Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 143 My blood boiled

Damien’s POV

I watched as Damien’s eyes narrowed, his wolf Arthur bristling beneath the surface as he took in the scene before him. Victoria and Patrick, standing far too close, her delicate frame practically enveloped in his embrace. His hand rested possessively on her waist, their bodies touching with barely any space between them.

My blood boiled. Arthur clawed at my consciousness, demanding to be released.

Victoria’s eyes widened when she noticed me, surprise flickering across her face before she hastily pushed away from Patrick. She looked guilty, as if I’d caught her doing something she shouldn’t.

"Damien, what are you doing here?" Victoria stepped back, creating deliberate distance between herself and Patrick. The subtle movement wasn’t lost on me.

"Have I interrupted something?" My voice emerged cold as ice, each word dripping with barely contained fury. "Should I come back later when you’re less... occupied?"

Patrick’s eyes darted between Victoria and me. The recognition was immediate—he knew exactly who I was from that night at the club. Male instinct, perhaps, but I could tell he viewed me as competition. My wolf sneered at the thought. There was no competition. Only a pretender.

"You’ve misunderstood," Victoria said, her voice steady despite the rapid flutter of her pulse that my heightened senses detected.

"Have I?" I challenged, stepping closer. "What exactly have I misunderstood?"

I’d spent days trying to see her again. This morning, I’d knocked on her door only to find her apartment empty. Assuming she might be visiting her grandfather, I’d come here bearing gifts, hoping for a moment alone with her. Instead, I’d walked straight into this little scene.

The thought of them together made Arthur snarl within me. If Victoria wanted physical pleasure, why not come to me? Our bodies had proven perfectly compatible. The memory of her beneath me, her sweet scent filling my lungs as she called my name, nearly made me lose control right there.

And if she wanted a relationship, was I not better than this man in every conceivable way? In looks, in power, in wealth—in everything a mate could desire. First that worthless Ethan, and now this interloper. What was wrong with her judgment?

"I was just admiring the flowers when—" Victoria began, but Patrick cut her off.

"I don’t believe Victoria owes you any explanations," Patrick interjected, his tone grating on my last nerve. "Victoria and I have our own relationship. If you’re here to see William, he’s inside. Mrs. Spring, please escort this gentleman to the house."

The way he spoke—like he owned the place, like he had any right to give orders in Victoria’s family home—made my wolf snap its teeth in anger.

"Correct me if I’m wrong," I said with deadly calm, "but this is the Lancaster estate, not the Wagner residence. Strange how some people stay as guests for a couple of days and start acting like they own the property." My gaze shifted to Victoria. "Does he speak for you now? Has he claimed that right?"

Patrick’s face hardened. "I’m not just a guest. William invited me to stay here. You were disrespectful to Victoria before, and she only tolerated it because you’re supposedly her friend. But this is the Lancaster home—if you cause any trouble and upset William, will you take responsibility for the consequences?"

I turned my attention back to Victoria, ignoring him completely. "Do you allow just anyone to speak so freely in your home? Or have you two become... family already?"

The weight of my gaze made Victoria’s breath catch. Good. I wanted her to feel the intensity of my displeasure.

She squared her shoulders, meeting my eyes directly. "Patrick’s parents are friends with my grandfather. He’s staying here temporarily. There’s nothing inappropriate about that."

"Ah, temporarily," I nodded, a cold smile spreading across my face. "I thought Mr. Wagner had already assumed the position of man of the house. My mistake. Though it seems he hasn’t quite figured out his place yet. Victoria, you really should be more careful about the company you keep. Some people pretend to be more than they are and only end up being an annoyance."

"You—this is the Lancaster home! You’re being incredibly disrespectful!" Patrick’s voice rose, his composure cracking around the edges.

"Am I? I haven’t laid a hand on you. I’m merely speaking the truth. It seems I’ve struck a nerve, Mr. Wagner. Embarrassed by your own behavior, perhaps?"

I stood tall, letting my natural dominance flow through my posture. While Patrick was visibly agitated, I remained perfectly controlled, my anger a cold, calculated force. The difference between us was obvious—he lacked the discipline of a true Alpha.

"What’s going on here?" William Lancaster’s voice cut through the tension as he emerged from the house, his eyes sharp despite his age.

The housekeeper quickly explained, "Sir, Mr. Sterling is here to see you."

"Sterling?" William’s expression immediately darkened. The Lancaster patriarch clearly had no love for anyone bearing my family name after what Ethan had done to his granddaughter.

I approached with respect, offering the gifts I’d brought. "Good afternoon, sir. I’m Damien Sterling."

I deliberately used the familial term "sir" rather than his name, showing proper deference while establishing a connection.

Before William could respond, Victoria stepped between us. "Grandfather, this is my friend. We need to talk privately for a moment."

She grabbed my arm, her touch sending electricity through my skin as she pulled me away from the house. Arthur rumbled with pleasure at her touch, even if it was meant to remove me from the situation.

Once we were out of earshot, Victoria turned on me. "Why are you here causing trouble again?"

"Causing trouble? Is that what you call it?" I leaned closer, inhaling her sweet scent. "Did I really interrupt something special between you two?"

"If you’re so convinced there’s something between Patrick and me, then maybe there is," she said with a challenging gleam in her eye. "If we do end up together, I’ll be sure to invite you to the wedding."

I could see the mischief dancing in her eyes. She was deliberately provoking me, and surprisingly, my mood lightened at her playfulness. The tension in my shoulders eased slightly, Arthur settling down beneath my skin.

My jaw clenched as I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You wouldn’t dare. I make it a point never to attend the weddings of my one-night stands."