Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress novel

Fading Into Blue by Austen 8 Summary Natalie reflects on her situation, realizing she has never experienced a true mate bond before and feels both free and vulnerable standing alone. She contrasts Leonardo Matthew, a powerful and influential figure, with Landon, who had used her through a fake contract and treated her as a pawn. Natalie understands that if she wants to claim the Alpha title and control the family legacy and business empire, she needs a strong ally like Leonardo.

The Moon-Shadowed Pack is full of hidden threats, and she is just a newly-awakened, mixed-blood "illegitimate daughter" with little support, so aligning with the Silver-Maned Pack is a strategic move rather than one of love. That evening, Natalie returns to the Richardson Estate to find Landon, Aaliyah, and Nathan absent, attending a private art exhibition. She notices missed calls and a message from Landon explaining the outing, which makes it easier for her to act. Quietly, she packs all her belongings with the help of servants, planning to move to a new penthouse in the financial district.

However, two important things are missing: her research manuscripts and core data notebooks, and the mathematical models and operational data she developed for the Richardson family's projects, likely taken or locked away by Landon. From Landon's perspective, he feels the weight of the day after taking Aaliyah and Nathan out to make up for his absence. He tries to reach Natalie, hoping for some comfort and cooperation for the company's IPO. Their phone conversation is tense but civil, with Natalie explaining her busy day and Landon expressing concern for her well-being.

The fragile calm is broken when Nathan interrupts, calling Natalie a "bad woman," and Landon ends the call abruptly, unable to have a proper conversation with the children present. The chapter highlights the growing tension and mistrust between Natalie and Landon, Natalie's strategic moves to secure her future, and the complex dynamics within the pack and family. Both characters are navigating personal and professional conflicts, setting the stage for further developments in their struggle for power and control.

Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Chapter 8: A Proper Ally Natalie's Perspective: I had never experienced a true mate bond before. Now, standing completely alone, I felt both free and vulnerable. The Leonardo Matthew had mentioned was leagues beyond that insincere Landon-his family background, his influence, and his capabilities far surpassed Landon's shallow facade. Landon had used me, binding me with a fake contract, treating me as nothing more than a stepping stone and a human shield in his schemes. But Leonardo?

If I could secure him as an ally, it wouldn't just be "a hundred times better"-he would be a powerful launchpad, catapulting me out of the swampy mess of my past and into the turbulent storms looming ahead. More than that, the Moon-Shadowed Pack was riddled with hidden threats. Penelope and Samuel were watching me closely, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I was just a newly-awakened, mixed-blood "illegitimate daughter" with no solid backing.

My willpower and the not-yet-fully-controlled Alpha bloodline inside me weren't enough to intimidate the cunning players lurking within the pack. If I truly wanted to claim the Alpha title and take control of the family's legacy and business empire, I needed a formidable ally. This marriage wasn't about love or passion-it was a calculated transaction, a strategic alliance. Gazing out the window, the city lights blurred past as I spoke quietly but with conviction, "If I fight alone, I'll be devoured by wolves. I need a proper ally.

The Silver-Maned Pack has chosen me-I must accept their strength. There's no reason to refuse." That evening, I returned to the suffocating Richardson Estate. As expected, Landon and Aaliyah were absent. The servants informed me that Landon had taken Aaliyah and Nathan to a private art exhibition in a nearby city-an event exclusive to high-ranking werewolf families. They wouldn't be back until late. Checking my phone, I noticed several missed calls from Landon earlier that afternoon. He had also sent a text: "Natalie, Nathan suddenly insisted on going to the New Moon Gallery exhibit with Ms.

Cooper. It's a long drive, so I went with them. I'll contact you later." How thoughtful of them-off on a happy family outing, yet still considerate enough to update me. Their absence made it easier for me to act. After reading the message, I summoned some of the servants to assist me in packing all my belongings from the room. "Mrs. Richardson, are you leaving for a long trip?" one curious servant asked, eyeing the careful way I wrapped my personal items. "Yes," I replied without looking up, organizing files from a drawer. "There's no need to inform Landon. He's been too busy lately.

Don't disturb him unless absolutely necessary." He was busy playing the role of the perfect husband and father, but those days were numbered. Before long, everything I owned was packed, boxed, and sealed. Late into the night, when the house was silent and the servants asleep, I quietly arranged for a moving company to transport all the boxes to my new penthouse in the bustling heart of the financial district. Yet, two crucial things were missing. First, my research manuscripts and core data notebooks-from graduation until now-were nowhere to be found.

These contained my unique analyses and predictions about werewolf economic models, proof of my academic and business acumen. They were always locked safely in my private bedroom drawer. Now, they had vanished. Landon was likely behind their disappearance. The second missing piece was the mathematical models and key operational data I had developed for several of the Richardson family's major projects. These were stored on encrypted servers at Landon's company, and with my current access, I had no way to retrieve them.

These were the fruits of my life's work-I couldn't let Landon steal them from me. Landon's Perspective: Driving back toward Maritime City along the highway, I massaged my temples, feeling the weight of the day. Taking Aaliyah and Nathan out yesterday had been partly to appease them, to make up for the time I'd been absent. Natalie hadn't replied to my messages, and I suspected she might be upset. That was understandable-and manageable.

A little comfort when I returned home would smooth things over, and she would understand my "difficult position." I still needed her cooperation for the company's upcoming IPO. I dialed her number, my voice calm and gentle. "Natalie, did you get my message from yesterday?" "Yes, I saw it," she answered, her tone flat and devoid of emotion. Relieved, I explained, "Sorry about that. It was a last-minute decision to go out, and I didn't have time to discuss it with you. But Ms.

Cooper was a guest, and I couldn't let her take Nathan on such a long trip alone-it wasn't safe." "Why apologize?" Her voice sounded a little lighter now. "It's only natural for you to accompany Ms. Cooper, isn't it?" I paused, caught off guard. Was I imagining things? Or was there a hint of sarcasm in her words? I pressed on, "Natalie, I noticed you didn't reply last night. I thought you might be..." "I was too busy yesterday," she interrupted, her tone casual. "I visited the new place, then met with some potential business partners.

It was back-to-back, so I didn't have time to check my phone." Not a trace of annoyance in her voice. The knot of worry in my chest loosened. "I knew you were busy. Don't overwork yourself-I worry about you," I said softly. Suddenly, Nathan's sharp voice cut through from the back seat. "Daddy! Don't talk to that bad woman!" Aaliyah quickly hushed him, but the moment broke the fragile calm. "I can't talk now. I'm still driving. See you tonight," I said hurriedly, ending the call before Natalie could respond. I couldn't have a proper conversation with her with Aaliyah and Nathan in the car.

Conclusion The chapter closes on a tense yet pivotal moment in Natalie's journey, highlighting her growing resolve to break free from the toxic ties that have bound her. Her decision to seek a powerful ally, rather than rely on the fragile and insincere connections of the past, marks a turning point in her emotional arc. Though the shadows of betrayal and loss linger, Natalie's quiet determination shines through, underscoring themes of empowerment, strategic survival, and the painful necessity of letting go.

Meanwhile, Landon's perspective hints at a brewing storm beneath his composed exterior. His interactions with Natalie reveal cracks in their relationship, and the presence of Aaliyah and Nathan adds an unpredictable element that could complicate matters further. The emotional undercurrents and unspoken resentments suggest that both characters are on the brink of pivotal decisions, setting the stage for confrontations and revelations that will challenge their loyalties and ambitions alike. 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.