Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother

Victoria's POV

"Harder, Ethan! God! Ah..."

"Fuck me harder! Wreck me!"

"I'm about to come!"

I froze outside Ethan's door, my hand suspended mid-air. The sweet anniversary card in my pocket suddenly felt like lead against my chest.

No. This can't be happening.

But that voice piercing through the door was unmistakable-Scarlett. My best friend of three years. The same voice that had wished me luck on my "big day" just hours ago.

My wolf Nora stirred restlessly, a low growl building in my chest. The silver bracelet around my wrist grew warm, working overtime to suppress what I truly was.

Breathe, Victoria. Just breathe.

The rhythmic pounding against the wall continued, each thud like a hammer to my ribs.

After what felt like an eternity, Scarlett's breathless voice cut through my shock like a blade.

"Ethan, are you this wild when you sleep with that pathetic omega too?"

My heart stopped.

"You think I'd waste my time on her?" Ethan's laugh was cold, vicious. "She actually believes I'm waiting till marriage. That clueless little Omega thinks she's special."

"God, you're so much better than her boyfriend material," Scarlett purred. "Being with you is when I truly feel alive."

Their cruel laughter shattered something deep inside me.

The sweet chocolate cookies I'd baked for our anniversary slipped from my trembling hands, the tin crashing against the floor and scattering pieces across the hallway. The scent of cocoa filled the air, sharp and cloying-mocking the sweetness that was supposed to celebrate our love.

My wolf, Nora, let out a furious snarl inside me, thrashing against the chains of the magic silver bracelet coiled around my wrist. Her rage pulsed in my veins like liquid fire, demanding release-demanding blood.

But the bracelet held firm, its runes glowing faintly, suppressing everything that made me who I truly was.

I was no Omega.Never had been.

That had always been my greatest secret.

"When are you finally going to tell her about us?" Scarlett purred, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "She still doesn't know that her perfect little boyfriend has been fucking her best friend for years."

Each word hit harder than claws across flesh, shredding what was left of my heart.

"Soon," Ethan promised between moans. "I just need to secure my position in the North Creek pack first. Once I'm officially recognized as Lawrence's son, I'll have the status to dump that omega trash."

Five years of love and devotion crumbled in an instant.

My knuckles turned white as I clenched my fists, the urge to storm in and tear those two apart burning through my veins like wildfire.

Heartache gripped my throat, suffocating me. Every instinct screamed for destruction, for recklessness.

But I couldn't.

Nora's rage surged inside me, merging with mine. I felt my inner white wolf thrashing wildly against her magical bonds. Trembling, I touched the enchanted bracelet on my wrist-the very thing that hid who I truly was.

I thought I'd found someone who would love me for who I am-not as the Lancaster heiress, not for my rare white wolf lineage. But I was wrong. So terribly wrong.

I drew a slow, deep breath and forced my hands to relax. As the future Alpha of the Crescent Dawn Pack and successor to the family empire, I knew what had to come first. There were far greater things at stake now.

My gaze hardened like steel. Pulling out my phone, I dialed a number I knew by heart.

"Grandfather," I said, my voice steady-surprisingly so. "Call off the wedding. There's no need to continue the preparations."

I had planned to reveal everything to Ethan today-my true identity, the proposal... all of it. On our fifth anniversary.

Now, none of that mattered anymore.

"Victoria?" Grandpa's voice sharpened with concern. "What happened?"

"I'll explain later," I managed to say before hanging up.

The moment I ended the call, an aggressive blend of cedarwood and amber invaded my senses, overwhelming every other scent around me. It carried an indescribable power that sent my blood racing, as if something had struck deep into my very soul.

What was happening?

An instinctual, irresistible urge seized me. Almost involuntarily, I followed the trail of that scent. It pulled me like an invisible thread, leading me across streets until I stopped in front of an opulently decorated club-the infamous *Midnight Howl*, owned by the notorious Sterling family.

Without hesitation, I pushed the door open. The blaring music and the crowded space seemed to fade into nothingness. All my senses were locked onto that distinct cedarwood-amber fragrance.

My gaze cut through the swaying lights and shadows, zeroing in on the most secluded private booth in the club.

A man sat there.

Even seated, he commanded the space like its absolute center. His tall frame exuded an imposing presence, and his impeccably tailored black suit emphasized his broad shoulders and narrow waist-a perfect V-shape. His thick, dark brown hair was styled with deliberate carelessness, and his sharply carved features could only be described as aggressively handsome. Below his straight nose were sensual lips, and his jawline was clean and defined. His eyes, a piercing gray-blue in the dim lighting, were already fixed on me.

