Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother

Victoria’s POV 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

I left the Sterling family estate, and Felix let the others leave as well. He followed behind me and asked, "Victoria, would you mind if we stopped by your place for some tea?"

"Not at all," I replied, my wolf Nora silently approving of the company.

Damien and Felix followed me home to my spacious villa in the exclusive Crescent Hills neighborhood. I brewed some Earl Grey tea and poured a cup for Felix. When Damien eyed the teapot expectantly, I couldn’t help but smirk.

"Pour your own," I said, feeling my wolf’s amusement bubble through me.

Damien reached for the teapot with those long fingers of his and poured himself a cup, making himself comfortable on my cream leather sofa as if he owned the place. The scent of smoky cedar that always clung to him began to permeate my living room, making my wolf stir with interest.

Grace pulled me aside into the kitchen, her blonde curls bouncing as she whispered urgently. I could still hear Felix’s low voice as he leaned toward Damien.

"So, how did I do back there?" Felix asked quietly.

Damien nodded, his expression serious. "Not bad."

"Right? That’s what I thought too. Can’t believe Patrick had the nerve to play innocent and target you like that. I don’t know what Victoria sees in him anyway. He doesn’t compare to you in any way—physically, financially, or otherwise."

Damien simply sipped his tea, his gray eyes giving nothing away.

After a brief conversation with Grace about the awkward encounter, we returned to the living room. I locked eyes with Damien and motioned with my finger. "You. Come here."

Damien stood with predatory grace and moved toward me, his tall frame towering over mine. The air between us crackled with tension.

"You’re the one who sent my grandfather away, aren’t you?" I asked, my voice low but firm.

Damien’s lips quirked up in a half-smile. He didn’t seem surprised that I’d figured it out. Nora purred with satisfaction at my deduction.

"What makes you think I had anything to do with it?" he asked, his voice a deep rumble that I felt in my chest.

"Grandfather leaves, and suddenly you stroll in without a care in the world? Who else could it be? You wouldn’t have dared come in without absolute certainty he wouldn’t return. You might not fear him, but you care about his health. Am I right?" I challenged, my pulse quickening as I stood my ground.

"You are," Damien admitted without hesitation, his eyes never leaving mine. "But don’t you think Patrick has ulterior motives? He deliberately purchased the house directly below yours. Doesn’t that tell you everything you need to know?"

I crossed my arms, feeling defensive. "I didn’t know he was buying here. I have no idea what his game is."

"Isn’t it obvious?" Damien’s voice dropped an octave. "He’s interested in you. He wants you."

I fell silent, my wolf growing restless at his words.

"What are your thoughts on that?" Damien’s intense gaze bored into me. "Please tell me your eyesight isn’t so poor that you’d actually be interested in Patrick."

The possessive edge in his voice made my skin tingle. Was he jealous?

"You make it sound like I fall for everyone I meet," I scoffed. "I’m not like you men who fall in love with every pretty face. Why would I need to be interested in anyone? Being on my own suits me just fine."

Something flickered in Damien’s eyes—relief? Disappointment? I couldn’t tell.

"What about me?" he asked suddenly, his voice barely audible.

My heart stuttered. "What about you?"

"I..." he hesitated, then seemed to think better of it. "I’m not like Patrick. You understand that, right?"

"Sure," I replied, trying to ignore how my wolf was practically crawling beneath my skin, desperate to get closer to him. "I understand."

Damien and Felix didn’t stay much longer after that. Once they left, Grace immediately pounced, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"My God, Victoria! This rivalry between these two alpha males is like something out of a historical drama! Ancient kings fought over kingdoms; these men are fighting over you. It’s quite the spectacle!"

"Grace, stop it," I groaned, though I couldn’t help the heat rising to my cheeks.

"I’m not making this up!" She grinned. "And every time I say something you deny, it turns out I’m right. Be honest with me—you’re choosing Damien, aren’t you?"

"What do you mean ’choosing’ Damien?" I asked, trying to keep my voice neutral.

Grace flopped dramatically onto my sofa. "I’m firmly Team Damien. When you two eventually get together, I demand a seat at the main table at your mating ceremony!"

