Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 54 Complete lies

Ethan’s POV::

I dragged myself out of bed as the sun was already high in the sky. My wolf, Leon, was restless inside me, growling with discontent. He hadn’t been the same since Victoria left us. Since I’d lost her.

As I made my way downstairs, the scent of my father hit me before I saw him – that domineering Alpha scent that always made Leon want to either submit or challenge. It was complicated being the son of Lawrence Sterling, Alpha of the Northstream Pack.

"Dad, good morning," I said, trying to sound cheerful despite the hangover pounding in my skull.

"Morning?" My father’s voice dripped with disapproval, his wolf energy pressing against mine. "Look at the time, Ethan. What part of this is morning?"

My mother hovered nearby, attending to my father as always. She was adorned with gold and silver jewelry that screamed "mate of an Alpha" – as if anyone could forget. Her neck and wrists glittered with expensive trinkets, a constant reminder that she had married into power. Despite being in her forties, she looked barely thirty – the perks of being mated to an Alpha kept her looking youthful, though the bond had done little for her dignity.

"Darling," she cooed at my father, "Ethan has been working so hard lately. I saw him in the study until three or four in the morning. He’s just tired from all his efforts. Don’t be too harsh."

Complete lies. Last night I’d been out drowning my sorrows, trying to forget Victoria’s scent, trying to forget how her wolf had rejected mine so completely. I’d stumbled home drunk well after four, and my mother knew it. But she always covered for me – it was our little dance.

I said nothing to contradict her. What was the point? My father had been disappointed in me ever since Victoria had publicly humiliated me. The respect I’d built in the pack was crumbling, and I could feel it. Everything was falling apart.

My father wasn’t acknowledging me as his worthy successor. Victoria – my Victoria – had not only broken up with me but refused to even see me. For five years, I’d believed she was just an ordinary omega, only to discover she’d been hiding her true identity the whole time. The sting of her deception still burned.

And Scarlett... Goddess help me. Scarlett was supposed to be my ticket to securing my position in the pack, but she’d been nothing but trouble. I’d cleaned up so many of her messes, and still she showed no appreciation for my difficulties. After our latest fight, she’d retreated to her family’s den in the Sutton territory. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

My father let out a cold snort, his wolf energy flaring briefly before he tossed an invitation onto the coffee table between us.

"There’s a fashion show tonight," he said, his voice commanding even in casual conversation. "Every powerful wolf and human worth knowing will be there." He fixed his Alpha gaze on me, making Leon whimper inside. "This is your invitation. Go make connections with the pack leaders and business elites. How many contracts you secure depends entirely on your own abilities."

The unspoken message was clear: don’t disappoint me again.

I picked up the invitation, the heavy cardstock feeling like another burden on my already weary shoulders. As I examined it, a familiar scent caught my attention – sweet, like honey and spring flowers.

Victoria’s scent.

My wolf howled inside me. She would be there tonight. Maybe this was my chance to win her back, to make her understand that our bond was meant to be, regardless of her true identity. I hadn’t known she was the heiress to the Crescent Dawn Pack when I fell for her, and that shouldn’t matter now.

What did matter was that deep down, I knew she was meant to be mine. And tonight, I would remind her of that fact.

"I’ll be there," I told my father, suddenly feeling more motivated than I had in weeks. "And I’ll make sure the Sterling name is represented properly."

"Alright, Dad." I took the invitation, feeling nothing but dread. These networking events were the last thing I wanted to deal with right now.

The reality of being in the Sterling family was nothing like what I had imagined growing up. From childhood, my mother had filled my head with fantasies - that I was a Sterling by blood, that I would eventually take my rightful place in the family, and that once I did, both of us would enjoy endless luxury and respect. No one would ever dare look down on us again.

I had dreamed of this day for so long. But now that I was here, I realized that the insecurity was etched into my bones, impossible to erase. If anything, becoming part of the Sterling pack had only made me more sensitive to others’ opinions.

They might not say it to my face, but I knew what they all thought - that I couldn’t measure up to Damien, that I would always be just the illegitimate son. The outsider. The lesser wolf.

At least before, I’d had Victoria by my side. Victoria was truly special - she would reassure me when my confidence faltered, telling me I was incredible just as I was. But now, Victoria was gone too, and I was completely alone in this gilded cage that wasn’t nearly as golden as I’d imagined.

The thought of schmoozing with pack leaders who secretly despised me made my stomach turn. My wolf, Leon, whimpered inside me, sharing my distress.

Father stood up abruptly. "I have business at the company. I’ll be heading there shortly."

With that, Lawrence Sterling ascended the stairs, presumably to change clothes, leaving me alone with my mother.

Mother wasted no time pulling me aside once Father was out of earshot, her wolf energy anxious and agitated. "Ethan, what’s going on with you? What’s happened these past few days?"

"Nothing, Mom," I muttered, but my scent betrayed me - anxiety and despair rolling off me in waves that any wolf could detect.

"Don’t give me that. Look at yourself! You’re a mess." She squeezed my arm. "Listen to me - tomorrow you’re going to make things right with Scarlett. She’s a perfect mate for someone in your position. Why are you fighting with her?"

I pulled away, feeling Leon bristle inside me. "Mom, Scarlett and I have no true bond. No mate connection. We’re going to end up divorced eventually anyway. Now that I’ve been accepted into the Sterling pack officially, I don’t need her connections anymore."

That was the truth of it. I’d only gotten together with Scarlett to use her family’s relationship with the Sterlings. The Suttons were well-connected beta wolves within the Northstream Pack, and through Scarlett, I’d been able to meet influential people and demonstrate my capabilities to Father. But now that goal was accomplished. I didn’t need her anymore.

"What nonsense are you talking?" Mother’s eyes narrowed. "Don’t tell me you’re still thinking about that poor omega girl? Is she still trying to sink her claws into you?"

At the mention of Victoria, my heart clenched painfully. Leon howled inside me, missing her sweet scent and the way her presence used to calm our restless spirits.

"It’s not like that. Victoria isn’t that kind of person." The defense came automatically to my lips, even now.

I truly did care for Victoria. I’d even told her I could be with her after divorcing Scarlett. If she didn’t mind, we could even be together secretly now - she could be my mistress. It wouldn’t be degrading for her; after all, I was the Sterling heir. I could give her luxury beyond her wildest dreams.