Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 45 You can’t possibly fire me!

Victoria’s POV:

I looked up, my voice carrying a hint of annoyance as I watched Catharine Watson stand before Damien with a pleading expression.

"Mr. Sterling, I’ve devoted years to this company. My contributions are undeniable. You can’t possibly fire me!" Her tone revealed her frustration.

"He never mentioned firing you," I interjected, leaning against the doorframe. "That was all me."

Catharine’s eyes widened as she turned to face me. I could smell her anxiety mixing with something territorial—a beta wolf feeling threatened.

"I don’t know about your contributions," I continued coolly, my wolf Nora stirring inside me. "But I despise people who target me. Don’t provoke me, and we’ll coexist peacefully. But if you choose to challenge me..." I let the threat hang in the air between us, my posture relaxed but my eyes sharp.

Catharine wasn’t foolish enough to challenge me directly, especially with Damien’s obvious protection of me. The possibility that I might become the Alpha’s mate clearly terrified her—and the power I’d have to remove her from the pack hierarchy.

"Mr. Sterling," she tried again, her voice softening, "I was only joking with Miss Lancaster. Why is she taking everything so personally?"

I smiled, but my eyes remained cold. "Targeting? I was just joking too. Why so serious?"

Damien’s deep voice cut through the tension. "If you have nothing else to discuss, you can leave."

The dismissal was unmistakable. Catharine had no choice but to retreat, her shoulders tense as she exited the office.

Once the door closed, I caught sight of Damien’s lips curving into a satisfied smile. My wolf bristled at the sight.

"You men really enjoy watching women fight over you, don’t you?" I remarked sarcastically.

"So you were jealous?" His voice dropped to that dangerous, teasing tone that made my skin prickle. "You thought I had something going on with her, and it bothered you?"

"..."

"You’re delusional," I quickly recovered. "I wasn’t jealous at all. She was openly hostile, and I merely defended myself. Don’t take all that ’Alpha’s mate’ talk seriously. I absolutely didn’t mean it."

I needed to clarify this point—I definitely wasn’t implying I wanted to be his girlfriend or mate. That was the furthest thing from my mind.

"Explaining so much makes you sound guilty, little wolf," Damien teased, using that ridiculous nickname he’d given me since discovering my true nature. My wolf Nora oddly preened at the endearment, though I’d never admit it.

"See? This is exactly why I had to clarify—your ego is out of control. She might want to be the Alpha’s mate, but I have zero interest in that title. If anything, I’d rather take your position as Alpha. When I said I wanted your job, that wasn’t a joke."

Damien’s amber eyes gleamed with amusement. "As I’ve said before, my position as Alpha isn’t available, but you’re welcome to work toward becoming my mate."

The nerve of him! My wolf whined softly inside me, and I cursed the traitorous part of myself that found his dominance appealing.

I refused to waste more time on this conversation and returned to modifying my proposal. I continued working well past closing time before finally presenting it to him.

"What do you think? Is it better now?" I asked, feeling oddly eager for his approval as I handed it over.

Damien flipped through the pages, his expression unreadable. "Not good enough. Revise it again."

"Which parts need changing?" I asked, fighting my disappointment.

He pointed out several sections, and I sighed. "I can’t finish all these changes today. Unless... I could work late and get it to you by midnight? That’s technically still today, right?"

Damien had been clear—he wanted the revised project proposal today.

"I’m heading home now," he said, his voice nonchalant. "But I don’t mind if you come to my place to finish it."

I considered the offer. Our territories were close—his penthouse was just across from mine. Getting home afterward would take minutes.

"Fine," I agreed.

And that’s how I ended up following Damien Sterling back to his den for the second time. Everything remained unchanged from my previous visit—the sleek modern furniture, the floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the city, and that distinctive scent of cedar and midnight roses that marked his territory.

"Make yourself comfortable," I said breezily, settling onto his couch and opening my laptop as if I owned the place.

Damien ordered dinner, and only when he called me to eat did I realize how hungry I actually was. My wolf had been grumbling for the past hour.

I joined him at the dining table, appreciating the spread before us.

"This food is excellent. Which restaurant?" I asked between bites.

"My personal chef," Damien replied.

I nodded, impressed. This was the same chef who had followed him abroad—no wonder the food was exceptional.

I began eating quickly, eager to return to work.

"Slow down," Damien cautioned. "No one’s competing for your food."

"Time constraints, heavy workload. Need to finish the revision," I replied between bites.

After finishing, I returned to my work, completely focused on the screen before me.

I didn’t notice Damien watching me, his expression softening in a way it rarely did. I was too absorbed in my task, occasionally tucking stray hair behind my ear when it fell forward, unknowingly exposing my neck—a particularly vulnerable and significant gesture for wolf-kind.

From either angle, my features held a certain elegance. Not delicate beauty, but something stronger. My swan-like neck connected to prominent collarbones, and my skin was pale enough that any mark would stand out starkly—a thought that seemed to cross Damien’s mind as his scent briefly spiked with desire.

Apparently disturbed by his own thoughts, Damien abruptly retreated to the bathroom.

He’d never been particularly lustful—rejecting countless women who had thrown themselves at him. Yet with me, even when I was simply sitting there working, he found himself... affected. Almost addicted to the sensation.

Was it possible I’d somehow bewitched him? Our previous encounters had left a lingering impression he couldn’t shake.

Damien turned the shower to cold, letting the water cascade over him. After some time, he heard my voice calling from outside.

"Damien? Damien! Where are you?" I was looking for him, having completed the revisions and wanting his opinion.

Grabbing a towel, he hastily secured it around his waist, his body still wet and glistening.

I noticed the bathroom light was on and approached the door. "You’re in the bathroom, aren’t you? I’m not rushing you, just letting you know I’ve finished the revisions."

I was about to walk away when suddenly the door swung open, revealing a sight that made my breath catch—Damien’s nearly naked body, with only a towel precariously wrapped around his waist. Water droplets clung to his sculpted chest, tracing paths down defined abdominal muscles before disappearing beneath the towel. The hidden territory below created an air of mystery and desire, with the dangerous curve below his navel suggesting what remained concealed.

I froze in shock. "I... I’m sorry to interrupt..." My wolf Nora howled appreciatively inside me, recognizing the prime Alpha specimen before us.

I attempted to retreat, but Damien had other ideas. His arm shot out, grasping my wrist and pulling me into the bathroom with surprising strength. My back hit the cold wall while his heated body pressed forward, effectively trapping me.

Damien’s imposing height—nearly six foot three—completely enveloped my frame. The position was unbearably intimate, and my eyes darted nervously as my breathing became erratic. His scent intensified—smoky cedar mixed with midnight rose—clouding my senses and making Nora whine with need.

Damien lowered his eyes, his voice a husky growl that sent shivers down my spine. "Can’t even let me shower in peace, little wolf? So desperate to see me?"