Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 215 What was that noise?

Victoria’s POV

There was a sudden noise in my room.

This made me nervous because I know the sound is coming from Damian.I could clearly hear Grandfather’s footsteps pause outside my bedroom door. My heart nearly stopped.

"What was that noise? I’ll go check," he called out, his footsteps already heading toward my bedroom.

Panic surged through me. Damien was still in my bedroom—the same Damien Sterling my grandfather had just spent fifteen minutes criticizing over breakfast. If Grandfather found him here, I’d never hear the end of it.

I rushed forward, practically throwing myself between Grandfather and my bedroom door. "It’s nothing, Grandfather! Probably just something fell over. I’ll check it myself—you should sit back down and finish your coffee."

I gently guided him back to his seat, my heart hammering against my ribcage. Once he was settled, I hurried back to my bedroom, slipping inside and closing the door behind me.

Damien sat casually on my bed, his dark eyes fixed on me with that intensity that always made my wolf, Nora, stir beneath my skin.

"What are you doing?" I hissed. "I told you to stay quiet! Grandfather sensed something was wrong."

Damien’s gaze was steady, but I could see the tension in his jaw. "Your grandfather doesn’t like me."

My stomach dropped. "You heard what he said?" I moved closer, lowering my voice. "Don’t take it personally. He doesn’t really know you, or the Sterling pack beyond the rumors. He’s just being protective. Once he gets to know you, he’ll change his mind."

Damien shook his head slightly, a shadow crossing his face. "Perhaps your grandfather will never change his opinion of me."

I stared at him, sudden fear gripping me. "What are you saying? That you want to break up with me?"

"Absolutely not." The force in his voice made me step back. His eyes flashed with a possessive gleam that sent a shiver down my spine. "I would never let you go, Victoria. Never."

The fervor in his voice both thrilled and surprised me. For all his usual composed demeanor, Damien could be intensely passionate when it came to our relationship.

"Then stop overthinking it," I whispered, reaching for his hand.

A soft knock on my door made me freeze.

"Victoria? Is everything alright in there? You’ve been gone quite a while," Grandfather called through the door.

I’d completely lost track of time talking to Damien. Panic flashed through me again as I shoved Damien toward my bathroom, pressing a finger to my lips in a desperate "shh" gesture. If Grandfather discovered him here, all hell would break loose.

Once Damien was safely hidden, I opened my bedroom door, forcing a casual smile. "Sorry, Grandfather! Just had to use the bathroom."

To my horror, Grandfather stepped into my room. "Perfect timing. I need to use one too. I’ll just use yours."

My blood ran cold. Damien was hiding in that very bathroom!

"Grandfather!" I practically shouted, grabbing his arm. "The... the bathroom in here isn’t working properly. I’ve been meaning to call someone to fix it. Use the one in the hallway—it’s much better."

I gently but firmly steered him out of my bedroom, my heart racing so loudly I was certain he could hear it. Grandfather didn’t seem suspicious as he allowed me to guide him to the hallway bathroom. Once he was inside, I exhaled shakily.

That was too close. I glanced back at my bedroom door, wondering if there was anything incriminating lying around—like Damien’s clothes or belongings. Grandfather was shrewd; he’d notice anything out of place immediately.

I needed to get Grandfather out of the house to give Damien a chance to escape.

After breakfast, I turned to Grandfather with my most innocent smile. "Let me change clothes quickly, then I’ll drive you back to your estate. I can stay for lunch if you’d like?"

"That sounds wonderful," he agreed, and I felt relief wash over me.

I hurried back to my bedroom, locking the door behind me. Damien emerged from the bathroom, his tall frame filling the doorway.

"I’ll take Grandfather back to his estate," I explained quickly, moving to my closet. "Once we’re gone, you can leave. There’s breakfast on the table—I barely touched mine. Please help yourself before you go."

"So you’re staying at your grandfather’s tonight?" Damien asked, his voice carefully neutral.

I hadn’t thought that far ahead. "I’m not sure. I’ll try to come back if I can."

Damien sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Our first weekend together in weeks, and I’ve barely seen you. Yesterday you spent with Grace, and today your grandfather whisks you away. I was hoping for some time just for us."

His disappointment sent a pang of guilt through me. "This was unexpected. I’ll try to get back as soon as I can, I promise." I touched his arm gently. "Besides, we have next weekend, and the weekend after that. Why are you so impatient?"

"You promised," he said, his eyes holding mine with an intensity that made my wolf purr.

I turned to grab clothes from my closet, only to feel Damien’s eyes still on me. I glanced back at him. "Why are you following me? I need to change, and you can’t watch!"

A smile played at his lips. "What part of your body haven’t I seen? Haven’t touched? Haven’t kissed? Isn’t it a little late for modesty now?"

Heat rushed to my cheeks. "That’s different and you know it! This is just... different. Now get out before Grandfather suspects something."

Seeing my anxiety about being discovered, Damien’s expression softened into something more vulnerable. "When will you give me proper standing in your life, Victoria? We’re in a normal relationship, yet I feel like some secret you’re ashamed of."

His words stung. "Soon," I promised, squeezing his hand. "I’ll work on Grandfather, tell him all your good qualities. Just give me time."

Damien pulled me into his arms, pressing his lips to mine in a kiss that made my knees weak. I responded eagerly, partly to reassure him and partly because I couldn’t help myself around him.

Finally satisfied, he released me and slipped out so I could change. Once dressed, I joined Grandfather and we left together, giving Damien his chance to escape undetected.

In the car, I exhaled deeply. The morning had been more stressful than I’d anticipated, my heart racing with every close call. Our secret relationship had its thrilling moments, but the constant hiding was becoming exhausting.

As we drove, Grandfather and I chatted about his time in Europe. He looked healthier and happier than he had in months. Having family close clearly agreed with him, and I hoped he’d stay this way—vibrant and present in my life. Family was precious; I understood that better than most.

My phone buzzed with a message from Kane: "Victoria, I’ve gathered the information on Howard Reiner that you requested last night. Files attached."

I opened the attachment, curious about what Kane had discovered about the mysterious alpha who’d been causing trouble at our territory’s borders.