Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 99 It wasn’t a date

Damien’s POV

I was in a really good mood when I was alone with Victoria.

There are only two of us here.

I looked at her beautiful profile and my heart was racing.

Now, just look up, and you can see the most beautiful starry sky. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

At such a wonderful moment.

Maybe we should do something wonderful.

Like hugs, kisses... and even more.

I didn’t expect that.

When I reached out and tried to hug her.

But then she said, "We should head back down."

"Grace has been texting me, wondering where I disappeared to."

"Of course," I replied, reluctantly standing. Arthur growled his disapproval inside me—he’d been enjoying our time alone with the beautiful Alpha female.

We descended together back into the crowded ballroom, which had grown even more packed during our absence. The air was thick with mingled scents—wolves from at least a dozen different territories were present now, all of them looking to form alliances, negotiate treaties, or find mates.

Victoria spotted Grace by the dessert table and made her way over, with me following closely behind. I couldn’t help but notice how other wolves tracked her movement across the room—like predators watching prey, though Victoria was anything but prey.

When Grace caught sight of us arriving together, her lips curled into a knowing smile.

"Well, well," she teased, her eyes darting between us. "And where exactly have you two been sneaking off to? Don’t tell me you weren’t on a romantic little rendezvous."

"It wasn’t a date," Victoria protested, though I noticed her cheeks flush slightly. "We just found somewhere quiet to escape all this... attention. More importantly, where did you get that jacket? And what happened with that handsome wolf you mentioned?"

Grace was clutching a man’s black blazer to her chest like a trophy. I hadn’t noticed it until Victoria pointed it out.

"Oh my God, you missed everything!" Grace’s excitement was palpable as she launched into her story. "So there I was, standing alone after you vanished, when some drunk Beta knocked into me and spilled red wine all over my dress. Before I could even react, this absolutely gorgeous man appeared out of nowhere with his jacket, offering it to cover the stain. Such a gentleman! His eyes, Vic—you should have seen them. Like something straight out of a romance novel."

"Did you at least get his name?" Victoria asked, genuinely interested in her friend’s excitement.

"Of course I did! His name is Brian Gillies. And get this—he said you two know each other. Something about you helping him once?"

"Brian?" Victoria’s expression brightened with recognition. "Yes, I know him. He’s a good man, genuinely decent."

"Right? He’s absolutely dreamy," Grace gushed. "Tell me you agree he’s stunning."

Victoria nodded. "He is quite handsome, I’ll give you that."

I felt my jaw tighten involuntarily. Arthur growled deep in my chest. Handsome? Brian Gillies was average at best—too pretty, not enough strength in his features. The wolf in me wanted to challenge anyone Victoria found attractive.

I remained silent while the two friends chatted enthusiastically, standing beside them like a sentinel. Arthur was restless beneath my skin, not liking how Victoria praised another male’s appearance so freely.

We’d been standing there for several minutes when a tall, lean man approached our group. "Victoria?" he called out.

I glanced at him dismissively. Another suitor, no doubt. The night had been full of them—wolves seeking connections to the Crescent Dawn Pack through its newly revealed heiress. Victoria had rejected them all so far, and I expected this one to receive the same treatment.

"Patrick?" Victoria’s voice held genuine surprise and—what was that?—pleasure?

My attention snapped fully to the interaction, my senses suddenly on high alert.

"I can’t believe you remember me," the man said, a wide smile spreading across his face. "It’s been what... five years since we last saw each other?"

Victoria nodded eagerly. "At least! You went overseas, and I moved back to Crescent territory. You’ve changed so much—you’re taller, broader... you grew up well!"

I studied this Patrick more carefully now. He was well-dressed, confident, and looking at Victoria with unmistakable interest. Arthur’s hackles raised as I picked up the scent of another Alpha—not as powerful as mine, but significant enough to be a threat.

"You haven’t changed a bit," Patrick said warmly. "Still as beautiful as ever." His eyes flicked to me, taking in our matching attire before asking, "Is this your mate?"

Victoria glanced at me, and I fixed her with a challenging stare. After all her claims to other wolves tonight that she was already mated, I wanted to hear what she would say to this... old friend.

She hesitated, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. "No," she finally answered, not meeting my eyes.

I felt a surge of displeasure so intense that Arthur nearly broke through my control. My wolf didn’t appreciate her denial after spending the evening at my side.

Patrick’s scent shifted subtly—satisfaction and something more predatory. "I was worried I’d missed my chance. Do you remember when we were pups, and you promised to be my mate someday?"

Victoria looked embarrassed. "That was ages ago—"

"You stood up for me when I was the runt of the pack," Patrick continued, not letting her finish. "When those other pups said no one would ever want me as a mate, you declared you’d marry me yourself someday. I never forgot that."

His words were aimed at Victoria, but his eyes flicked briefly to me—a clear challenge. This wasn’t innocent reminiscing; this was territorial marking.

"I got here late and have been looking everywhere for you," Patrick said smoothly. "Would you join me for a drink? We have so much catching up to do."

Victoria nodded. "I’d like that. It has been a very long time."

I watched them walk away together, my expression carefully controlled while Arthur raged inside me. The wolf wanted to follow, to insert himself between them, to remind everyone present who Victoria had been with all evening.

"Do you know that man?" I asked Grace.