Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress novel

Fading Into Blue by Austen 35 Summary In Chapter 35 of "Fading Into Blue," titled "Reunion," Natalie grapples with the emotional fallout of her recent separation from Landon, as she discovers that Aaliyah has been introduced into their workplace. This revelation stirs feelings of betrayal and anger within her, as she realizes Landon's transparent attempt to provoke her. Despite her frustration, Natalie resolves to assert her presence at the Elder Council meeting, determined to reclaim her rightful place among the pure-blooded werewolves who have long looked down upon her as a half-blood.

The chapter captures Natalie's internal struggle as she navigates the complexities of her father's legacy and the hostile environment of the Elder Council. She faces relentless challenges from the council members, who aim to undermine her confidence and authority. After a taxing day, she receives a message from her old college friend, Alice, inviting her to a class reunion. The nostalgia of their carefree college days prompts Natalie to agree to attend, seeking a brief escape from her current troubles.

At the reunion, Natalie is greeted warmly by Alice, who has transformed into a confident woman since their college days. Their joyful reunion is overshadowed by the probing questions of their old classmates, who are eager to know about Natalie's life as Landon's "mate." The atmosphere becomes tense as they expect her to share details of a glamorous life, but Natalie feels the weight of their judgment and the pressure to conform to their expectations.

The situation escalates when a classmate, Rebecca, makes a cutting remark about Natalie's status as a backup choice for Landon, shattering the light-hearted mood and exposing the underlying tensions. This comment leaves Natalie feeling isolated and judged, as the room falls silent and the camaraderie dissipates. The chapter ends on a note of uncertainty, highlighting Natalie's struggle to navigate her identity and the perceptions of those around her in the wake of her complicated relationship with Landon.

Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below **Chapter 35: Reunion** **Natalie's POV:** My phone lit up, its screen flashing a notification from the company system. Aaliyah was the new addition to my department. For a moment, I froze, a mocking smile creeping onto my lips. Landon just couldn't help himself, could he? I had barely been on "leave" for a handful of days, and already he was introducing Aaliyah into our workplace. Did he think he would crumble if he didn't have women managing things and generating income for him? His intentions were transparent.

He was likely trying to provoke me, hoping to ignite a fire of anger that would compel me to rush back and defend that pitiful, fabricated "mate" status he had bestowed upon me. But I wasn't about to fall into his trap. "Ms. Scott, you've completed the inspection of the Scott family's territory and assets within the Moon-Shadowed Pack. Are you still planning to attend the Elder Council meeting later?" The voice of my assistant jolted me back to reality, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts.

Alexander, my biological father and the Alpha of the Moon-Shadowed Pack, had left behind a legacy that was both vast and complicated. Yet, the true power lay firmly in the hands of Penelope, my father's chosen mate. The Elder Council was filled with her loyal supporters, and I knew they would not make my life easy. But I had to go. "Absolutely, I'll be there," I replied, a sense of determination rising within me.

I needed to assert my presence, to show those arrogant pure-blooded werewolves that I, the half-blood they so disdainfully looked down upon, was back and ready to reclaim what was rightfully mine. The entire day spent at the Elder Council felt like an intense duel of wits. Those old men were relentless, pulling out every trick in the book to make my life miserable. Thankfully, I had prepared extensively; otherwise, they would have devoured me whole. As dusk settled, I trudged back home, my body weary from the mental battles I had fought. Suddenly, my phone buzzed again.

The name that flashed on the screen was one I had nearly forgotten-Alice Summers. During our college years, we had been inseparable. We had shared a dorm room, worked part-time jobs side by side, and crammed for exams together, making naive promises to always support one another, no matter what. After graduation, Alice had taken off overseas to work for a werewolf-run company, while I had remained behind, playing the role of Landon's compliant, behind-the-scenes "mate." Alice's message read that she had just returned and was only in town for a single night.

