Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 81 Just you

Victoria’s POV

I only found out later why Damien had called me. Ethan and Scarlett had another fight, this time because my ex had hired a secretary who looked eerily similar to me.

Scarlett was furious. She’d gone on a vacation with Sophie Smith, and by some twisted stroke of fate, they spotted me dining with Matthew. at the hotel restaurant. Of course, Scarlett couldn’t help herself—she snapped photos of us and sent them straight to Damien, trying to stir up trouble between us.

I couldn’t have cared less. My priorities had shifted entirely. At that moment, I stood confidently among renowned scientific researchers, presenting a project that my mentor, Professor Rein Mitchell, had been developing for years. The research was groundbreaking, with applications across multiple industries. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Though I hadn’t been directly involved in the primary research, I had mastered every aspect of it. As I finished my PowerPoint presentation, my eyes caught something unexpected on the final slide—my name listed among Professor Mitchell’s research team members.

I hadn’t seen this slide beforehand and was genuinely surprised. I’d only contributed a small component to the research, but my mentor had been generous enough to credit me. Professor Mitchell was truly remarkable that way.

After the presentation, the audience erupted in admiration. "This is revolutionary," someone commented. "If this core technology is implemented, the potential returns would be astronomical."

Questions flooded in from every direction, and I answered each one with precision and clarity. From the back of the room, I noticed Sophie staring at me in disbelief. I could practically feel the waves of jealousy radiating from her as she realized just how accomplished I was. The woman who had once dismissed me as nothing special was now confronted with the reality of my capabilities.

Our eyes met briefly, and I allowed myself a slight smirk before redirecting my attention elsewhere. Her envy meant nothing to me anymore.

The sharing session was a resounding success. Even Dr. Frank Miller, a leading figure in the field, approached me afterward for a chat. I felt immense relief—I hadn’t let my mentor down.

As Dr. Miller and I conversed, my wolf Nora suddenly became alert inside me. I caught a glimpse of a figure partially hidden in the shadows near the entrance. Only half his body was visible in the light, his face obscured by darkness. But my wolf recognized him instantly—Damien Sterling.

I couldn’t ignore his unique smell.

My heart skipped a beat. *What the hell is he doing here?*

I could understand Scarlett and Sophie’s presence—they were petty enough to follow me around—but Damien? He wasn’t involved in scientific research at all. Just yesterday, he’d texted me about dinner when he was presumably still in the capital. How had he made it to S City so quickly?

How long had he been standing there? Had he watched my entire presentation?

Dr. Miller continued speaking, unaware of my distraction. "Miss Lancaster, I had no idea you were Rein Mitchell’s student. Do you have time this evening? I’d like to invite you to dinner."

Before I could respond, the man who had been lurking in the shadows strode forward with purpose, his powerful Alpha aura filling the room as he answered for me.

"She’s not available," Damien declared, his voice carrying that unmistakable note of possessiveness that only born Alphas could produce.

Dr. Miller scrutinized Damien as he approached us, his eyes measuring the tall, powerful figure that had just claimed my evening without consultation. Even among werewolves, Damien Sterling stood out—his imposing height matched Dr. Miller’s considerable stature, but there was something else about him that commanded attention. The raw power of an Alpha radiated from him, that unmistakable aura that made even human scientists instinctively wary.

I could feel Nora stirring inside me, responding to Arthur’s proximity even when I tried to keep her calm. My wolf had been unusually interested in Damien since that night, and it was becoming harder to ignore.

"And who might this be?" Dr. Miller inquired, his scent shifting with subtle curiosity.

"He’s a friend of mine," I answered quickly, trying to establish boundaries before Damien could say something inappropriate. Inside, Nora whined softly, disagreeing with my classification.

Damien’s mouth curved into that infuriating half-smile that made my pulse quicken against my will. His arm slid around my shoulders with practiced ease, pulling me against the warmth of his side. His cedar and midnight rose scent wrapped around me, making it difficult to concentrate.

"Friend seems a bit... insufficient, Victoria," he murmured, his voice dropping to that deep register that sent shivers down my spine. His fingers traced a casual pattern against my shoulder, a subtle reminder of how those same fingers had explored my body just nights before. "Do you really need me to clarify exactly what kind of friends we are? The kind that share more than just conversation?"

I felt heat rise to my cheeks as Nora practically purred inside me. Damn him and his ability to unbalance me.

