Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 48 I hated that

Ethan’s POV::

As I stood outside Lancaster Group headquarters, I noticed the appreciative glances from passing employees sliding over me. The confidence that had once been my armor now felt hollow, but I straightened my designer suit, smoothing any wrinkles. My appearance remained flawless—the only thing I could control in my rapidly unraveling life.

I needed to see her. One conversation with Victoria might change everything. My wolf paced restlessly within me, whimpering painfully at the separation from the she-wolf we’d thought would forever belong to us.

A security guard approached with a stern expression. "Sorry, sir, but you need to leave the premises."

I squared my shoulders, letting a thread of my wolf’s dominance seep into my posture despite my relatively weak status. "I’m not bothering anyone. Why should I leave?"

"You’re disrupting our employees’ normal work procedures," he said firmly. "Several people have complained that you loitering here looks suspicious."

The accusation stung my pride. "Suspicious? I’m Ethan Sterling, heir to Northbrook Enterprises!" My voice rose with indignation. "I’m here to discuss partnership opportunities with Miss Lancaster." The lie felt bitter on my tongue—Victoria wouldn’t even look at me anymore, let alone consider business cooperation.

The guard moved to block my path, and I felt my wolf bristle beneath my skin. We both knew I couldn’t force my way through without creating a scene that would only further damage my reputation. But I couldn’t bear to leave, not when Victoria might appear at any moment.

A sleek black luxury sedan pulled up to the curb, catching my attention. The driver quickly emerged to open the rear door. My heart sank as I recognized the custom Italian shoes and powerful legs that first emerged from the car. An intense, unmistakable scent hit my nostrils, triggering an instinctive submission response I struggled to suppress.

Damian Sterling emerged from the car with the lethal grace of an apex predator. His custom suit emphasized his broad shoulders and powerful frame. Unlike me, he didn’t need to project dominance—it radiated from him naturally, making both humans and wolves instinctively step back, creating a path for him without him saying a word.

My wolf cringed within me, recognizing the Alpha bloodline that flowed stronger in him than in me. Every step he took toward the building entrance radiated control and purpose. His amber eyes swept the Lancaster building with determination, completely ignoring my presence as if I weren’t worth his notice.

But I noticed him. How could I not? My half-brother—the one our father had banished, yet who had risen to heights no Sterling had reached before. Anger and jealousy clawed at my insides as I watched him approach. My wolf raised its hackles, sensing a rival for Victoria’s attention, though deep down we both knew the battle was already lost.

I hated that I couldn’t deny his superior power even in my private thoughts. Damian didn’t just look like an Alpha—he was one to his core, carrying the natural authority I’d spent my entire life trying to imitate.

As Damian approached, the guard who had been blocking my path suddenly straightened, his demeanor shifting from confrontational to respectful. Everyone nearby seemed to sense his power—his aura effortlessly commanding attention. It was the same effect Victoria had on people when she wasn’t hiding her true nature.

A sickening realization washed over me: they were alike in ways Victoria and I had never been. Two pure Alphas, powerful and uncompromising. The kind of wolf I’d always pretended to be.

As Damian passed without sparing me a glance, I felt my wolf’s frustrated howl building in my chest. He was entering Victoria’s territory—her building, her domain—and everything inside me screamed that I should challenge him, stake my claim to what I still foolishly thought belonged to me.

But I remained frozen in place, trapped between my wolf’s instincts and the human rationality that reminded me I no longer had any claim to Victoria. I’d forfeited that right the moment I betrayed her.

I watched helplessly as Damian disappeared behind the glass doors, knowing with painful certainty that he would succeed where I had failed. Victoria would see him. The Alpha she was always destined to find would undoubtedly reach her, while I—the Beta who had foolishly believed I could keep her—remained outside, banned even from entering her building.

My own medicine had never tasted so bitter.

Victoria’s POV:

My head started pounding the moment I heard his name. "Damien? Why is he here? Does he have an appointment?"

My first thought was that Damien Sterling had arrived solely to complicate my already chaotic day. Dealing with Ethan was frustrating enough—adding his Alpha half-brother to the mix was the last thing I needed. I’d been purposely avoiding Damien for days, desperately trying to keep my distance. The moon goddess knew I couldn’t handle being in his presence right now.

Kane Lancaster, my loyal secretary and pack brother, gave me a concerned look. "No appointment. Not sure why he’s here, but given the situation downstairs... do you want to take a look?"

Rather than rushing down, I walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows and peered at the scene below. A crowd had gathered around a man kneeling on the ground—Ethan. My wolf, Nora, stirred within me, no longer feeling the pain she once did at the sight of him, just annoyance and disgust.

"Just have security remove him," I said flatly. Ethan had become such a nuisance, showing up daily to create drama.

Kane hesitated. "And what about Damien? Should we remove him too?"

I paused, considering the implications. Our negotiations with ME Group—Damien’s company—were nearly complete, just waiting for signatures. Offending him now could jeopardize everything we’d worked for. My wolf huffed impatiently, sensing my indecision.

"Fine," I sighed. "I’ll go down myself."

When I reached the lobby, the atmosphere was tense but oddly quiet. The crowd stood watching the spectacle unfold, no one daring to interfere. Ethan remained on his knees, his eyes red with anger and humiliation.

"One day, Damien, I’ll make you kneel before me," Ethan snarled, his weak Beta wolf evident in his posture despite his attempt at dominance. "I’ll make you suffer every humiliation I’m enduring!"