Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother-Chapter 188 Unless I come with you

Victoria’s POV

I cleared my throat, my wolf Nora restless beneath my skin. "Aren’t you supposed to make me breakfast? Let’s eat. I have a lot to do today."

"You’re not going anywhere dressed like that," Damian growled low, his eyes blazing with possessiveness that made my inner wolf stir. "Unless I come with you."

"And why exactly would you be following me around?" I raised an eyebrow, challenging him.

"To protect you." The smoky cedar scent around him intensified as he moved closer. "What if someone like Patrick tries to take advantage of you again? Someone as trusting as you needs protection."

Fury flared within me, Nora roaring in response. "I don’t trust anyone! And I certainly won’t be fooled easily again."

That painful Chapter was behind me—a dark period I had no desire to revisit.

Contrary to Damian’s assumption, I didn’t consider myself some helpless omega who fell for every trick.

"Of course not," Damian’s mouth curved into that infuriating half-smile. "You’re intelligent. I’m just concerned about others having ulterior motives toward you."

"If anyone has ulterior motives, it’s definitely you," I narrowed my eyes in response. "Perhaps you’re the one I should really be wary of."

"Victoria, I’m the last person in this world who would hurt you." The intensity in his voice made my mate bond flutter, though he couldn’t feel it yet due to my concealment magic.

I snorted, unwilling to be swayed by sweet words. "The only person in this world I completely trust is my grandfather. Ethan said the exact same things countless times. Men’s promises are worthless."

"Easy to say," Damian acknowledged seriously. "Actions matter more. Time will prove everything."

I suppressed the urge to argue back. I’d sworn to myself that if I ever believed another man’s empty promises again, I’d be a complete fool. My wolf whimpered softly, seeming to protest my harsh assessment of her mate.

"Let’s eat," Damian said, gesturing toward the dining area.

We approached the table where Damian had set out breakfast. I took one glance and struggled to keep my expression neutral. The food looked... adequate at best.

"Even rogue wolves would turn their noses up at this," I commented after taking an exploratory bite. My keen palate detected every flaw.

What I’d assumed was protein-rich porridge turned out to contain poorly processed meat strips with a lingering gamey taste that even wolves would find off-putting. The eggs were charred around the edges, and I bit into a piece of eggshell. The sides were mediocre at best.

Damian didn’t take offense, merely shrugged. "I can make something else, or order takeout. Which would you prefer?"

"This will do," I replied, continuing to eat despite the subpar quality. I wasn’t being deliberately difficult—the food truly was barely palatable.

However, the fact that the mysterious Blood Moon Pack leader Damian Sterling had bothered to cook at all was noteworthy. Most pack leaders considered such tasks beneath their dignity.

"You shouldn’t settle for mediocrity," Damian observed as I picked at my food halfheartedly. "Life’s too short. Ordering better food isn’t difficult, and starting the day with a terrible meal puts you in a bad mood."

"What’s affecting my mood isn’t the food," I countered, swallowing another bite. "It’s you disrupting my morning routine."

I hadn’t eaten dinner the night before, and hunger gnawed at my stomach. Despite Damian’s questionable culinary skills, wasting food went against pack values. I could only eat what was edible.

"How could I possibly disturb you?" A mischievous glint flickered in Damian’s eyes. "Unless you find my presence... distracting? Some might say I’m quite a feast for the eyes."

"Wow. Do your business partners know their powerful Alpha has the thickest skin in the supernatural world?" I couldn’t help but laugh.

"They don’t need to know everything about me," he replied, his gaze lingering on my lips. "Hurry up and eat. I’ll drive you to the office."

"My car’s in the parking garage. I can drive myself," I insisted.

"I told you—I’m keeping an eye on you today."

I pressed my lips together in frustration. Just days ago we’d been at each other’s throats, and now he was acting like my personal chauffeur? The whiplash change in our relationship left me emotionally off-balance.

Before heading to the office, Damian insisted I change clothes. While he clearly loved that dress on me—judging by his darkened pupils, perhaps too much—he obviously didn’t want others seeing me in it.

When I stubbornly refused, he leaned close, his warm breath ghosting across my ear. "If you’re so fond of wearing it, save it for when we’re alone together."

A shiver raced down my spine that had nothing to do with air conditioning. I quickly went back to change into a well-tailored business suit before we could leave.

During the drive, Damian mentioned casually, "Ethan’s being released soon. Did you know?"

"I hadn’t heard," I answered honestly, my stomach clenching at the mention of my ex. "He’s getting out that quickly?"

Damian nodded, his jaw tightening as he kept his eyes fixed on the road. "Lawrence pulled every string and threw money at the problem until it disappeared."

"Makes sense," I said, watching buildings blur past the window. "Lawrence only has two sons. Since you’re not being a dutiful heir, he needs Ethan back in the family fold."

"How am I not fulfilling my duties?" Damian asked with mock offense.

"Then go be Lawrence’s perfect son," I challenged with a mocking smile.

Damian fell silent, and I knew I’d hit a nerve. His complicated relationship with his father was infamous in pack circles.

"If you’re worried," he said finally, "I can ensure Ethan stays locked up forever. He can rot in there if you’d prefer."

I turned to study his profile carefully. "I don’t care either way. Whether he’s free or imprisoned makes no difference to me. Are you worried he’ll come after me again?"

"Possibly," Damian admitted, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.

I considered this, Nora stirring restlessly within me. "You should be more concerned about yourself. Ethan’s current situation is partly your doing. You were the one who... took away his ability to have children. When he gets out, I imagine he’ll come for you first. You’d better watch yourself."

"Am I detecting some concern?" Damian’s mouth curved slightly upward.

"Hardly," I snorted. "I just don’t want you blaming me when he comes looking for trouble."

"If I wanted to blame you, you couldn’t escape my reach anyway," he stated matter-of-factly.

I couldn’t help but laugh. "What are you, some kind of outlaw?"

"Yes," he replied without hesitation, completely serious.

I fell silent, unsure how to respond to such blunt honesty.

We reached Crescent Dawn headquarters faster than expected, though my penthouse wasn’t far from the office building. Still, the journey felt unusually brief, perhaps because we’d been chatting the entire way.

As I prepared for work, Damian arranged for people to monitor Ethan’s situation. This protective gesture, while unwelcome, stirred something deep within me that I wasn’t ready to acknowledge.