Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 66 What the hell?

Victoria’s POV:

I woke with a splitting headache and that uncomfortable feeling that something was wrong. When had my bed gotten such a large, warm pillow? As I slowly opened my eyes, a familiar face came into focus just inches from mine.

"What the hell?" I couldn’t help but cry out.

Pure instinct kicked in as I lashed out with my foot, kicking Damian Sterling off my bed. The Alpha of Blood Moon Pack hit the floor hard.

He looked up at me with a glare: "Victoria, you’re such a scumbag, using me to satisfy your desires and now kicking me away."

I ignored his reaction, assessing my situation. This was definitely my bedroom, but why was Damian Sterling in my bed? I pulled the sheets tightly around my nearly naked body, feeling the distinct soreness between my thighs and tender spots on my neck and shoulders.

Memories from last night flashed through my mind—his hands on my skin, his mouth on my neck, me moaning and screaming beneath him...

When I shifted position, the aches throughout my body made me wince. "I feel like I’ve been torn apart. You were too rough."

Damian stood up with a satisfied smirk curving his lips, completely unashamed of his magnificent naked form. His strong chest bore faint red scratches—evidence of my own participation.

"Interesting complaint, coming from someone who kept begging for more," he drawled, dark eyes sparkling with amusement. "Your exact words were ’harder’ and ’don’t stop.’"

I felt my cheeks burn. "How exactly did you get in here?" I demanded, changing the subject.

"Your ’date’..." his voice hardened when he mentioned the word. "He brought you home drunk and was about to follow you inside. I intervened."

I frowned, trying to piece together fuzzy memories. "Matthew Crowley is my mentor’s brother, not my date. We were celebrating my new jewelry design collection."

"That’s not how he was acting," Damian growled, his wolf clearly near the surface. "That’s not what he told the doorman either. He claimed to be your potential mate."

I rolled my eyes. "And that gave you the right to do what—swoop in and claim ownership?"

"It did indeed. Victoria, you’re mine." The possessiveness in his voice made my spine shiver involuntarily.

"I don’t belong to you."

I continued: "We just had physical sex, enjoyed pleasure. We won’t progress beyond this."

"Won’t we?" His voice was softer now, almost vulnerable beneath the arrogance. "Victoria, we both know what’s here. Something beyond physical attraction."

I looked away, reaching for my phone on the nightstand, noticing several missed calls and messages from Matthew.

"Is my date okay? That wolf who claimed to be your boyfriend seemed pretty aggressive."

"Call me when you wake up. I’m worried about you."

"I can come back if you need me. Just say the word."

"Boyfriend?" I looked at Damian accusingly. "You told Matthew you were my boyfriend?"

He shrugged unapologetically. "It was the fastest way to get rid of him."

"You had no right to—"

"I had every right," he interrupted, his voice dropping to a dangerous register. "Whether you admit it or not, you’re my mate, Victoria. I don’t know what you’ve done to prevent me from sensing your scent or marking you. But none of that changes the fact that you are my mate."

"You’re delusional," I said, but my voice lacked conviction. "You’re the least likely person to be my mate."

I quickly replied to Matthew: "I’m fine. Sorry for the confusion. That was just my overprotective neighbor. Not my boyfriend."

Matthew replied almost immediately: "Good to hear. Are you dating anyone right now?"

I hesitated before typing: "No, I’m taking time for myself. Flying solo and loving it!"

Though the words felt hollow when Damian’s powerful presence filled my bedroom.

"You need to leave," I said firmly, refusing to meet his eyes. "I have work today. Lancaster Designs doesn’t run itself."

"Victoria," his voice was surprisingly gentle as he began getting dressed. "We need to talk about what’s happening between us."

"Nothing has changed between us," I insisted.

He paused at my bedroom door, now fully dressed but still radiating the kind of handsomeness that made my heart race. "You can deny it all you want, but your wolf knows the truth. Sooner or later, you’ll have to admit it too."

After he left, I collapsed back against my pillows, thoughts racing. After everything with Ethan, I’d sworn off love, especially anything serious. The last thing I needed was a mate bond with Damian Sterling—the arrogant Alpha of Blood Moon Pack, notorious playboy, and brother of my cheating ex-boyfriend.

But as I dragged myself out of bed toward the shower, I couldn’t ignore how my wolf whimpered at his absence, or how my fingers kept tracing the places he’d paid special attention to last night.

I reminded myself I had bigger concerns. The contract with ME Group was still unsigned, and I needed to find a way to convince Damian to agree. Plus, I had other potential international partners to pursue, including an emerging overseas pack whose Alpha had expressed interest in our designs.

I told myself firmly that business came first. Whatever was happening between Damian and me would have to wait.