Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 140 Sorry, William

Victoria’s POV

Grace and I continued our shopping spree, bags swinging from our arms as we moved from boutique to boutique.

After hours of retail therapy, exhaustion finally caught up with us, and we settled into a cozy Italian restaurant downtown.

The rich aroma of garlic and herbs filled the air as we claimed a corner table away from prying eyes.

I had just taken my first bite of creamy fettuccine when my phone vibrated. William’s name flashed across the screen.

"Victoria, are you coming home for dinner tonight?" His deep voice carried that familiar warmth that always made my wolf Nora stir contentedly within me.

I knew Patrick Wagner was at William’s estate. The promising young Alpha from the neighboring territory had been making regular appearances lately—William’s not-so-subtle attempt at playing Cupid.

"Sorry, William," I replied, twirling pasta around my fork. "I’m already having dinner with Grace. We got caught up shopping downtown."

Worried he might think I was avoiding his dinner guest (which I absolutely was), I added, "Grace, say hello to William, will you?"

Grace leaned toward my phone, her blonde curls brushing against my shoulder. "Hello, Alpha William! I’m stealing Victoria for dinner tonight, but I promise to return her eventually." Her charm worked its magic, as always. I could practically hear William’s smile through the phone.

"In that case," he responded, "why don’t you both join me tomorrow evening? The house feels empty without my granddaughter."

I exchanged glances with Grace, giving her a subtle nod before she answered, "I’d be honored, sir. Looking forward to it."

After a few more pleasantries about enjoying our meal, I ended the call and took a sip of my wine.

Grace’s eyes sparkled like mischief itself. "You’re using me as a buffer against Patrick, aren’t you?"

"What? No," I protested weakly, but my wolf Nora let out a mental snort that betrayed my lie.

"Don’t give me that." Grace pointed her fork accusingly. "You’re absolutely avoiding him. I can smell the avoidance on you like cheap perfume."

I sighed, setting down my glass. "Fine. Yes, I’m avoiding Patrick. William is determined to match us, but Patrick and I... there’s just no connection there." My fingers traced the rim of my wine glass. "Plus, I’m not ready to start another relationship. The way he watches me makes my skin crawl—like I’m a prize trophy wolf to be claimed."

Grace tilted her head, her expression turning sly. "Is it that you’re not ready for any relationship, or just not ready for one with Patrick?"

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"I think you’re only averse to Patrick specifically." She took a deliberate sip of her wine. "If it were, say, Damien Sterling asking you to dinner, would you be this reluctant?"

"What does Damien have to do with anything?" My heart skipped traitorously at the mention of his name.

"Just answer the question, Victoria. If it were Damien instead of Patrick, would you be running in the opposite direction?"

I frowned, considering the question. I’d already had dinner alone with Damien—last night’s late supper flashed through my mind. The way his smoky cedar scent had wrapped around me, the ease of our conversation... it hadn’t felt uncomfortable at all.

With Damien, everything felt natural, like two equals sharing space. There was no pressure, no expectations—just conversation and occasional bickering that somehow felt like foreplay.

"Your silence speaks volumes," Grace smirked. "You didn’t even deny it."

"That’s not—I just didn’t respond yet," I stammered. "If Damien asked me to dinner right now, I’d refuse that too."

"Only because you’re already having dinner with me!" Grace laughed. "Admit it—you’re not against starting something new. You’re just waiting for the right Alpha."

"That’s ridiculous," I protested, but my mind was already wandering, imagining what a relationship with Damien might look like.

He was infuriating at times, with that knowing smirk and those piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me. But he was also undeniably compelling—tall, powerful, capable. When danger threatened, he moved with lethal precision. When he laughed, it transformed his entire face, making him look younger, more carefree.

But I couldn’t ignore the practical barriers between us. I was destined to lead the Crescent Dawn Pack as Alpha, not become someone’s Luna. Following my heart was one thing for casual dating, but a formal bond? With another Alpha? The political complications alone were daunting.

"Look at you," Grace teased, "moon-eyed about Mr. Tall, Dark and Brooding. A minute ago, you would have vehemently declared your dislike for any man with the Sterling name. Now you’re daydreaming! That tells me everything I need to know—you’ve got a thing for Damien."

"Grace, eat your food before it gets cold," I said, spearing a shrimp and placing it on her plate to distract her.

I wasn’t daydreaming about Damien Sterling. Not at all. I definitely wasn’t considering the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled genuinely, or how safe I’d felt when he’d stepped between me and danger. And I absolutely wasn’t thinking about that electric moment when our fingers had brushed as he’d handed me a drink.

Nora huffed in my mind, clearly disagreeing with my denial. Traitor.