"Well," Dr. Miller chuckled, clearly interpreting our interaction correctly despite my protest. "I see your boyfriend is quite protective. Handsome fellow too."

"He’s not my—" I began, but Damien cut me off smoothly.

"Thank you," he replied, those two simple words cementing a relationship status I hadn’t agreed to. His wolf Arthur rumbled with satisfaction, and I could swear I felt the vibration through our physical contact.

Dr. Miller smiled knowingly. "I suppose dinner is off the table then. No matter—my offer about the research position remains open, Victoria. Whenever you’re ready to explore that option, my door is always open. I’d be delighted to have someone with your talents on board."

The scientist’s appreciative glance lingered a moment too long, and I felt Damien’s arm tighten imperceptibly around me, a subtle display of possessiveness that only another Alpha would recognize.

"Thank you. I’ll definitely keep that in mind if I ever consider that path," I replied professionally, trying to ignore how naturally I fit against Damien’s side, how right it felt despite my rational mind’s objections.

As soon as Dr. Miller walked away, I grabbed Damien’s wrist and pulled him toward a secluded corner of the hallway. "What are you doing here?" I demanded, keeping my voice low. "Did you come just to sabotage my professional connections?"

His eyes—those intense eyes that seemed to see right through my defenses—studied me with amusement. "I was helping you, Victoria. You could show a little gratitude."

My wolf Nora was practically preening under his attention, making it harder for me to maintain my irritation. I pushed her back mentally, refusing to let her influence my judgment.

"Helping me? How exactly?" I challenged, though my body remembered all too well how his hands had "helped" me that night at his penthouse.

Damien leaned against the wall, looking entirely too composed. "That human was interested in more than your research, Victoria. I was simply eliminating a potential complication."

"That ’human’ is one of the most respected scientists in our field," I snapped, though I couldn’t deny I’d sensed some personal interest beneath Dr. Miller’s professional demeanor. "And since when do you get to decide who shows interest in me? My eyes work perfectly fine, thank you. I don’t need your wolf-male possessiveness complicating my professional life."

"Wolf-male possessiveness?" He raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into that knowing smile that made me want to either slap him or kiss him. "Interesting choice of words. And let’s be honest—men are simple creatures driven by basic instincts. Any male with functioning senses would be drawn to you. The question is..." He stepped closer, invading my personal space with deliberate slowness. "Are you interested in any of them?"

The direct question caught me off guard. "And what about you?" I countered. "Are you one of those simple creatures driven by basic instincts? Which attractive women are you pursuing this week?"

Damien’s eyes darkened as he held my gaze. "Just you."

Something in his tone—the raw honesty beneath the playfulness—made my breath catch. Nora stirred restlessly, pushing me toward him.

"After all," he continued, his voice dropping to a sensual murmur, "wouldn’t it be more exciting if you called me ’brother’ in bed sometime? Makes it feel deliciously forbidden, don’t you think?"

I nearly choked. "No one’s calling anyone anything in bed!" I hissed, fighting the heat that rushed through me at the images his words conjured. "And there is no ’we’ to have any forbidden relationship."

I needed to escape this conversation before I did something stupid like remembering how good his lips felt against mine. "I have to get to the hospital to check on my professor. This conversation is over."

"I’ll come with you," he offered immediately, straightening from his casual pose.

"Why would you do that?" I asked suspiciously.

"To see how she’s doing," he replied with such apparent sincerity that I nearly believed him.

I studied him, trying to decipher his real motivations. Damien Sterling didn’t do anything without purpose. He hadn’t reached his position as a powerful Alpha by making casual decisions.

As if sensing my skepticism, he added, "Our deal with Morrison’s project fell through. Blood Moon needs a new cornerstone project to stabilize our position. Your professor’s research has potential—I came to see if there might be partnership opportunities. If I can secure the core development rights, it would be beneficial for everyone involved."

His explanation sounded reasonable, plausible even. It explained his presence at the scientific conference and his interest in following me to the hospital.

I felt an odd mixture of relief and disappointment. Of course he was here for business reasons. The idea that he might have tracked me down because he was jealous of seeing me with another man—as Scarlett’s photos surely suggested—was ridiculous.

After all, we’d only shared one night together. One incredible, mind-blowing night that I couldn’t seem to forget, no matter how hard I tried.