Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 115 What did you find?

Author’s pov

The forensic team at the precinct confirmed what Damien had suspected - a total of five bullets had been extracted from Ethan’s body, and one of them didn’t match the caliber of Ethan’s own gun. This discovery shifted the entire investigation. Someone else had been present at that abandoned dock, someone armed and dangerous.

Victoria stood near the evidence table, her golden hair pulled back in a tight ponytail as she studied the bullet casings lined up for comparison. Her wolf, Nora, remained alert within her, sensing the gravity of the situation.

"This wasn’t just about Ethan trying to force a bond with me," she murmured, fingers hovering over the mismatched bullet. "Someone else was there."

Detective Reynolds nodded, his weathered face serious. "The abandoned dock isn’t monitored by security cameras, and Ethan’s decision to take you there was spontaneous. Whoever fired this bullet either followed you there or was already present for another reason."

"Either possibility is concerning," Victoria said, her voice steady despite the chill running down her spine.

Damien stood slightly apart from them, his tall frame imposing even in stillness. His wolf, Arthur, was restless beneath his skin, still agitated from the previous night’s events. His phone buzzed in his pocket - a message from Jeff Parker, his security specialist.

"If you’ll excuse me," he said, stepping away to take the call.

Once alone in the hallway, Damien’s expression darkened. "What did you find?"

Jeff’s voice came through clear and urgent. "That bullet is military-grade, part of a shipment that went missing from European forces last month. Intelligence suggests the Black Viper Pack got their hands on it - Howard Reiner’s operation."

Damien’s jaw tightened. Howard Reiner - the notorious Alpha of the Black Viper Pack, known across Europe as one of the most dangerous arms dealers in the supernatural world. His pack operated like a mafia organization, with tendrils reaching into legitimate businesses to mask their illegal activities.

"What would Reiner be doing at that dock?" Damien asked, though he was already piecing it together.

"Most likely an arms deal. The timing suggests your arrival with Victoria and the police interrupted whatever transaction was taking place."

Damien cursed under his breath. If they had inadvertently disrupted one of Reiner’s operations, the consequences could be severe. Howard Reiner was known for his ruthless retribution against anyone who interfered with his business.

"Keep digging," Damien ordered. "I want to know if this was coincidence or if Reiner has any connection to Victoria or the Crescent Dawn Pack."

Ending the call, Damien returned to find Victoria talking with her friend Grace, who had rushed to the station after hearing about the previous night’s events.

"Victoria!" Grace exclaimed, embracing her tightly. "You called me last night telling me to go to sleep while you were in actual danger! What kind of friendship is that?"

Victoria returned the hug, drawing comfort from her friend’s familiar scent of vanilla and citrus. "I’m fine, really. And I should actually be thanking you."

"Thanking me? For what?" Grace pulled back, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Wasn’t it you who called Damien?" Victoria asked. "If someone hadn’t alerted him, things might have ended very differently." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Grace shook her head. "That wasn’t me. I had no idea what was happening until this morning."

Victoria’s eyes found Damien’s across the room, a silent question in them. He merely shrugged, his expression unreadable.

"Well, whoever called him, I’m grateful," Victoria continued. "But now we need to make sure Ethan faces consequences. I’ve already filed charges, but with his injuries, he’ll likely be hospitalized before being extradited back home for trial."

Grace’s expression hardened, her wolf momentarily flashing in her eyes. "That man deserves more than prison after what he tried to do to you. The Sterling Pack will probably try to use their influence to get him released."

"They can try," Victoria said, a steely edge to her voice that reminded everyone present of her true nature as the heir to the Crescent Dawn Pack. "But my grandfather won’t let that happen. Neither will I."

Damien approached them, his smoky cedar scent washing over Victoria and making Nora stir within her. "I need to speak with you," he said quietly. "Privately."

In an empty conference room, Damien revealed what Jeff had told him about Howard Reiner and the Black Viper Pack.

"Howard Reiner?" Victoria’s eyes widened. "The European arms dealer? What would he be doing here?"

"Most likely conducting a weapons deal that we accidentally interrupted," Damien explained, leaning against the table. "The question is whether he knows who you are, and if he’ll seek retribution for the disruption."

Victoria considered this, her tactical mind working through the implications. "I’ve never had any dealings with him or his pack. The Crescent Dawn Pack has always avoided entanglements with criminal organizations."

"Reiner isn’t someone who cares about such distinctions," Damien warned. "He’s unpredictable and vindictive. This environment isn’t safe for you now. How much longer do you need to stay in the country for your business affairs?"

"I still have several meetings scheduled, contracts to finalize..." Victoria began, but she could see the genuine concern in Damien’s eyes. It was a look she wasn’t accustomed to seeing from him - usually his expressions around her were either mocking or deliberately sensual.

"I’ll be fine," she assured him. "I’ll hire additional security. You don’t need to delay your return home on my account."

"I have time," Damien said dismissively. His wolf, Arthur, rumbled in agreement, unwilling to leave their potential mate unprotected when a threat like Reiner might be lurking.

Victoria studied him, trying to understand his motivations. Why was he so concerned for her safety? Was this just another game, or something more?

Across town, in a luxurious penthouse suite overlooking the city, Howard Reiner lounged on a leather sofa. Despite his relaxed posture, his eyes held the cold calculation of a predator. At forty-five, he remained in his prime as an Alpha wolf - lean, powerful, and lethal.

A knock at the door preceded the entrance of one of his lieutenants. "Alpha, we have a problem. The authorities have discovered traces of our operation. They’re increasing security at all ports, which means our shipment may be compromised."

Another of Reiner’s men, seated nearby, frowned. "How did they discover us so quickly?"

"The bullet Alpha fired last night - forensics recovered it from the Sterling wolf’s body. But it wasn’t the police who made the connection. Our sources say it was Damien Sterling, also known as Ashrylus."

"Ashrylus..." Reiner repeated the name slowly, his fingers idly twisting the heavy silver ring on his thumb. The name belonged to the mysterious Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, whose true identity was one of the supernatural world’s best-kept secrets.

A cold smile played across Reiner’s lips, not reaching his eyes, which remained as emotionless as a snake’s. Even his own men couldn’t read his expression, couldn’t tell if he was angered or amused by this development.