I rolled my eyes, not wanting to think about mating ceremonies or the way Damien’s scent made my wolf whine with need.

"I need to consider buying another house," I said, changing the subject. "Do you know of anything available in your neighborhood?"

"I’ll ask around," Grace replied, reaching for her phone. "Any specific requirements?"

"Price isn’t an issue," I said, feeling my wolf’s approval at the idea of a fresh territory.

"That’s what I love about you, Ms. Lancaster—throwing around that alpha wealth!" Grace’s eyes sparkled as she looked at me admiringly. "Why don’t you just buy me instead?"

I laughed, feeling the tension drain from my shoulders. "Sure, I’ll keep you as my sugar baby."

"Alpha generosity at its finest! I’m officially your kept woman now," Grace declared with a dramatic bow.

I couldn’t help laughing. If I were a man, I would definitely claim someone like Grace as my mate. Having such a vibrant, adorable woman at home would make any wolf happy.

"Is Jacob still staying at your place?" I asked, referring to the youngest Gillies brother.

"No, he left days ago," Grace sighed. "He promised to help me win his brother’s heart, then disappeared the next day. Completely unreliable."

I tapped my fingers against my thigh, considering. "Mind if I stay at your place for a few days?"

"Of course not!" Grace jumped up, her energy infectious. "Let’s go right now!"

Grace was always happy to have me over. I wanted to avoid any awkward encounters with Patrick, and staying with Grace for a few days seemed like the perfect solution. My wolf agreed—we needed space to think, away from the scents of both men who were complicating my carefully planned life.

Patrick’s POV

My father’s call came when I was preparing for another "accidental" encounter with Victoria. His voice carried that familiar edge of frustration that had become more pronounced lately.

"Patrick, the board members are getting restless," he said without bothering with pleasantries. "You need to come back and handle these thorny situations. You’ve barely touched company affairs since you went to Crescent City."

I gazed out the window of my penthouse, watching Victoria’s sleek car pull into her driveway across the neighborhood. My wolf stirred within me, eager to be closer to her.

"Dad, I really can’t return right now," I replied, my fingers drumming against the windowsill. "I’m well aware of the company’s situation.

Everything I’m doing here is aimed at taking Wagner Enterprises to new heights." My lips curled into a confident smile. "Once Victoria and I are together, won’t everything the Lancasters own essentially become ours?"

I knew Victoria didn’t belong in the alpha. A wolf like her, with her delicate features and gentle nature, should be protected and cherished at home, caring for our future cubs and our den.

The idea of her wasting her days in boardrooms and business meetings seemed utterly wrong to me. It was a waste of her essence, a denial of her true feminine power.

True, she hadn’t shown any particular interest in me yet, but I was creating opportunities daily. A damsel in distress always needs her hero, and I was positioning myself to be exactly that. My wolf paced impatiently, eager for the chase.

"How’s your progress with her?" My father’s voice softened with interest. "Marrying the granddaughter of William Lancaster would certainly be a stroke of fortune for you."

I watched as Victoria disappeared into her house, her golden hair catching the late afternoon sun. "I’m making headway, Dad. I won’t let you down."

After hanging up, I leaned against the wall, letting myself indulge in thoughts of our future together. When Victoria and I became mates, she wouldn’t need to concern herself with business matters. She could return to being the carefree princess she was meant to be. I would pamper her, protect her, give her everything she deserved.

She clearly had no genuine interest in taking over her family’s company. Why else would she have spent years away from it all? My nostrils flared as I caught a faint trace of her sweet scent drifting through my open window. It called to me, a siren song promising domestic bliss.

This wasn’t about the Lancaster fortune. My family had wealth enough. It was about Victoria herself—her beauty, her grace, the way her scent drove my wolf wild. We were the perfect match for her, Arthur and I. If she missed this opportunity with us, she would regret it deeply for the rest of her life.

My mind drifted back to that summer when we were younger, before she hid her true nature. She had promised to be mine one day. I still remembered how her small hand had felt in mine, how her innocent eyes had looked up at me with such trust.

"You promised, Victoria," I whispered, my wolf’s eyes briefly flashing in the reflection of the window. "And wolves always keep their promises."