Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 92 What gala？

Victoria’s POV

The private dining room’s atmosphere shifted as Damien took a seat beside me, his body radiating that primal Alpha heat that seemed to follow him everywhere.

"Wait a minute," I challenged, narrowing my eyes. "Did you actually have a reservation, or are you just crashing my dinner?"

After all, this private room was reserved under my name for Grace and me. Yet here sat Damien Sterling, looking utterly comfortable and entitled.

"This is Lancaster territory," he replied smoothly, his voice carrying that hint of a growl that made my wolf, Nora, stir inside me. "Is the Luna of Crescent Dawn Pack too stingy to buy dinner for a guest?"

"And what if I don’t want to buy you dinner?" I countered, my lips quirking despite myself.

Without missing a beat, he shrugged those broad shoulders. "Then I’ll buy you dinner instead."

I rolled my eyes, though Nora was practically preening under his attention. Traitor.

"What are you really doing in Lancaster territory, Damien?" I asked more seriously. "I doubt you crossed pack boundaries just for the cuisine."

His lips curved into that dangerous half-smile that made my stomach flip. "What if I said I came to see you?"

I gave a cold laugh, ignoring how my pulse jumped. "Would you expect me to believe that?"

Finally dropping the pretense, he leaned back in his chair. "There’s a gala in two days that you’re probably aware of. The richest human in the country invited powerful Alphas from around the world. When someone sends an invitation like that, you give them the courtesy of showing up."

I nodded, fully aware of the event. My grandfather had insisted I attend as the future Alpha of Crescent Dawn Pack. It would be my first public appearance since removing the enchanted bracelet that had masked my true nature for five years.

"What gala?" Grace asked beside me, her curiosity piqued. "Are you attending, Victoria?"

"Yes, I have to," I confirmed.

Grace’s eyes lit up with that familiar creative spark. "Let me design your gown! Trust me, I’ll make sure every wolf there recognizes you as the Alpha you are. You’ll leave them all breathless!"

"Thanks, Grace," I smiled, genuinely grateful. After years of deliberately downplaying my appearance to maintain my omega facade, I was ready to step into my power.

Grace turned her attention to Damien, giving him an appraising look. "What about you? Need my help too?"

Damien nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I could use something... appropriate."

"I don’t work for free," Grace warned him with a grin. "Market price for an Alpha-worthy design is two million."

Damien barely blinked at the exorbitant sum. "Done."

Grace looked delighted. I knew she was calculating how many designs she could create with that kind of budget. And admittedly, Damien was an excellent canvas for her work – tall, broad-shouldered, with that commanding presence that couldn’t be taught.

After lunch, I needed to return to the company. There were countless matters requiring my attention now that I was stepping into my role as Lancaster heir. Grace also needed to get started on our gowns with so little time before the event.

The night of the gala arrived quickly. Grace had Damien’s suit delivered to his hotel, while she personally supervised me getting ready at my home.

The gown she designed was breathtaking – an ombre watercolor masterpiece that shifted from pristine white at the bodice to a soft, shadowy black at the hem. Delicate ink-like splashes created the impression of stars dissolving into night. A layer of sheer organza overlay gave the whole creation an ethereal, mysterious quality.

This wasn’t a dress just anyone could wear. On the wrong person, the design would look overdone, cumbersome. But Grace had designed it specifically for me – for my height, my coloring, my presence.

"Wow, Grace," I breathed as I first saw it. "This is stunning."

"Try it on!" she urged, practically bouncing with excitement.

When I emerged from my dressing room, Grace actually clapped her hands together. "Perfect! That’s exactly what I envisioned!"

The dress transformed me into something from an ancient painting – a wolf goddess stepped from mythology into modern reality. Nora rumbled her approval deep inside me, feeling properly honored by the garment that would announce our status to the supernatural community.

"It’s like you stepped out of a dream," Grace sighed happily. "You’re going to be the most beautiful Alpha there."

"That’s only because you designed something so incredible," I replied honestly, admiring how the fabric moved like water around my legs.

I couldn’t help wondering what Grace had created for Damien. Men’s formal wear was often more challenging – limited to variations of suits, with fewer opportunities for creative expression. The color palette was usually restricted, the silhouettes conventional.

"What did you design for Damien?" I asked casually, trying to sound merely curious.

Grace gave me a knowing smile. "That’s a surprise. You’ll see him tonight. Just trust me, you’re getting one gorgeous Alpha!"

"What do you mean ’getting’? There’s nothing between us," I protested, even as my heart rate picked up traitorously.

"Oh please, you two are perfect together. Why not claim him?" she teased.