I recognized him-Damian Sterling, Ethan's half-brother.

As he rose and began walking toward me, Nora, the presence I had long suppressed in my mind, erupted into a frenzy.

*"Mate!"*

Her voice was no longer a muffled restlessness or a whisper. It transformed into a crystal-clear declaration, ringing with undeniable ecstasy and certainty, exploding deep within my soul.

*"fated mate!"*

Though Damien was Ethan's cousin, I had rarely crossed paths with him. The last time we met was before I turned eighteen.

Later, whatever I knew of him came only through social media-through those outrageous scandals he was often involved in.

Damn it. This was absurd. How could he, of all people, be my fated mate?

"If it isn't my brother's little omega," he drawled, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "On such a lovely evening, what brings you out instead of being with him?"

"Your brother," I said, my voice steady despite the alcohol, "is currently fucking my best friend six ways to Sunday."

Surprise flickered across his features, then his expression shifted to something unreadable. "And you're here because...?"

I leaned closer, taking in the full impact of his scent-smoky cedar and midnight roses-which made both me and my wolf restless. I was absolutely certain I wanted him!

"One night," I whispered, now close enough that my lips nearly brushed his ear. "No strings attached. No expectations. "

As I pulled back, he caught my wrist, his thumb brushing over the silver bracelet. He smiled-a predatory smile that made my heart race.

"One night," he agreed, amusement threading through his voice, "to help you forget my worthless brother."

He led me toward the private elevator to his penthouse suite, pressing his lips to mine-dominant, burning hot...

Damian's Pov

I could feel her trembling slightly under my touch.

I was acutely aware that she was offering herself to me not out of affection, but for revenge, to vent her emotions. I didn't care. I'd wanted her since the moment I first saw her at a family gathering three years ago, when Ethan paraded her around like a trophy.

Even then, when she'd barely spoken a word, I was already falling for her. But her eyes held no place for me. I never made a move, only watched her from afar in secret.

I just never imagined she would come to me willingly.

The elevator doors closed behind us, and instantly she pressed against me, her lips finding mine with desperate hunger. I tasted the sweet liquor on her tongue as my hands found her waist, pulling her closer.

"Are you sure?" I asked, breaking the kiss. I needed to hear her say it.

She didn't respond with words, only silenced me with another kiss. Her inexperienced technique was already driving me wild.

The elevator chimed open to my penthouse, and I lifted her up, her legs wrapping around my waist as I carried her inside. Her lips never left mine, hungry and demanding.

I pressed her against the wall, grinding against her, letting her feel how much I wanted her.

"Bedroom," she breathed against my mouth, her hands already working the buttons of my shirt.

I carried her there, laying her down on the black silk sheets before stepping back to remove my shirt. Her eyes darkened as she took in my chest, my abs, the trail of hair leading down to my pants.

"You look perfect," she whispered, sitting up to pull her own top over her head. Her lace bra barely contained her full breasts, and the sight made my mouth water.

I growled, moving toward her and capturing her mouth again. My hands found her breasts, squeezing, teasing her nipples through the delicate fabric until she arched against me, moaning. I unhooked her bra, revealing perfect round breasts topped with rosy peaks that begged for my attention.

I took one nipple into my mouth, sucking hard while my hands worked the button of her jeans. She gasped, fingers tangling in my hair, pressing me tight against her chest.

"Please," she begged, helping me push down her jeans and panties. "I need to feel you."

I quickly shed my remaining clothes, watching her eyes widen as she saw my hardened length, ready for her.

"Damn, you're big," she whispered, reaching for me.

I caught her hand, bringing it to my lips. I moved between her legs, trailing kisses down her stomach until I reached her core. She was already wet for me, her sweet scent driving me crazy. I ran my tongue through her folds, finding her clit and circling it slowly.

"Oh God," she moaned, her hips bucking against my mouth.

I slid one finger inside her, then another, feeling how tight she was. Too tight. I looked up, suddenly realizing.

"Victoria," I said hoarsely, "are you a virgin?"

Her eyes flew open, a blush spreading across her cheeks. "Does it matter?"

Arthur howled with primal satisfaction inside me. My brother, that fool, had never fully claimed her. She would be mine-only mine.

