Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother

Lilith’s POV

Thirty minutes later, I met Cassian at the entrance of the agreed-upon coffee shop.

He was sitting inside, visibly uncomfortable.

Cassian and Sabrina had always treated me like family. Even during the medical data breach scandal five years ago, when almost everyone distrusted me, they still stood by my side.

"Lilith," Cassian said softly, "Alpha Brett sent me."

He handed me a bank card, his pine-scented scent filling the air."Alpha Brett noticed you’ve been struggling. He hopes this money will help. The PIN is your birthday."

"See," he added cautiously, "he still remembers your birthday. It shows he hasn’t forgotten everything from before.It’s just that after his accident,there were misunderstandings, and Vanessa was there to care for him, comfort him, stay by his side."

Cassian continued, "Lilith, let the past go.Take this money and build a good life with Clara."

I gave a bitter smile as Thea let out a low growl inside me. Only a werewolf who has experienced rejection from their fated mate could understand such pain. I knew too well how cold-hearted Brett could be, remembering his cruel words in prison. These gentle words couldn’t possibly be his original message.

"Cassian, what Alpha Brett really said was that I should repent and behave myself, stop causing trouble, right?" I looked straight into his eyes. Our wolves knew each other too well for him to lie. "He had more harsh words for me, didn’t he?"

Cassian avoided my gaze without answering directly, confirming my suspicions.

I knew exactly what Alpha Brett was thinking, just like that night when he tore up Clara’s sketch. He probably figured that despite whatever despicable things I’d done to him and Aurora BioSciences, as his former mate, he had an obligation to help me get back on my feet.

He must have specifically instructed Cassian to warn me to clean up my act, to do right by my child, or karma would catch up with me.

Cassian pushed the card closer to me. "Just take the money, Lilith. It’s from Alpha Brett,might as well use it."

I took the card without hesitation. "Please tell Alpha Brett I appreciate it."

I’ll consider it child support for Clara. As her biological father, he should provide this much at least. Though he’ll never acknowledge it, even with the tampered lineage test, he won’t agree to another test. After I’m gone, this money will go to Clara, at least she won’t end up as a penniless wolf cub on the streets.

Cassian was clearly surprised by how quickly I accepted.

"Lilith, about your illness..."

"Don’t worry about my condition. Just assume I’m lying." I said softly, resignation in my voice. It didn’t matter anyway,Brett didn’t believe me and wouldn’t take Clara.

"Cassian, thank you and Sabrina for all your help,"I said sincerely.After being banished by the entire pack, their support was my only consolation. "You’re Brett’s most trusted Beta. I can’t let you get caught in the middle because of me. Besides..." I smiled bitterly, "Brett’s about to marry Vanessa. I don’t want to put you, especially Sabrina, in an awkward position right now. Whatever happens, I’ll handle it myself."

Cassian quickly responded, "Lilith, there must be hope for treating your condition. We can look for treatment options. If money’s the issue, Sabrina and I will help..."

"I know my body best, and I’m fine right now," I stood up, not wanting to burden Cassian and Sabrina any further.

As a researcher specializing in werewolf genetic disorders, I understood my condition better than anyone.

Modern medical science simply had no answer for this illness.

The Moon Goddess had come to me in a dream, delivering a prophecy: I had only one year left to live.

This was fate—my fate.

Even the strongest Alpha could do nothing against the will of the Goddess.

I had accepted that death was inevitable.

Now, my only wish was to find a safe place for my little wolf cub before the end came.

Since Alpha Brett refused to acknowledge his own child, I would have to find another way.

"Wait," Cassian interrupted, his voice sharp with urgency.

"The Goddess told you about your death,but did she say nothing about how to stop it? We are her children. She would never condemn us without leaving a path open."

His words hit me like a thunderclap.

I had been so consumed by fear, so focused on securing Clara’s future, that I hadn’t dared hope for a way out.

"There was... one thing she said," I murmured, struggling to recall the dream.

"‘The forgotten answer lies buried within the truth you sealed away with your own hands.’"

Cassian’s brow furrowed in thought. "‘The truth you sealed away’... Lillie, whatever it is, Sabrina and I,we’ll help you uncover it. We’ll find the answer."

I was grateful for his sincerity. Truly, I was.

But clinging to hope only to watch it shatter would hurt far more than accepting the end.

I rose to my feet, gently ending the conversation."Clara’s school is letting out soon. I promised I’d pick her up early today."

"I should go, Cassian."

Before leaving, I bowed deeply to him. As I stepped out of the coffee shop, the bitter wind cut through me. Thea curled up inside me,as if mourning our impending separation.

Brett’s POV

I’d been holed up in Aurora BioSciences’ lab for days. This specialized anti-werewolf gene mutation drug had taken two generations to develop. With breakthrough so close, I wanted to accelerate the process and move it into clinical trials as soon as possible.

It was nearly midnight when Cassian found me. As I walked out of the lab, removing my white coat, my minty and musky scent filled the air. "Been waiting long?" My voice carried the exhaustion of hours in the lab.

"Brett, we need to talk about Lilith again." Cassian matched my stride, his tone firm.

Carrying my lab coat, I asked coldly, "She took the money?" My tone was detached, as if discussing a stranger.

"She did, but..."

"Two million, and she didn’t hesitate. Wonder what Greystone Heights pack offered her." I stopped, a sardonic smile playing on my lips, contempt and hatred flashing in my eyes. "If she conspires with Greystone Heights again, I won’t be so lenient. She got a reduced sentence last time because of me. Should’ve left her in that jail longer to learn her lesson."

Cassian sighed, trying to reason with me."Alpha Brett, think about how tragic Lilith’s life has been. She lost her mother at birth. At twenty-one, Lexi and Vanessa appeared, claiming she wasn’t Alpha Silas’s daughter. At twenty-five, she was thrown in a jail, giving birth to a deaf, scentless pup in that horrible place. If she’s really got terminal illness now, she’s truly at her end."

He took a deep breath and continued. "Yes, you have Vanessa now. Yes, you have every right to hate Lilith. But can you think about this rationally, as an Alpha should?"

My expression darkened further. Truth was, I had thought about it rationally. Fearing I might have wronged Lilith, I’d kept the lineage test completely confidential. No one knew where that report was. I was certain no one could have tampered with the lineage test.

I suddenly turned to Cassian, my eyes flashing dangerous red. "Is Lilith your mate, or is Sabrina? You seem more concerned about Lilith than your own mate." My voice carried an unmistakable threat, my Alpha presence dominating the space.

"Sabrina is my mate, and Lilith is the friend we grow up together. How dare you twist that? Where’s your brain and conscience?" Cassian snapped back, his Beta scent intensifying with anger.

My fury peaked as I reached my car and yanked open the door. Before driving away, I issued a cold command,"Stay out of Lilith’s business."I used my Alpha voice, brooking no argument.