Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 182 I’ll join you

Victoria’s POV

"Patrick!" Damian burst into the room, kicking Patrick away from me and positioning his towering frame between us. Patrick’s harassment had sent my heart racing, while Damian’s protection left me breathless.

"What the hell are you doing? Have you lost your mind?"

Damian’s imposing figure formed a barrier between Patrick and me.

Patrick glared at Damian with razor-sharp eyes. "This is between Victoria and me. It’s none of your business!"

"How is this not my business?" Damian roared, his voice dropping to that dangerous Alpha tone that sent goosebumps racing across my skin. "She’s mine!"

I could feel the tension radiating from Damian. If he’d arrived any later... The thought of what Patrick might have done made me shudder.

"Don’t pretend you’re any different from me," Patrick snarled. "Victoria, you can’t trust him. Men like us—"

I couldn’t bear to look at Patrick anymore. Someone I’d once considered a friend now seemed like a stranger—mentally unhinged and dangerous.

My wolf nature urged me to confront him, to put him in his place, but I restrained the impulse.

"Patrick, we shouldn’t see each other anymore." My voice was calmer than expected, considering the turmoil churning within me.

Without waiting for his response, I turned and walked out, Nora’s approval echoing in my chest. The farther I got from Patrick, the clearer my head became.

Behind me, I heard Damian’s threatening growl: "If you ever lay another finger on Victoria, you’ll have more than the Sterling family to worry about—I’ll kill you myself."

I quickened my pace toward my apartment, needing the safety of familiar territory. The comforting scent of home greeted me as I closed the door and leaned against it, taking several deep breaths.

Moments later, thunderous knocking echoed through my apartment.

"Victoria! Victoria!" Damian’s voice carried from the hallway, his fists pounding my door with such force that the hinges creaked.

The intensity of his knocking made me wonder if he thought I might harm myself. The idea was absurd—I’d faced far worse troubles than Patrick Wagner’s harassment.

"Victoria!" He continued his relentless assault on my door, clearly not planning to leave until I opened it.

I steadied myself and walked to the door, pulling it open. "What? Can’t you let me have a moment’s peace?"

"I was worried about you." He said it so directly it caught me off guard. No jokes, no witty remarks—just genuine concern shining in those deep blue eyes.

"There’s nothing to worry about. I’m fine, see?" I gestured to myself, trying to sound casual though I wasn’t entirely feeling it. "Actually, I should be celebrating. Now I know Patrick’s leg was never injured. The truth is finally out, and I don’t have to feel guilty about him anymore. I’m relieved."

I forced a smile, but it felt as stiff as stone. Deep down, the pain of betrayal cut deeper than I cared to admit. I’d thought Patrick was my friend, someone I could trust. I’d been so terribly wrong.

"Since you’re celebrating, I’ll join you." Damian walked into my apartment without waiting for an invitation.

"Hey! Make yourself at home, why don’t you!" I rolled my eyes but didn’t stop him. My wolf seemed to enjoy his presence, which annoyed me further.

"Since I helped expose the truth, don’t you think I deserve some gratitude?" Damian asked, that arrogant smile playing at his lips—both infuriating and captivating.

"What kind of gratitude did you have in mind?" I crossed my arms, already guessing his answer.

Damian stroked his chin thoughtfully, his gaze never leaving me. "You know, I have everything a man could want—except a girlfriend."

"Don’t be ridiculous." His words made my traitorous heart race, betraying my attempt to appear indifferent.

"I’m not being ridiculous. I’ve given you a month to consider our relationship. That’s long enough. What’s your answer?"

His piercing gaze seemed to pin me in place, demanding honesty.

If I claimed I felt nothing for Damian, it would be an absolute lie. These past weeks together, I’d found myself falling for him all too easily, and the feeling was dangerously overwhelming.

But being together wasn’t as simple as our mutual attraction.

Though earlier, when negotiating with grandfather, I’d been so confident.

But facing this moment, I felt so cowardly.

I desperately wanted to tell him yes.

I wanted to be with him without reservation.

But... I couldn’t.

After intense internal struggle, I still couldn’t overcome my cowardice and the shackles of my position.

In the end, I chose to give up.

"Damian, I’ve thought it over carefully." I bit my lip, gathering courage for what I was about to say.

"And?" He stepped closer, his smile brightening. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

I stepped back, creating distance between us. "I don’t want to be with you. I’m sorry."

"What?" His smile froze, then vanished.

The flash of hurt across his face made my chest tighten. I hadn’t expected rejection to visibly wound him so clearly.

"Why? What are your concerns? You can tell me." he asked.

"There’s always a reason. Is it Ethan? Or Patrick?" His voice hardened, his Alpha aura intensifying until it seemed to permeate the air.

"This has nothing to do with anyone else." I forced myself to meet his gaze, though it was painful. "Maybe I just don’t like you."

In my most nervous moment, I chose the clumsiest lie.

"You don’t like me?" Damian laughed coldly, his tone bitter. "How ridiculous."

He stepped closer, towering over me. "Victoria, if you didn’t like me, you would have rejected me immediately. Why string me along? Remember that night at the club when you approached me first?"

My wolf whimpered at his accususing tone, at the pain hidden beneath his anger.

"If you feel nothing for me, why did you agree to sleep with me again and again?" His voice rose, gradually losing control.

"We’re both adults with physical needs," I said bluntly. "You’re attractive and good in bed. It was mutually satisfying. I didn’t think you’d read so much into it."

"Mutually satisfying?" he repeated, his laugh harsh and humorless. "So you’re saying you feel nothing for me, but you’d still sleep with me? Is that it?"

Before I could respond, he crossed the distance between us in two strides. One strong arm circled my waist while the other lifted my chin.

His lips crashed down with brutal force—completely different from our previous passionate yet tender kisses. This kiss was full of anger, dominance, and punishment.

I tried to push him away, but he was too strong, his powerful body pinning me against the wall. "Stop—let me go!"

Instead, he kissed me harder, his tongue forcing its way past my lips. His intoxicating scent—that blend of smoky cedar and midnight roses—completely overwhelmed my senses, making me lose control.

"Damian, calm down!" My voice was muffled against his demanding lips. His arms held me completely captive, his entire being radiating heat and fury. The crimson flashing in his eyes told me his wolf was about to emerge—Arthur was angry, and when an Alpha wolf’s nature exploded, things could become very dangerous very quickly.