Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 55 I still love her

Ethan’s POV:

I’d hidden my marriage from Victoria because I wanted to keep her in my life without complications. I just never expected her to discover the truth and react so severely. Victoria couldn’t tolerate even a grain of sand in her eye - she refused to continue our relationship on any terms. Now it wasn’t Victoria pursuing me; it was me desperately trying to get her back.

"How is she not that kind of person?" Mother scoffed, her wolf energy flaring with contempt. "Don’t think I don’t know what she wants. She’s just trying to trap you, to marry into wealth without sacrificing anything. That’s not how this works!"

Her eyes flashed with something dangerous - the look of a she-wolf defending her territory. "Do you have any idea how hard I worked to secure our position? Do you know what I sacrificed to get us where we are today?"

I knew exactly what she meant. The rumors had followed us for years - how she had used every feminine wile to keep Father’s attention, how Damien’s mother had suffered a suspicious "accident" that opened the position of Father’s mate. Some even whispered that mother had poisoned Damien’s mother, preventing her from bearing more children who might compete with me for the inheritance.

Mother had done all this for me, and she clearly wouldn’t tolerate me choosing a mate she deemed unworthy.

"Mom, stop," I said firmly, feeling Leon rising closer to the surface. My eyes might have flashed wolf-gold for a moment. "I love Victoria. Someday, we will be together again. That’s final."

In my heart and in my wolf’s soul burned an obsession with Victoria, a desperate need to possess her. The more she slipped away from me, the more frantically I wanted her back.

I didn’t even care that she and Damien seemed to be growing closer. If I could just get Victoria to bear my child, to form that unbreakable bond... she would be mine forever. My wolf growled in approval at the thought.

Without another word, I turned and left the room, ignoring my mother’s hardened expression.

Behind me, I heard her venomous whisper, her wolf’s protective fury palpable in the air: "Dream on! As long as I’m alive, that little bitch will never set foot in this pack house!"

She thought Victoria was just using me to become wealthy, to enjoy the privileges of being mated to a powerful wolf. But mother was wrong about Victoria - so very wrong. And someday, I would prove it to everyone.

The fashion show was about to begin, and the clock was ticking. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, Leon restless within me. This entire evening was a complete waste of time. Despite bearing the Sterling name, pack leaders and business magnates alike seemed uninterested in networking with me.

Their looks said it all—they didn’t respect me. I could smell their judgment in their scents, that subtle air of disdain that wolves could never truly hide from each other. My wolf bristled at the disrespect.

Fine. I wouldn’t lower myself to beg for their attention. After all, I was Ethan Sterling, heir to Northstream Pack’s business empire. They should be approaching me, not the other way around.

My attention turned to the central viewing area, where one prime seat sat conspicuously empty. Several powerful Alphas had already positioned themselves nearby, clearly hoping to interact with whoever was important enough to warrant such an arrangement. The scent of their anticipation hung heavy in the air.

I couldn’t help but wonder who commanded such respect. I fantasized about the day I might sit in such a seat—when I became the Alpha everyone wanted to approach, when my status was unquestionable, when I could look down at the world with the confidence I was born to possess.

"You’re in the way. Move."

The familiar cold voice behind me sent a chill down my spine. I turned to find Damian—my half-brother—standing there, his dominant wolf energy already pressing against mine, making Leon whimper despite my efforts to stay composed.

"Damian? You’re here too?" I hadn’t expected him at a fashion show. The dim lighting cast shadows across his face, but I could clearly see the contempt in his eyes.

"Can’t understand simple instructions? Good dogs don’t block the path."

He was several inches taller than me—nearly six-foot-three to my five-eleven. Even without the height difference, his Alpha presence made mine pale in comparison. My wolf instinctively cowered, though I tried to maintain a defiant posture.

"Who are you calling a dog?" I snarled, feeling my canines sharpen slightly with anger.

"Are you that slow? I’m talking about you." Damian never bothered being polite to me. His wolf energy pulsed with dominance, making mine retreat further.

"You... you’re going too far. I’m telling you, I—"

Before I could finish, Damian simply reached out and physically moved me aside as if I weighed nothing.

"I don’t listen to the yapping of lesser wolves," he said dismissively, then strode past me.

I stared at his retreating figure, rage building in my chest. Leon wanted to challenge him, to assert ourselves, but we both knew we wouldn’t win. First he called me a dog, then implied I was beneath him. Who did he think he was?

"Damian, stop!" I started after him, my wolf pushing me forward despite the danger.

A security guard blocked my path. "Sir, I need to see your invitation."

I handed over my invitation card, only to be blocked again. "Sorry, sir. Your seat is in the general area. This is the VIP section, requiring a special invitation."

"What?" I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. "Then why was he allowed in?" I pointed at Damian’s retreating figure.

"He’s our honored guest."

Honored guest? What made Damian so special? This injustice stung worse than any physical blow. I watched helplessly as my half-brother took that coveted central seat—the absolute best view of the runway.

It was Damian? The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. I had been wondering what kind of Alpha would be important enough to occupy that seat, and it was him.

Within minutes, the other powerful wolves in the VIP area approached him, their submissive body language clear even from a distance. They tilted their heads slightly, exposing just enough neck to show respect without appearing weak. Others outside the VIP area could only watch enviously—security was tight, only those with special invitations could enter.

My eyes burned with fury. My wolf howled in frustration within me. One day, I swore to myself, I would have Damian under my claws, where he belonged.

Just then, the lights on stage illuminated.

The show began.

At first, I wasn’t particularly interested.

Until I saw Victoria take the stage.

I could hardly believe my eyes.

Victoria’s first outfit was a stunning blue gown, the rippling fabric mimicking ocean waves. The dress had a thigh-high slit that revealed her long legs as she walked. She was tall and slender with perfect proportions. Her makeup was bold yet elegant—when she appeared, she looked like a sea goddess.

The upper part of the dress hugged her curves perfectly, highlighting her flawless figure. The moment Victoria appeared, the entire audience fell silent. Though all the models were beautiful in their own way, when Victoria stepped onto the runway under the spotlight, everything else seemed to fade into insignificance.

My wolf stirred within me, recognizing what we had lost. I watched, mesmerized, as this confident, radiant woman commanded the runway with every step.

This... this was Victoria? My Victoria?

As Victoria passed the VIP area, I saw her eyes briefly lock with Damian’s. Something primal made my blood boil with jealousy.

My wolf roared within me. She was ours. She would always be ours. Whatever it took, I would possess her again.