"Grace! What are you talking about?" I felt my cheeks warm.

"I’m just saying, he’s gorgeous, powerful, and clearly interested. Why not take him as your mate?" Grace waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"Just because a wolf is attractive doesn’t mean I should claim them," I argued, ignoring how Nora perked up at the mere thought of Damien as our mate.

Grace nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! Try them out, enjoy yourself! If it doesn’t work, find another. Don’t get stuck on one tree like..." She trailed off, but we both knew she meant Ethan.

"That’s rich coming from you," I deflected. "I don’t see you pursuing any handsome wolves yourself."

"Just watch me tonight," Grace declared with determination. "I’ll snag myself an Alpha to prove my point!"

We laughed together as Grace finished my makeup, creating a look that emphasized my natural features while adding just enough drama for the occasion. This would be my official debut as the Lancaster heir and future Alpha of Crescent Dawn Pack – I needed to shine.

When we arrived at the gala venue, the entrance was lined with luxury vehicles. Only the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in both human and supernatural worlds had received invitations.

Grace and I stepped out of my car together, and I heard another vehicle door close behind us.

"Victoria!" Damien’s deep voice sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.

I turned to see him, and my breath caught in my throat. "You..."

Damien was wearing a suit that perfectly complemented my gown – the same watercolor ombre effect, transitioning from light to dark. On anyone else, such a design would look ridiculous, but Damien wore it with natural authority.

His imposing height and broad shoulders filled out the suit perfectly. That innate Alpha dominance he carried made the unusual design look intentional, powerful. His dark hair was styled back, emphasizing his sculpted features – strong jawline, penetrating eyes, perfectly proportioned face that could have belonged to a deity rather than a mortal man.

"How’s this for two million?" Grace asked proudly, clearly pleased with her creation.

"Worth every penny," Damien acknowledged with a slight nod.

The implication was obvious – we looked like a mated pair in our coordinated attire.

Damien seemed pleased enough to add, "I’ll give you an extra million for exceeding expectations."

"I won’t say no to that!" Grace beamed.

"Grace!" I hissed. "Why did you design us matching outfits?"

Though I couldn’t deny how striking Damien looked, I was concerned about the message we’d send walking in together. The supernatural community would immediately assume we were either mated or courting.

"Don’t you think it looks good?" Grace asked innocently.

I averted my gaze from Damien’s intense stare. "It’s... adequate."

My wolf practically howled in protest at my lie. If Damien was merely "adequate," then no truly handsome males existed in the world. His presence alone commanded attention, radiating power and dominance that made other Alphas instinctively wary.

"Well, I think it looks fantastic," Grace announced. "Damien, if you need more custom designs in the future, call me. My prices aren’t cheap, but the results speak for themselves."

"I’ll have my assistant contact you," Damien agreed. "I’d like to commission an entire wardrobe."

"Excellent!" Grace was practically glowing at the prospect.

"Shall we head inside together?" Damien suggested, his eyes never leaving mine.

Despite my best efforts to appear unaffected, Nora was practically purring with satisfaction at having his full attention. Tonight, I felt truly myself for the first time in years – no more hiding my Alpha nature, no more suppressing my strength.

The dress Grace designed enhanced rather than concealed my power. I wasn’t just pretty tonight – I was regal, commanding, every inch the Alpha female I was born to be.

"We didn’t arrive together, so why should we enter together?" I challenged, striding ahead on my high heels.

Before I could get far, a familiar voice called out behind me.

"Victoria!"

I rubbed my temples in frustration. Ethan. Of course.

He had arrived with Mona as his plus-one, but the moment he spotted me, he practically shoved her aside. I could sense his wolf, Leon, going wild at the sight of me.

Around us, many female wolves were dressed in elaborate gowns, but I knew I outshone them all. Not from vanity, but because of the Alpha aura I no longer concealed – an energy that had been bottled up for five long years, now finally free.

"Victoria, you’re here too?" Ethan asked, his eyes never leaving me. "Are you with Damien?"

I could see the pain in his expression as he drank in my appearance. His wolf clearly mourned the loss of what he’d once taken for granted – when I had been his to touch, to hold, to claim. The mate he could have had, if he hadn’t betrayed me.

"Why would I be with him?" I replied coldly. "Am I not allowed to attend on my own merits?"

"Don’t joke around," Ethan scoffed, still clinging to his delusions about my status. "What credentials do you have to be invited to an event like this?"

I laughed harshly, enjoying the moment. "If a bastard wolf like you can be here, why wouldn’t the Lancaster heir and future Alpha of Crescent Dawn Pack have a place? ?"