shaking wail. "Natalie! What are you doing?" Aaliyah's voice cut through the tension as she rushed over, her tone sharp and accusing. "Nathan already apologized! Why do you have to be so cruel?

He's still just a child!" I sidestepped her outstretched hands with ease, my grip on the vine unrelenting. It came down again with a stinging blow. "Ms. Cooper," I said icily, "Nathan is my son. As his mother, I have every right to discipline him." My words were a calculated jab, meant to strike where it hurt most. "You're so quick to defend him-it's almost like you're his real mother." Aaliyah's face drained of color. Her nails dug into her palms as if trying to hold back a scream. Her throat seemed to close up. "I...

I just think he's young, and it wasn't a major mistake." "Minor mistakes become major problems if left unchecked," I replied coldly. "I'm no expert in pup-rearing like you, Ms. Cooper, but for a cub who refuses to learn basic respect, pain is the only language he understands. Otherwise, he'll grow harder to control." My words silenced her entirely. Legally and morally, she had no grounds to interfere with a mother disciplining her disobedient son. Landon stood frozen, clearly stunned by my sudden severity. Usually, my discipline was limited to stern words-I had never struck Nathan before.

But his behavior was unacceptable. Still, under Aaliyah's anxious, pained gaze, Landon stepped forward and placed a hand gently on my wrist holding the vine. "Alright, Natalie. You've made your point. That's enough," he said softly, attempting to defuse the situation. His words rang true. Those few hard lashes had released a fraction of the anger and humiliation I'd been bottling up. I loosened my grip and dropped the vine to the floor. Nathan immediately cowered behind Aaliyah, trembling like a frightened animal. His sobs shook his small frame, and for once, he didn't even glare back at me.

Aaliyah's frown deepened, her rage simmering beneath the surface as she silently patted Nathan's back. I looked down at them both, my voice sharp and commanding, laced with an authority that brooked no argument. I even tapped into the Moon-Shadow Bloodline power within me-a force I barely controlled yet. "Nathan, listen carefully. As long as I am your legal mother, you will learn respect." I glanced at the vine lying on the floor and continued, "If you ever pull a stunt like that again, this will remind you of the rules." Nathan's sobs faltered under my gaze.

I turned away without another word, leaving the dining room with an icy resolve. Landon's Perspective: I stood there, stunned-seeing Natalie in this new light was like witnessing a stranger. I instinctively moved to follow her, but Aaliyah gripped my arm tightly. "Landon..." Her voice cracked with tears and deep sorrow, as though she had been gravely wronged and was nearing her breaking point. I watched Natalie's retreating figure, a strange unease settling in my chest. Something about her today was different.

The fierce determination in her eyes carried a weight I hadn't noticed before-a pressure reminiscent of a higher-ranked wolf. Impossible. She was only a low-level Beta. Aaliyah held onto my arm, her eyes brimming with hurt and tears that made my heart ache. I knew all she had endured. Years ago, my grandfather had vehemently opposed my bond with Aaliyah, claiming her lineage wasn't "pure" enough to benefit the Richardson family. I was young then, powerless against family expectations. Aaliyah lost her university professorship and had to reinvent herself as a pup development specialist.

I chose Natalie for two reasons: first, her beauty would appease the family; second, my research showed she was a low-level Beta, educated in human institutions. A top finance graduate from an elite university, she was capable but alone-easy to control, the perfect assistant and convenient façade. To comfort Aaliyah, we secretly completed our soul bond long ago. I promised her that once I secured full control of the Richardson family, she and Nathan would receive the status they deserved. Natalie was, from start to finish, just a pawn in our game. But now, that pawn was moving independently.

She demanded an outrageously expensive property and publicly disciplined Nathan with words sharp enough to cut. Had her werewolf bloodline finally awakened? Or had she uncovered something? I couldn't afford to panic. The company's IPO was imminent, and I still needed her. I hugged Aaliyah tightly, inhaling the calming, familiar scent of her Omega presence. "Just a little longer," I whispered, "for our future." Then I released her and hurried after Natalie, determined to steady the situation. Aaliyah's Perspective: Watching Landon pursue Natalie, I almost ground my teeth to dust.

A poisonous fury burned inside me. How dare she? She was nothing but a used-up tool, a lowly Beta. How dare she strike my son right before my eyes? How dare she speak with that tone, hinting at my place? I knew Landon loved me. We shared years of history, a soul bond, and a pureblood son. I was the rightful lady of the Richardson family. It was that damn old man and his stupid family rules standing in my way. And what was Natalie? Nothing. Just the cover we were forced to accept. Landon said he picked her because she was pretty and easy to control-a parentless orphan with some useful skills.

