Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 63 That’s enough

Victoria’s POV:

I hung up the phone quickly.

"That’s enough of that," I muttered to myself, hurrying to gather my things for work. Another busy day awaited me at Lancaster Enterprises.

For the next few days, I threw myself into work, barely allowing time for anything else. Nora grew restless with the lack of physical exertion, but I channeled her energy into tackling one business challenge after another. My wolf strength and enhanced senses were assets in the human business world.

Finally, after nearly three days of non-stop work, I cleared my schedule enough to leave the office early. My thoughts turned to Dr. Mitchell—my former mentor who had been hospitalized recently. I hadn’t had the courage to face her directly since our falling out years ago, but I still cared deeply about her well-being. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

When I arrived at the hospital room, I found it empty. The scents that lingered—antiseptic mixed with the fading trace of her familiar lavender perfume—told me she had left recently.

"Excuse me," I asked a passing nurse, trying to appear casual. "The patient who was in this room—do you know when she was discharged?"

The young nurse smiled. "Just left, actually. You might catch them if you hurry downstairs."

"Thank you," I replied, but remained rooted to the spot, inhaling deeply to catch the last traces of my mentor’s scent.

Nora whined inside me, sensing my emotional turmoil. Dr. Wren Mitchell had been more than just my physics research mentor—she had been like a mother figure to me. The disappointment in her eyes when I told her I was abandoning our research had haunted me for years. All for Ethan. What a fool I’d been.

"She was so hurt when I left," I whispered to Nora. "How can I face her now?"

My wolf nudged me encouragingly, but I still hesitated. At least Dr. Mitchell had recovered enough to be discharged. That was something to be grateful for.

"Victoria?"

The familiar voice behind me made me freeze. My enhanced hearing hadn’t detected her approach—I’d been too lost in my thoughts. I turned slowly, my heart pounding.

Dr. Mitchell stood there, her white lab coat as pristine as ever, silver streaks in her dark hair the only sign of the years that had passed. Her scent—lavender and old books—hit me with a wave of nostalgia so powerful that Nora whimpered.

"Dr. Mitchell," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Her eyes—still sharp and perceptive—studied me carefully. "Five years without so much as a phone call. Were you planning to actually enter my room this time, or just stand outside again like last week?"

I lowered my gaze, feeling like a chastised pup. "I... I was ashamed to face you."

"Abandoning research is one thing," she said, her voice softening slightly. "Abandoning pack bonds is quite another."

Pack bonds. She wasn’t referring to a wolf pack—she didn’t know about that part of me—but the close-knit research team we’d formed had been its own kind of pack. And I had broken those bonds.

"I never meant to—" My voice caught. "I didn’t think you’d want to see me after how I left."

Dr. Mitchell stepped closer, her keen eyes examining me. "You’ve lost weight."

I shook my head. "Not really. You look exactly the same, though."

A hint of a smile crossed her face. "I heard someone was watching my room the other day. Stood outside for nearly an hour. I had a feeling it might be you." Her expression softened further. "Do you have time to talk? Really talk?"

"Yes," I nodded emphatically, relief flooding through me. "Yes, absolutely."

Dr. Mitchell explained she had returned to collect some forgotten items after being discharged. Just then, Matthew Crawley—my former research partner and Dr. Mitchell’s son—appeared, his face brightening when he saw me.

"Victoria! What a coincidence!" he exclaimed. "Mom insisted on coming back for some insignificant trinket, and here you are! You should have called me—what if we’d already left?"

"I didn’t want to impose," I said quietly.

Matthew waved away my concern. "Nonsense. We’re practically family, aren’t we? Let’s have dinner together. I’ll make reservations somewhere nice."

Before I could protest, Matthew was already driving us to a restaurant he knew. Once we were settled in a private dining room, he excused himself.

"I’ll order for us and then step out for a quick smoke. Start without me if the food arrives," he said with a meaningful glance between his mother and me.

When we were alone, I couldn’t hold back any longer. "I’m so sorry, Dr. Mitchell. I was impulsive and foolish."

Dr. Mitchell sighed, her expression softening. "Youth is meant for making mistakes, Victoria. I was just as headstrong at your age—worse, even. My parents tried to discourage me from pursuing physics, but I defied them. I was equally impulsive when I married young, only to divorce shortly after and raise Matthew alone."

Her understanding only made me feel worse. Nora whined inside me, sensing my guilt.

"Each of us must chart our own course," she continued. "I was wrong to try binding you to research if your heart wanted something else. You’re brilliant, Victoria—you’d excel at anything you set your mind to. I’ve been hoping for a chance to tell you that I support whatever path you choose."

My eyes filled with tears, and I reached across the table to embrace her. "I’m so sorry," I whispered again, my wolf keening with the emotional reunion.

When we pulled apart, Dr. Mitchell asked, "Would you consider returning to research now?"

I hesitated, considering my responsibilities to the Lancaster pack and business. "I’m not sure yet, but if you ever need my help with anything, I’ll be there immediately."

"Good," she nodded, seemingly satisfied. "There’s an international conference coming up. I’ve been invited to speak. Would you like to accompany me?"

I smiled, feeling a weight lift from my chest. "I’d be honored."

The evening turned celebratory. The relief of reconciling with my mentor loosened something in me, and I found myself drinking more than usual. By the end of dinner, I was unsteady on my feet, and Matthew insisted on seeing me home.

"You and mom really hit the wine hard," he chuckled, supporting me as we walked to my home building. "But it’s been years since I’ve seen her this happy. You were always her favorite, you know. When I showed her your anonymous research contribution last month, she recognized your work immediately. Actually cried when she realized it was yours."

"She doesn’t hate me," I murmured, the alcohol making me emotional. "I was so afraid she would."

"Hate you? Never," Matthew assured me. "Now, which floor is yours?"

I told him my house number, and he helped me into the elevator. The alcohol had dampened my wolf senses, making the world feel slightly off-kilter. Nora was subdued, affected by the wine just as I was.

But just as I arrived at my door, a strong, familiar smell hit me, and I looked up to see Damian’s serious expression.