Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 233 Celebrate Damian’s birthday 2

Victoria’s POV

"Of course, Victoria. Anything you want, we can do," Damien said, his expression brightening like a wolf who’d just found his favorite prey. "This couples’ restaurant is quite nice. Perhaps I should just buy it for you? Would you like that?"

My mate was practically wagging his tail with happiness, though I’d barely done anything to warrant such enthusiasm. The irony wasn’t lost on me—I hadn’t needed to work to win him over. He’d done all the work himself.

The server arrived with our dishes, each one more exquisite than the last. The presentation was flawless, with enticing aromas wafting from every plate.

"You’re thinking way too much," I said, placing a morsel of food on Damien’s plate. "Just eat."

Damien accepted everything I offered without hesitation, devouring each bite like a starving wolf.

"So, what do you think?" I leaned forward, watching his reaction carefully.

"This flavor..." He paused thoughtfully. "It’s rather... unique."

"Unique how?" I tilted my head, studying his face.

Damien savored another bite, his expression contemplative. The dish was aromatic, delicious, but there was something else—something familiar that sparked recognition in his eyes.

His face suddenly lit up, eyes meeting mine with delighted surprise. "Victoria, did you make this yourself?"

No wonder he found it familiar. Though I rarely cooked, Damien had apparently memorized the taste of my cooking. He had recognized it immediately, despite nearly a year passing since I’d last prepared anything for him.

"Ahem," I cleared my throat, feeling strangely self-conscious under his knowing gaze.

"You did make it, didn’t you?" Damien tried another bite, his conviction growing stronger.

I nodded, my wolf Nora preening with satisfaction inside me. "Yes, I did."

I’d spent the entire afternoon here, preparing these dishes specifically for him.

"Why?" Damien set down his fork, his intense gaze focused entirely on me.

"What do you mean ’why’? Don’t you like it?" I sampled a bite myself, confident the flavor was quite good.

"Why cook for me?" Damien’s voice dropped lower, more intimate. "What’s going on? Did you do something you feel guilty about? If there’s something you need to tell me, Victoria, just say it directly. As long as you haven’t fallen for someone else or want a divorce, I’ll give you anything."

I stared at him incredulously. "Your imagination is running wild!"

Today was indeed special, but clearly, Damien had forgotten the significance of this date.

"Then what is it?" His brow furrowed in genuine confusion.

"There doesn’t need to be a reason," I replied. "Life should have moments of ceremony. I wanted to make something special for you. You’re always taking care of me, aren’t you? You used to cook for me all the time. This is me giving back. Love is reciprocal—it can’t always be you doing all the giving. Don’t you agree?"

My words seemed to catch him off guard, leaving him visibly touched. He took my hands in his, turning them over carefully to check for burns or injuries.

"You don’t need to do this for me," he said softly, his thumbs caressing my palms. "These hands should be doing other things. There are people who can cook for us. If you want something special, I’ll make it for you."

"Damien!" I pulled my hands back, my wolf bristling at the implication. "Why can you cook but I can’t? Your hands and mine are the same. You cook for me all the time. Why can’t I do the same for you? Let’s not argue about this—I’m getting hungry. Let’s eat."

I picked up my chopsticks as Damien began filling my plate with various dishes. "Eat up, then," he urged.

We ate together, conversation flowing easily between us. Time passed quickly in his company, the meal disappearing before I realized it.

I had other plans for the evening. After dinner, while there was still some daylight left, I pulled Damien along to explore the surrounding area.

He followed behind me, his eyes never leaving my form. I took him shopping, buying several outfits I thought would suit him.

"I already have clothes," he protested mildly. "Don’t people send new ones every month?"

"This is different," I insisted. "This is fun. Try this set on and let me see how it looks."

Unlike his usual preference for suits, I’d selected casual wear that would highlight his natural appeal.

What I hadn’t anticipated was just how devastatingly handsome he would look. When he emerged from the dressing room, he could easily have passed for a college student rather than the powerful Alpha he was. His tall frame made everything look designer-quality—a perfect clothes hanger.

"You’re wearing this today, okay?" I couldn’t hide my appreciation. His usual suits made him look mature and intimidating, but today I wanted to see the younger, more relaxed version of my mate.

"Do you like it?" he asked simply. "If you do, I’ll wear it."

"It’s not about what I like," I countered. "It’s about what you like. You should have your own preferences rather than just accommodating mine. If you like it, wear it. If not, we’ll find something else."

Damien’s response was immediate: "If you like it, then I like it."

I gave up, unable to argue with his devotion. "Then I love it."

The word "love" made his smile reach all the way to his eyes, his wolf Arthur practically radiating satisfaction through his human form.

With his new outfit purchased, we left the store together.

"I want to take you somewhere else," I said mysteriously.

"Where?" Curiosity colored his voice.

"You’ll see when we get there." I slid into the driver’s seat, preparing to drive us to our next destination.

Usually, either our driver or Damien handled the driving. I rarely took the wheel myself.

Predictably, Damien offered to drive, asking for the address.

"No need," I insisted. "I’ll drive. Today is about you enjoying yourself. All you need to do is relax and be happy."

Damien settled into the passenger seat, his lips curving upward. "I am happy."

Though he clearly found my behavior unusual, I sensed he would willingly follow me anywhere—even if I were leading him into danger.

I drove toward the outskirts of town, finally stopping after about thirty minutes.

Damien gazed at the amusement park before us, confusion evident in his expression. "Victoria, why did you bring me here? Did you want to ride the attractions? Or was this Brett’s idea?" He referred to my cousin, who often had childlike enthusiasms despite being a powerful wolf in his own right.

"I want to ride them," I admitted, taking his hand. "Let’s go in."

By now, darkness had fallen, transforming the amusement park into a magical landscape of colorful lights. People screamed with delight on the thrilling rides, their excitement palpable in the night air.

Performers wandered throughout the park, and a staff member dressed as a clown approached us, offering Damien a bundle of helium balloons.

Damien accepted them but immediately tried to hand them to me. "I think these were meant for you." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

I shook my head. "Hold them for me, would you?"

And so Damien walked through the amusement park, powerful Alpha wolf of the Blood Moon Pack, carrying a bunch of colorful balloons while I pulled him from one attraction to another.

"Let’s try that one!" I pointed excitedly. "It looks thrilling! And that one too—can we go on that next?"

Damien, of course, indulged my every whim. Whatever I suggested, he willingly agreed to, his wolf’s devotion to his mate overriding any potential embarrassment.