She didn't even have a proper blood contract with Landon. Everything he owned would someday belong to me and Nathan. Yet just now, she had looked at me with a cold, slightly scornful, almost pitying expression. Who did she think she was? No. I couldn't lose control. Landon's heart belonged to me. I only had to wait a little longer-wait for the IPO, for Landon to seize full power. Then Natalie would be cast out into the street, helpless and alone. I pulled Nathan closer as he sniffled softly. I felt the familiar resonance of his bloodline pulsing beneath the surface.

Swallowing my rising rage, I whispered, "Just you wait, Natalie. Your time is nearly over." Natalie's Perspective: Landon saw me open the car door and quickly masked his surprise, striding over with his usual confident air. He habitually moved to get in beside me-this was normally our routine when heading to the office. "Have your assistant drive you," I said flatly, avoiding his gaze. "I have an appointment with a real estate agent. I'm going to see the property." His eyes widened for a moment.

"But there's an important board meeting today." "The community I want is highly sought after," I interrupted, my tone firm and uncompromising. "If I don't go today, someone else will snatch it up." Turning my head, I offered a smile he knew well-the one he once thought was docile and harmless. "Don't you always say work never ends, and I should learn to treat myself and enjoy life?" My voice remained steady, my eyes carrying a faint, teasing smile. Yet, inexplicably, Landon's body stiffened almost imperceptibly. I caught a subtle scent of an Alpha's wariness-brief and fleeting.

He quickly recovered, smiling in his usual gentle way. "Alright. Then I'll skip the office today. I'll come with you." I knew his real motive: to keep an eye on the transaction, to ensure no large sums slipped beyond his control. Perhaps he also planned to manipulate the property title, putting it in both our names as "mates," a move that would ultimately benefit him and Aaliyah. "No need." My smile brightened. I turned and raised my index finger, tapping it lightly against his chest. I felt the firm muscle tense beneath my touch instantly. "I want to choose it myself.

Once I find the right one..." Chapter 3: A Surprise (continued) "...I'll bring you to see it. It'll be a surprise." My fingertip carried a faint trace of power-an unfamiliar, cool whisper of the Moon-Shadow Bloodline. Landon seemed momentarily off balance by my distant, teasing gesture. He reached to grasp my wrist and said, "A surprise for me?" "Of course." The curve of my lips didn't falter as I quickly pulled my hand back, as if it had been nothing more than a casual touch. "Alright.

I'll do as you say." His voice dropped into a low, indulgent tone as he squeezed my shoulder lightly in a familiar embrace. I fought back the wave of nausea rising from his touch and didn't pull away. The final confrontation was not yet at hand. Landon's Perspective: I watched as Natalie drove off, the smile vanishing from my face. I tugged irritably at my tie, unsettled. Was it my imagination, or had she changed? Was Aaliyah's presence stirring jealousy in her? Was it simply a woman's natural sensitivity? I should not be worried about her.

Because no matter what Natalie did, in my heart, my one and only true soul-bound mate remained Aaliyah. Conclusion This chapter delicately unveils the simmering tensions beneath the surface of complex relationships, where power, loyalty, and identity intertwine in a delicate dance. Natalie's unexpected display of authority and the awakening of her inner strength challenge the carefully constructed facades, forcing each character to confront uncomfortable truths about control and belonging.

The emotional turbulence experienced by Nathan, Aaliyah, and Landon reflects the fragile balance of love and ambition, underscoring the costs of secrecy and manipulation within their intertwined lives. As the chapter closes, a quiet yet palpable shift lingers in the air-Natalie's resolve marks the beginning of a subtle rebellion against the roles imposed upon her. While Landon clings to his past assurances and Aaliyah nurses her simmering resentment, the unfolding dynamics hint at inevitable change.

Will her growing resolve be enough to challenge the carefully constructed façades and manipulations surrounding her? Meanwhile, the simmering tensions between the characters are poised to erupt in ways that will test their bonds and ambitions. Landon's conflicted feelings and Aaliyah's simmering fury suggest that alliances may be fragile, and trust even more so. With the IPO looming and the stakes higher than ever, every decision carries weight, and every encounter pulses with unspoken threats.

Readers can anticipate a chapter rich with emotional complexity and the subtle dance of power that will keep hearts pounding and questions mounting. Lucia Morh Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she's not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.