Chapter 3

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.