She was attending a class reunion and practically begged me to join her. As I reminisced about those carefree college days, when our biggest worries had been passing our classes and proving ourselves, a wave of warm nostalgia washed over me. In the end, I agreed to go. The reunion was set to take place at a trendy music lounge downtown. When I pushed open the door to the private room, I was met with a lively crowd. The air was thick with a cocktail of pheromones-Alpha's boldness, Beta's calmness, and even a hint of Omega's sweetness.

Alice spotted me from across the room and bounded over, wrapping me in a tight embrace. "Natalie! I've missed you so much!" Her excitement was infectious, and her pheromones radiated genuine joy. "Alice, you look incredible!" I exclaimed, returning her hug, truly impressed by her transformation. She had once been shy and awkward, but now she exuded confidence, like a seasoned professional ready to take on the world. "You bet I have!" she beamed, pulling me down to sit beside her. "Wow, you're even more stunning.

Is it the soul-bound thing?" There was a teasing glint in her eyes, and I could sense the playful nature behind her words. For a brief moment, my smile faltered. Soul-bound? All Landon and I had was a meaningless mate certificate and six years of deception. Before I could respond, old classmates began to swarm around me. I had been a star student and the belle of the campus back in our school days. My well-publicized "romance" with Landon had captivated everyone's attention, and they were eager to know how the "lucky woman who married into wealth" was faring. "Come on, Natalie!

Share the details of your blissful life with us. Being Landon's wife and an Alpha's chosen one must be a walk in the park, right?" one of them teased, a smirk playing on their lips. "Hey, where's Landon? Natalie, you left your Alpha behind! Go fetch him!" another chimed in, their tone light but the underlying judgment unmistakable. The atmosphere was thick with curiosity and an almost imperceptible judgment. I could feel the unspoken anticipation of my potential failure hanging in the air.

Just as I grappled with how to deflect their probing questions, a voice cut through the chatter like a sharp knife. "I bet being a rich man's wife isn't all that glamorous, especially if you were just the backup choice." The room fell silent in an instant. All eyes turned to the source of the comment-Rebecca Jones. Her face was vaguely familiar; she had been a student Aaliyah once taught and was in Landon's class. Her pheromones dripped with an over-the-top, forced Alpha aggression that I found utterly unconvincing.

Her words hit the room like a bombshell, shattering the light-hearted atmosphere that had enveloped us just moments before. The classmates who had been engaged in cheerful conversation suddenly averted their gazes, as if they were hiding a dirty secret from me. The atmosphere turned frigid, the warmth of camaraderie replaced by a chilling silence. Conclusion As I stood there, the weight of Rebecca's words crashing over me like a tidal wave, I felt the fragile facade of my life unravel.

The laughter and excitement that had filled the room moments before were now replaced by an uncomfortable tension, and I realized that the carefully constructed image of my life as Landon's "chosen one" was nothing more than a brittle veneer. In that instant, I was reminded that I had spent years trying to fit into a role that was never truly mine, a role that had kept me shackled to a past I desperately wanted to escape.

But standing there, surrounded by familiar faces, I felt a flicker of defiance ignite within me-a determination to reclaim my narrative, to redefine who I was beyond the shadows of others. With Alice by my side, her unwavering support a balm for my bruised spirit, I took a deep breath and straightened my shoulders. I was no longer the timid girl who had once sought validation from the crowd; I was Natalie, a half-blood with a legacy to uphold and a future to forge. The reunion, initially a source of anxiety, transformed into an opportunity for empowerment.

Moreover, Alice's return is sure to bring unexpected revelations. Will she offer Natalie the support she desperately needs, or will her presence complicate matters further? With Alice's newfound confidence and the promise of rekindling their bond, the chapter will delve deeper into the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and the harsh truths of their past. As Natalie grapples with her identity and the expectations placed upon her, readers will be left wondering if she will reclaim her voice and assert her worth in a world that seems determined to undermine her.