Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 146 Childhood sweethearts?

Damien’s POV

Victoria accompanied William upstairs to rest, the two of them needing some private family conversation. While they spoke behind closed doors, I remained downstairs, my wolf Arthur growling with irritation at being separated from Victoria.

Patrick Wagner stood nearby, his smug expression grating on my nerves. The self-righteous bastard clearly believed I had ulterior motives for showing up tonight.

Of course I did—Victoria was my mate, whether she fully realized it yet or not.

But I hadn’t anticipated William’s extreme reaction. My wolf and I were genuinely concerned about the elder Alpha’s health.

I paced the marble foyer, debating whether to leave.

Something told me Victoria would come back down, and I needed to see her again.

Plus, if William’s condition worsened, I wanted to be here to rush him to the hospital immediately. The bond between Victoria and her grandfather was powerful—if anything happened to him because of me, she’d never forgive me.

The sound of determined footsteps pulled me from my thoughts as Patrick marched through the main house and out into the garden.

I stepped outside onto the driveway, leaning against my car as the cool night air carried his scent—the faint, sour tang of an inferior wolf trying to mask his desperation. He spotted me immediately.

"You’ve got some nerve still hanging around," Patrick snarled, his eyes flashing with challenge but not quite brave enough to shift. "Are you trying to give Alpha William a heart attack?"

I straightened my shoulders, keeping my voice even despite Arthur’s desire to put this beta in his place. "Funny, I think you’re the one trying to aggravate him with your manipulation. Do you really think the Lancasters can’t see through your pathetic games?"

Patrick’s lips curled into a cold smile.

"Doesn’t matter. Alpha Lancaster favors me, not you. He despises everyone with the Sterling name. As long as he’s around, you and Victoria will never happen." His voice took on a nostalgic tone that made my teeth clench. "Victoria and I grew up together. Childhood sweethearts. She used to tell me she’d be my bride someday."

"Childhood sweethearts?" I couldn’t help the derisive laugh that escaped. "Strange, I don’t see her showing the slightest romantic interest in you. Self-delusion is a dangerous thing, Wagner."

"We’ve simply grown apart temporarily," he insisted, his heartbeat quickening with the lie. "Once we spend more time together, once I show her how good I can be for her, Victoria will remember her feelings for me." He stepped closer, jabbing a finger toward my chest. "You should back off now. If you actually push Alpha Lancaster into a medical emergency, Victoria will never forgive you."

I hadn’t intended to upset William. I’d come here merely to meet him properly, to show respect to Victoria’s pack elder. The way things had escalated surprised even me.

"You’re quite talented at creating your own fantasy world," I observed. "Do you honestly think Victoria is foolish enough not to see through your transparent tactics?"

"Doesn’t matter what you think," Patrick replied smugly. "I’m the one staying here in the Lancaster estate. You’re the outsider. I’ll never give up on Victoria. I’ll spend my life making her happy while you remain nothing to her."

I rarely lost my temper. As Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, I’d cultivated iron control over my emotions. But Patrick Wagner’s face was genuinely testing my restraint. Arthur snarled beneath my skin, wanting to tear into this pretender who dared to stake a claim on our mate.

"Victoria feels nothing for you," I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "You and she will never happen."

"That’s not for you to decide, Mr. Sterling." Patrick’s smile dripped with arrogance, the kind that made my fists clench involuntarily.

I remained silent, battling the urge to shift and put this beta in his place. Some wolves only understand dominance.

Patrick noticed my expression and his smile widened. "What’s wrong? Want to hit me?" He taunted. "Go ahead. You’ve already attacked me once, haven’t you?"

"Hit me right here," he continued, pointing to his cheek. "What’s the matter? Not brave enough? I thought you hated me. I’m never giving Victoria up to you. Since you hate me so much, let me give you something to really be angry about."

Before I could react, Patrick slapped himself—hard. The crack echoed in the night air, leaving a red mark blooming across his face. His scent instantly sharpened, acrid with self-inflicted pain and manipulative intent.

"Not enough?" he taunted. Then he drove his fist into his own nose with shocking force. Blood immediately streamed down his face, the metallic scent filling the air.

"Mr. Sterling, I’ve done nothing to you," Patrick whimpered, suddenly switching to a victim’s tone while clutching his bleeding nose. "Why do you keep attacking me?"

Just then, the door opened, and Victoria’s sweet scent reached me before I saw her. She stepped onto the porch, her golden hair catching the moonlight as she surveyed the scene with confusion.

"What’s going on out here?" she demanded.

I stared at Patrick’s bleeding face, realization dawning. This manipulative wolf had just set me up perfectly. Arthur howled with frustration inside me.