Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 101 You lied to me

Victoria’s POV

As Patrick and Damien stood facing each other like two predators sizing up territory, I walked back toward them, confusion evident on my face.

"Damien," I called out, my voice carrying across the polished marble floor. "You lied to me. Joseph says he never asked to see me."

Damien’s intense gaze shifted from Patrick to me, his expression softening slightly. "Did he? Perhaps I misheard."

The tension between the two Alpha males was palpable, making the air around us feel charged with unspoken challenge. My wolf, Nora, stirred uneasily inside me, sensing the territorial display.

"What are you two discussing?" I asked, glancing between them. Something felt off about their interaction—that unmistakable Alpha-to-Alpha hostility that made other wolves give them a wide berth.

Before Patrick could answer, Damien spoke, his deep voice tinged with accusation. "Patrick here was telling me how much you dislike me. Apparently, you barely know me, find me annoying, and generally can’t stand my presence."

I blinked in surprise. "What? When did I ever say anything like that?"

The conversation I’d had with Patrick about Damien had been quite the opposite. I’d mentioned that despite Damien’s cold exterior and the rumors that surrounded him, he was actually decent—nothing like the heartless Alpha most wolves believed him to be.

I would swear on my position as future Alpha of the Crescent Dawn Pack that I had never spoken ill of Damien Sterling.

Damien shrugged, the movement elegant despite his imposing frame. "Don’t ask me. Those were his words, not mine." His smoky cedar scent intensified slightly with satisfaction as he deflected the blame back to Patrick.

Patrick’s expression tightened. He clearly hadn’t expected me to return so quickly, nor for Damien to expose his fabrication so bluntly. The awkwardness was evident in his posture as he struggled to maintain his composure.

"I was just joking with Damien," Patrick finally said, his voice straining for lightness. "We were having a bit of fun."

"Spreading false information about what Victoria supposedly said behind her back isn’t my definition of fun," Damien countered, his voice dropping to that dangerous tone that made lesser wolves submit instantly. "You might have known her since childhood, but people change. Some friendships aren’t what they appear to be. Some allies will smile to your face while positioning the knife for your back."

The accusation made Patrick’s face darken, his wolf clearly bristling beneath the surface. "It was a harmless joke that Sterling has blown out of proportion," he insisted, turning to me. "Victoria, we’ve known each other for years. You know I would never betray your trust."

I could feel the tension escalating between them. This was Joseph Miller’s gala—an important human ally to my grandfather’s pack. The last thing we needed was two powerful Alphas causing a scene.

"Enough, both of you," I said firmly, letting a hint of my own Alpha authority filter through despite the suppressing charm bracelet I wore. "This is Joseph’s event. Show some respect."

I reached for Damien’s arm, pulling him slightly away from Patrick. "Come with me. What’s going on with you?"

Damien’s eyes remained fixed on Patrick even as I led him away. "Why am I the only one getting lectured? He started this."

"I haven’t lectured you yet," I pointed out. "I’m just asking what’s happening. Why are you picking fights with Patrick? He’s just an old friend. Don’t antagonize him unnecessarily."

"Just a friend?" Damien’s jaw tightened. "And what am I to you? Between him and me, who matters more to you, Victoria?"

The unexpected question—almost childish in its directness—made me laugh out loud. The sound seemed to drain the anger from Damien instantly, his rigid posture softening as confusion replaced irritation in his eyes.

"What’s so funny?" he asked.

"You sound like a grade-schooler," I said, still smiling. "The great Damien Sterling, feared Alpha businessman, and here you are acting like a jealous child on a playground. I never thought I’d see this side of you."

"I am not acting childishly," he protested, drawing himself up to his full height. "How is concern for your judgment childish?"

"Isn’t it? This isn’t kindergarten where it’s either him or you. Patrick is just a childhood friend. Why are you so worked up?" I studied his expression carefully, enjoying the way his usual mask of indifference had slipped. "Could it be that you’re jealous?"

Damien turned his face away, but not before I caught the slight widening of his eyes. "Jealous? That’s absurd. I’m concerned you’ll be fooled again, like with Ethan. That man isn’t what he seems. Can’t you sense it?"

"He’s just a friend," I repeated, then added with a hint of challenge, "Besides, weren’t you chatting quite happily with that female wolf earlier? The one who couldn’t stop batting her eyelashes at you?"

"When was I chatting happily with any female?" he asked, genuinely perplexed.

"See? That’s just like a male wolf," I said with a cold laugh. "You can flirt with other females all night, but heaven forbid I have a simple conversation with another male."

The conversation was taking an uncomfortable turn. Grace must have sensed it from across the room because she appeared at my side moments later.

"Is everything okay here?" she asked, glancing between Damien and me with concern.

"Everything’s fine," I said quickly, taking Grace’s arm. "Come on, let’s get some air."

I led Grace away without another glance at Damien, needing space to clear my head. Nora was unsettled within me, not liking how we’d left things with him.

"Were you two fighting?" Grace asked once we were a safe distance away.

"Not fighting, just... disagreeing," I replied. "Nothing serious."

Grace looked unconvinced. "When you were talking with Patrick, Damien couldn’t take his eyes off you two. I swear his wolf was about to surface. If that’s not jealousy, I don’t know what is. Victoria, do you think he might have feelings for you?"

"Grace!" I exclaimed, shaking my head. "That’s ridiculous. Why would he have feelings for me? He practically said himself he wasn’t jealous. He just thinks I’m naive and stupid—probably like most of these high-ranking Alphas think about everyone else. Let’s drop it. I’m not going to waste energy thinking about Damien Sterling’s moods."

"Alright, alright," Grace conceded, tugging me toward the dessert table. "Let’s get something sweet. Sugar fixes everything."

I sampled a small cake, finding it almost too sweet but delicious nonetheless. The rich flavor helped soothe my irritation.

"When are you going to have some free time?" Grace asked. "We should go to the beach together."

"How about tomorrow? My schedule’s clear then," I offered, glad for the change of subject.

"Perfect! Wait until you see the gear I’ve prepared for you!"

"What gear?" I asked curiously.

"Swimwear, of course," Grace said with obvious pride. "I designed it myself. You’re going to look amazing!"

The mention of swimwear instantly reminded me of the lingerie Grace had given me previously—and how Damien had handled it that night in my apartment, his fingers tracing the delicate fabric while his eyes darkened with something primal. The memory sent unexpected heat to my cheeks.

"Victoria, why are you blushing?" Grace asked, peering at my face.

"I’m not. It’s just warm in here," I said quickly, fanning myself.

Grace nodded. "It is getting stuffy. Probably from all these wolves packed into one room."

The gala was winding down. Before it officially ended, Grace and I decided to leave early. I deliberately avoided looking for Damien as we made our exit, though Nora whined in protest within me.

Back at home, Grace carefully washed Brian’s jacket, removing all traces of wine before drying it thoroughly. Once it was clean and warm from the dryer, she held it to her face and inhaled deeply.

"It smells just like Brian," she sighed dreamily.

I couldn’t help teasing her. "After all that washing and drying? That’s definitely the laundry detergent you’re smelling."

Grace clutched the jacket protectively to her chest, her eyes sparkling with that unmistakable look wolves get when they’ve found their potential mate. "You wouldn’t understand. When it’s your mate’s scent, you just know."