Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 185 I no longer believed a word Patrick said

Victoria’s POV

I no longer believed a word Patrick said. My wolf Nora growled low in agreement, her distrust of this man radiating through our bond.

"Patrick," I said coldly, my fingers gripping my phone tightly, "you better pray my grandfather arrives safely at the territory." My tone was openly threatening, without any attempt to disguise it.

Patrick’s smile didn’t waver. "Victoria, you can trust William to my care. If anything happens to him, you can personally take a knife and slit my throat. Deal?"

After seeing grandfather off to the private airfield, anxiety crashed over me like a tidal wave. If not for the responsibilities weighing on Crescent Dawn Pack and the company needing my oversight, I would have dropped everything to accompany him. My wolf was equally restless, pacing anxiously in my mind, worried about our pack leader traveling alone.

If Patrick Wagner’s pack dared harm grandfather—the price they’d pay would be devastating. Even so, my wolf remained uneasy, her protective instincts on high alert.

Author’s POV

Dusk settled over the city, casting long shadows through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Felix’s private lounge. In this exclusive club where supernatural elites conducted business behind closed doors, the atmosphere was intimate and secretive.

Felix Morgan watched with growing concern as Damian downed his fourth whiskey of the afternoon, worry lines creasing the corners of his eyes. "Come on, man. You’ve been drinking for hours. What the hell happened? Say something."

Damian just stared at the amber liquid, his powerful shoulders tense beneath his tailored jacket.

The scene felt familiar to Felix. It had been less than a month since Damian’s last visit here to drown his sorrows. Felix would bet his entire club that this was Victoria Lancaster’s doing again.

"This is about Victoria, isn’t it?" Felix pressed. "What happened? Did she hurt you? Push you away? Did she dump you?"

"What the hell are you babbling about?" Damian growled, alcohol making his voice more gravelly and primal. His wolf Arthur was nearly stirring—never a good sign when Damian was drinking.

"Fine," Felix conceded, "but it’s definitely about Victoria. Did she break up with him? Wait—didn’t she recently have that car accident? Something about being saved by some childhood friend? Don’t tell me they’re together now?"

"That scheming bastard!" Damian roared, downing his drink in one gulp. Dangerous crimson flashed in his eyes—his wolf nature about to emerge. "He orchestrated that accident! He planned the whole thing!"

He gripped the crystal glass so tightly that veins bulged in his forearms, his knuckles turning white. Spider-web cracks appeared across the glass. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Felix startled, staring in horror at the expensive crystal. "Jesus, Damian! Your hand—are you hurt? Do we need to look at it?"

"It’s nothing," Damian said dismissively, though his voice turned unnaturally calm despite the fury still burning in his eyes.

"You’re obviously furious," Felix said, nervously glancing at the shattered glass. "If you know this guy did it, why not tell Victoria? Or we could confront him together—expose what a complete bastard he is. Victoria would believe you."

She already knew. She’d confronted him herself.

"So what’s the problem then?"

Damian’s sharp gaze locked onto Felix, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he asked, "Felix, what do you think of me?"

The sudden question caught Felix off guard. "You? Well..." He exhaled slowly. "Put it this way—if I were a woman, I’d probably want to marry you too. But as your friend, sometimes I want to strangle you because you’re a complete asshole."

Damian’s advantages were obvious—wealthy, incredibly powerful, devastatingly handsome, radiating irresistible charisma. But his cold, ruthless, vindictive nature made befriending him challenging. Only someone as thick-skinned as Felix could tolerate Damian Sterling at his worst.

Few knew the truth—beneath that commanding exterior lurked someone utterly alone. No family who cared, no friends except Felix. He could die in that mansion and no one might notice for days.

"You want to marry me?" Damian’s lips curved in a mocking smile.

Felix quickly clarified: "I said if I were a woman. If. Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not that type, and don’t you try anything with me."

Damian seemed not to hear him, letting out a bitter laugh from his throat. "Well, she doesn’t want to."

"Who? Victoria?"

"She said we’re just adults taking what we need from each other. She refused to be with me." The vulnerability in his voice was so unusual that Felix barely recognized his friend.

Felix was momentarily speechless. How could someone so formidable, so powerful in both business and supernatural circles, be so naive when it came to love?

"Listen," Felix said, "what’s wrong with two adults fulfilling each other’s needs? Even if her heart doesn’t belong to you yet, at least her body does. That’s a decent start."

"Shut up," Damian growled.

"See? You’re too greedy. You want her body and her heart. You think the heir to Crescent Dawn Pack would be so easily captured? Physical intimacy is just the beginning. As they say, it’s not ’love at first sight’ but ’love grows slowly over time.’ Keep her in your bed long enough and feelings will naturally develop."

Damian’s eyes flashed dangerously. "Say one more crude word and I’ll break your jaw."

Felix raised his hands in surrender. "Just kidding! But seriously, if she’s willing to keep seeing you, that’s definitely a good sign."

"My point stands. She wakes up every morning to your handsome face—how could she not fall for you? If Victoria really is your destined mate, then persist. Stay by her side. Maybe someday you’ll win her heart. Besides, I told you weeks ago you had feelings for her, but you denied it!"

Felix couldn’t help feeling validated in his judgment. His friend had finally admitted what had always been obvious.

"How exactly am I supposed to persist?" Damian asked bluntly, surprising Felix.

Felix blinked in disbelief. The powerful Damian Sterling, leader of the mysterious Blood Moon Pack, was actually seeking dating advice?

"Simple—ignore her protests, don’t take rejection to heart. Test her reactions. If she physically pushes you away or shows disgust at your presence, there might be no hope. But if she’s willing to talk to you, if she doesn’t mind your touch... then there’s definitely still hope."

"Really?" Damian looked skeptical, studying Felix as if he were a dubious strategist.

Felix confidently thumped his chest. "Trust me."