"It matters," I said, moving up to kiss her again, this time more gently. "I promise I'll make it feel good."

I reached for protection from the nightstand, rolling it on before positioning myself between her thighs, pressing against her entrance.

She shook her head, pulling me closer. "Please, Damian. Give it to me!"

I pushed forward slowly, feeling her stretch around me. She winced, nails digging into my back. I stopped, letting her adjust.

"Breathe, beautiful," I murmured, kissing her neck, her jaw, her lips. "Just breathe."

When she relaxed, I pushed deeper, one smooth stroke breaking through her barrier. She cried out, and I swallowed the sound with my mouth, kissing her deeply while staying still inside her.

"Incredible," I groaned, fighting every instinct to move. "So tight, so perfect."

After a moment, she began moving beneath me, hips rising to meet mine. I took the hint and started moving, slow and shallow at first, gradually deepening as her discomfort transformed into pleasure.

"More," she gasped, legs wrapping around my waist. "Harder."

I complied, thrusting into her with increased force, watching her face transform with pleasure. Head thrown back, lips parted, eyes half-closed-she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

"That's it," I encouraged as she began meeting my thrusts. "Ah! Fuck me harder!"

Her words drove me even wilder. I changed our position, pulling her on top of me without breaking our connection. She gasped at the new angle, hands braced on my chest, and began riding me.

"Oh fuck," she moaned, her hips finding a rhythm that had us both gasping.

"Damian, I-I'm close."

I reached between us, my thumb finding her clit and circling it as she moved. "Come for me, Victoria," I commanded, feeling my own release building. "Let me feel you."

She shattered above me, her inner walls clamping down on my length as she cried out my name. Watching her fall apart pushed me over the edge, and I thrust up hard, growling as I emptied myself into the protection.

She collapsed onto my chest, both of us breathing heavily.

Victoria's POV

When I woke up, my body ached in places I never knew could hurt. Memories from last night came flooding back-the wild abandon, pleasure so intense it bordered on pain, the way Damian had possessed me, owned me completely.

I shifted slightly, realizing I was still nestled in his arms, his body radiating warmth against mine. Looking up, I saw his face relaxed in sleep, impossibly handsome with those sharp jawlines and long lashes.

The resemblance to Ethan was there, but barely-like a superior version of the man I thought I'd loved. Where Ethan was handsome, Damian was devastating. Where Ethan was charming, Damian was magnetic.

I had devoted five years of my youth to Ethan, remaining faithful and true, only to discover it was all an elaborate lie. And now, after a single reckless night, I wound up in his half-brother's bed.

I felt no regret.

Not an ounce. My body had experienced intense physical pleasure.

But I had no intention of removing the bracelet to reveal my true nature-because that would mean Damien would sense me too. I wanted nothing to do with him, or the entire Sterling family.

I tried to slip away from his embrace, but before I could escape, his arms tightened around me, pulling me back against his chest.

"Leaving so soon?" His voice was low and husky with sleep, sending shivers down my spine.

I looked up, meeting his intense gaze-those dark eyes studying me with something more complex than simple morning-after interest.

"I thought that's how one-night stands worked," I replied, heat rising to my cheeks as I remembered how thoroughly he'd claimed me.

His lips curved into a lazy smile. "I was hoping you might want an encore."

His hand traced patterns on my bare back, making clear thought difficult. "Besides," he continued, "after five years with my brother and still being a virgin, I'm curious-was he really that incompetent, or were you saving yourself for someone better?"

I blushed deeper, remembering his surprise when he'd discovered I was untouched. "Ethan and I... we never went all the way. I wanted to wait until we were officially mated."

"His loss," Damian murmured, his fingers now tracing the curve of my hip. "My gain."

I struggled to maintain composure. "It was just one night, remember? I needed to forget, you helped. We're even."

"Are we?" Damian's voice dropped to a register so low it seemed like temptation crawling up from hell's depths. His eyes darkened several shades, that dangerous look making my wolf Nora growl uneasily within me.

He slowly slid his hand toward my inner thigh, moving with the predatory grace that made every inch of contact set my skin ablaze. I gasped, my body involuntarily tensing.

"Because I think," he whispered against my ear, teeth grazing my earlobe, "we're just getting started."

Before I could form any protest-not that I really wanted to refuse-his lips claimed mine with dominant force. The kiss was filled with primal possession.

