Chapter 42

Victoria’s POV:

I covered my face with my hands, unable to believe Damian Sterling was actually standing there. My wolf Nora bristled within me, both agitated and strangely pleased by his appearance.

Damian strode over with that confidence that always made my heart race, casually taking a seat beside me, his body radiating heat that my wolf instinctively craved.

“Am I interrupting something?” he asked, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.

Alexander shook his head. “Not at all. And you are p>

“I’m her ex-boyfriend’s brother,” Damian replied smoothly, his eyes never leaving my face. “You two look quite familiar. I didn’t know Victoria had friends like you. What exactly is happening here p>

The territorial undertone in his voice was undeniable. My wolf perked up, sensing the dominant Alpha energy rolling off him in waves.

“We’re on a blind date,” Alexander answered with a casual smile that made me want to kick him under the table. “Victoria’s just being shy, but we’ve actually decided to start dating. Our first official date is tomorrow p>

These two men were playing some kind of game, and I was caught in the middle. I wanted to disappear into the floor. Why did I suddenly feel guilty, as if I’d been caught cheating? Damian and I weren’t even together—I had nothing to feel guilty about.

But Nora whimpered and paced anxiously within me, clearly distressed by the idea of pairing with anyone other than Damian.

When I heard Alexander’s blatant lie, I could no longer stay silent. “Stop spreading rumors! I never agreed to any relationship, and I’m absolutely not dating you tomorrow p>

Before Alexander could respond, I heard Damian’s icy voice beside me: “So this really is a blind date p>

“I I hesitated, noticing the dangerous flash in Damian’s eyes. My wolf sensed his displeasure and responded with submissive whimpers I struggled to suppress.

What right did he have to look at me like that? My dating life was none of his business.

“It’s not what you think,” I finally said.

“Then what is it?” Damian’s smile didn’t reach his eyes, and his wolf’s smoky cedar scent was intensifying—a clear sign of his agitation.

“It’s just not what you think,” I said, desperately trying to change the subject. “What are you doing here p>

Damian let out a cold laugh. “When someone stands me up, I still need to eat, don’t I? I just didn’t expect to find you here. Speaking of which, Lancaster Company seems rather unreliable. You’re the ones who wanted this partnership and approached ME p>

I lowered my head, feeling my cheeks burn with embarrassment. Nora curled up in shame for disappointing a potential mate.

“Didn’t you stand us up first?” I shot back. “When we first tried to meet with ME, you came but didn’t acknowledge your identity. So this just makes us even, right p>

“Even if ME missed the first meeting, at least our CEO wasn’t busy having dinner with someone else,” Damian’s voice was so cold it made my wolf cower.

“I I scrambled for an excuse. “Our leadership said the dinner was canceled. I’m just an employee, you know? So I came to have dinner with family p>

The moment I finished speaking, I felt the temperature around us drop further. Damian’s eyes darkened dangerously.

“You’re saying he’s your family?” he growled, his voice low and threatening.

“No! I mean I’m here with my grandfather. This is just a coincidence. It’s not what it looks like.” How could I explain that I’d been tricked into this arrangement too?

Alexander and I were completely excluded from the conversation. Damian and I went back and forth, leaving no room for anyone else to speak. Alexander finally seemed to realize he was being ignored.

“Excuse me, but I’m still alive and sitting here!” Alexander interjected, clearly annoyed.

Damian barely glanced at him before turning back to me. “Little wolf, you certainly keep busy. A blind date yesterday, another one today? Are you that eager to tie yourself to someone p>

I stared at him in genuine confusion, Nora equally puzzled. “What blind date yesterday p>

“You know exactly what I’m talking about p>

I racked my brain, trying to figure out what he meant. Yesterday I’d worked at the office all day. I hadn’t had any dates.

After thinking for a moment, it suddenly dawned on me. Last night, I’d had dinner with my former research mentor! I was passing along some research materials for him to give to our professor. Damian must have seen us together.

But if Damian saw me, why didn’t he approach us? Unless p>

“You’re stalking me!” I accused, my wolf bristling at the invasion of privacy yet strangely thrilled by his attention.

“Stalking you?” he shot back. “If you weren’t doing anything you shouldn’t be, why would you care p>

“I’m not afraid of anything. I was just having dinner with a friend,” I insisted.

Damian’s laugh was cold and sharp. “Well, little wolf, you certainly have a lot of male friends p>

“If you weren’t stalking me, how would you know?” I demanded. “I never thought the great Damian Sterling would be that kind of person p>