Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 49 You want to kill me?

Victoria’s POV:

Damien’s expression remained impassive, but his scent—that intoxicating blend of smoky cedar and midnight rose—intensified slightly as his wolf, Arthur, responded to the challenge. Even from a distance, I could feel the power radiating from him.

"Is that so?" Damien’s voice was cold, controlled. "If I were you, I’d learn to recognize when I’m outmatched. Be grateful you can still tuck your tail between your legs and return to your comfortable life as daddy’s favorite. Keep provoking me, and you might not have any life to return to."

Ethan’s face paled. "Are you threatening me? You want to kill me?"

Damien’s lips curved into the barest hint of a smile. "There are witnesses everywhere, little brother. I never said such things." He took a deliberate step closer, and I watched Ethan’s wolf instinctively cower. "As your elder brother, I’m merely offering friendly advice. Right now, you’ve only angered me, and I’m still speaking civilly. But next time..."

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper that my Alpha hearing could still detect. "Next time, I might decide those legs of yours are too bothersome. Perhaps you’d prefer never having to walk again."

Though his tone remained casual, the Alpha command bleeding through made Ethan visibly tremble. Their eyes locked, and I could see genuine fear in Ethan’s expression as he faced the raw power of a true Alpha.

I decided it was time to intervene. "What exactly is happening here?" I called out, pushing through the crowd. "This is Lancaster Group property, not Sterling family territory. Take your pack disputes elsewhere!"

Ethan’s head snapped toward me, his eyes lighting up with pathetic hope. "Victoria! You finally came to see me... I’ve been waiting outside for days. I... I miss you so much."

Nora growled inside me, disgusted by his audacity. Before I could respond, Damien’s voice cut through the air, sharp as a blade.

"A mated wolf professing to miss another female? How inappropriate." The way he said it—like he was discussing the weather—somehow made it even more cutting.

I ignored Ethan completely, addressing my security team instead. "Get him off our property immediately. I won’t have him embarrassing himself at the Lancaster Group entrance."

Then I turned to Damien, trying to ignore how my wolf perked up at his proximity. "And you? What brings you here?"

His amber eyes locked with mine, and I felt that familiar electric current between us—the one I’d been desperately trying to deny. "Lancaster Group was quite eager for my partnership, yet now that I’ve agreed, no one has come to finalize our contract. I had to see for myself why the Lancaster heiress has become so... inaccessible."

I cleared my throat, suddenly aware of how close he was standing. "Our CEO isn’t in the office today."

Ethan’s voice interrupted us, his tone bitter as he spotted Kane behind me. "Victoria, how did someone like you even get into Lancaster Group? You have no education, no culture! Did you sleep your way in?" He pointed accusingly at Kane. "Was it him? Did he hire you after you crawled into his bed?"

I didn’t even bother giving Ethan an eye roll. Nora snarled within me, offended that this pathetic excuse for a wolf had been our chosen mate for five years. The difference between the Sterling brothers couldn’t be more stark—Damien would never reduce a woman to such degrading assumptions.

"Is your brain filled with nothing but filth?" I replied coolly. "Not everyone is like your mother, climbing into men’s beds because she lacks actual skills. Though I suppose you should thank her—if she hadn’t been a homewrecker, you wouldn’t be standing here barking like a rabid dog."

I knew exactly where to hit him. Ethan’s most sensitive point had always been his illegitimate status. In the past, I’d carefully protected his fragile ego, but now? There was absolutely no reason to hold back.

"Victoria! How could you say such things to me?" Ethan’s voice cracked, his face ashen.

"Am I wrong? You’re nothing but a man who lives off others, using women to secure your position. If anyone’s built their life by climbing into beds, it’s you. You and Scarlett deserve each other—mated and locked together for life!"

Ethan stood there, face pale, eyes filled with hurt. I could see the shock in his expression. He’d grown accustomed to my gentleness, to me absorbing his temper tantrums and never fighting back. Now he was facing a Victoria he didn’t recognize—one who wouldn’t hesitate to bare her teeth.

As security moved to remove him, Damien spoke up: "Wait."

I turned to him, exasperated. "What now? Are you enjoying creating chaos in my lobby?"

A smile played at the corners of his mouth, sending an unwelcome flutter through my chest. "I brought you a gift."

I didn’t believe for a second that Damien Sterling would bring anything beneficial. "I don’t want it."

But Jeff Parker, Damien’s assistant, was already approaching with what appeared to be a wooden frame holding a sign. Upon closer inspection, I saw Ethan’s photo with a large red X across it. Underneath were the words: "Ethan Sterling and dogs not permitted inside."

I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. My wolf practically purred with satisfaction.

"If that’s the gift, then I’ll gladly accept it." I would definitely display it at the Lancaster Group entrance, a public reminder of Ethan’s humiliation.

Ethan’s face contorted with fury as he realized what Damien had done. "Damien, you’ll regret this!" he shouted as security dragged him away.

Damien’s eyes met mine, amusement dancing in their amber depths. "Little wolf," he murmured, using the nickname that made my skin tingle despite myself, "shall we discuss our business now that the interruption has been removed?"

Nora responded eagerly to his presence, pressing against my consciousness. The bond between our wolves was undeniable, even if I refused to acknowledge it. My wolf knew what he was to us—a potential mate, an Alpha worthy of standing beside us. But after Ethan’s betrayal, I wasn’t ready to trust those instincts again.

"Fine," I said curtly, turning toward the elevators. "Let’s get this over with."

As we walked side by side, I could feel his wolf’s energy brushing against mine—testing, seeking connection. I reinforced my mental barriers, grateful for the enchanted bracelet that still partially masked my true Alpha nature from him. Until I was ready—until I could trust again—Damien Sterling would remain just another business associate.

No matter how much my wolf howled in protest.