His inner wolf, sent silent calls to Nora through our skin contact. The sensation was so intense I felt myself teetering on the edge of losing control.

In one fluid motion, he spun me around, pressing me against the bathroom wall, my hands pinned above my head by his single grip. Damian's other hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me tight against his body. I could feel every inch of his muscles coiled and ready.

"Do you like it when I take you like this?" he growled between kisses, his voice so hoarse it barely sounded like him.

I opened my mouth but couldn't voice any refusal. Instead, I found myself trembling under his touch, craving more.

He seemed to take my silence as permission, his movements becoming more wild. His fingers felt like they carried flames, leaving trails of heat wherever they touched.

As he explored my most sensitive areas, all my protests transformed into uncontrollable moans.

Damian's every movement was precise and powerful-he knew my body like he was familiar with his own territory. My legs began to weaken, and if not for his strong arms supporting me, I might have collapsed.

Time seemed to stop in that small space. I lost track of how long it lasted, only knowing that the sensations Damian brought swept through my entire body like a storm. Once, twice, then a third time... my consciousness began to blur, my body no longer my own.

"You can take more," his voice echoed in my ear with almost cruel confidence. "Come for me again."

I wanted to shake my head, to tell him I'd reached my limit, but my body betrayed my rational mind, climbing toward another peak under his control.

When the final wave of pleasure passed, I nearly lost consciousness. My vision edges began to darken, limbs powerless, only able to lean weakly against Damian's chest. His heartbeat was strong and steady, contrasting sharply with my own frantic pulse.

"Looks like my little she-wolf needs some rest."

Later, much later, I woke again to find the bed beside me empty. There was a note on the pillow: "Had to leave for business. Until next time."

Below it lay a credit card. Like I was some kind of escort he'd paid for services.

I snapped the card in half and threw it in the trash, anger replacing the pleasant afterglow.

Beside the bed, I found a bag containing new clothes-including underwear in exactly my size. How did he know? Had he examined my discarded clothes that carefully? The thought made me blush again, but this time with indignation.

I quickly dressed in the provided clothes, then checked my phone. The news hit me like a physical blow.

Headlines everywhere: "Sterling and Sutton Family Alliance" and "Perfect Match: Ethan Sterling and Scarlett Sutton Announce Marriage After Three-Year Romance."

The accompanying photos showed them in engagement attire, looking radiant. The article mentioned a grand ceremony planned for two months later, celebrating their "long-term relationship."

Three years. They'd been together for three years-exactly as long as Scarlett had been my "friend." While I'd faithfully waited for Ethan, saving myself for him, he'd been building a life with someone else.

My phone rang-Grandpa.

"Victoria," his warm voice came through, cautious and concerned. "Are you coming home for dinner today?"

He'd seen the news too. Of course he had.

"Yes," I replied, needing the comfort of family now.

Grandpa's estate in the suburbs was massive-an entire hillside he'd purchased and developed into luxury residences, with his at the center. When I arrived, he immediately embraced me.

"My precious granddaughter," he said, holding me tight. "How I've missed you."

After dinner, sitting in his study, he finally brought up the subject. "Victoria, about Ethan Sterling..."

"It's over," I said, surprised that saying it now barely hurt. The betrayal still stung, but the heartache felt distant, as if Damian had indeed helped me forget.

"That worthless boy will live to regret this," Grandpa's eyes flashed with cold intensity. "How dare he hurt my granddaughter like this? I'll make sure he learns his lesson the hard way. No one treats a Lancaster this way."

While the Northstream Pack had some influence, they were nothing compared to the Crescent Dawn Pack under Grandpa's command. In the northern territories, only the mysterious Blood Moon Pack could truly rival our Crescent Dawn Pack - all other packs were no match for us.

As the designated heir to Crescent Dawn Pack and future Alpha, I held a position that commanded respect across all territories.

I shook my head firmly. "There's no need for you to intervene, Grandpa. I'll handle Ethan myself. Don't worry - when this is over, I won't be the one left picking up the pieces."

He looked at me with tender concern. "If you had revealed your status as my heir from the beginning, that Sutton girl wouldn't have even qualified to compete with you."

He was absolutely right.

"This way, I saw his true character," I replied with a slight smile. "Better now than after mating."

"Then perhaps it's time to announce who you really are," he suggested. "Come with me to the gala next week. I'll introduce you as my heir and let that Sterling boy choke on his regret."

I considered it. Maybe it was time to stop hiding.