Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother

Lilith’s POV

"No," I quickly shut the idea down.

Brett wasn’t just a medical genius; he was also a skilled hacker. Anyone foolish enough to install hidden monitoring software on his phone would be discovered immediately.

"It could be..." My mind raced frantically, searching for answers that might save my daughter’s future.

My eyes suddenly fixated on the red cord around Brett’s neck,the silver charm Vanessa had given him. I’d heard the story countless times.After Brett’s accident, Vanessa had gone to the Moon Goddess Church and prayed earnestly for his recovery.

That silver charm was the result of her devotion.

"Alpha Brett," I said carefully, using his formal title, "could someone have planted a listening device in your silver charm t?"

The accusation against Vanessa transformed his expression from cold to utterly disgusted.

"Lilith," he snarled, "stop trying to slander Vanessa in front of me."

His voice dropped lower. "Only you would stoop to something so vile and despicable."

"Vanessa would never do such a thing."

The way he defended her so fiercely made my attempt at reasoning completely pointless. I had no interest in convincing him anymore. My only concern was securing a future for Clara,my sweet, innocent little cub.

But what could I possibly do now?

"Lilith," Brett continued, "is this another scheme you failed to execute properly? Were you planning to wait until Aurora BioSciences successfully developed the specialized treatment before staging another dramatic scene? Perhaps coughing up blood in front of me, performing some tragic dying act to successfully steal twenty years of research from both our families?"

"Alpha Brett, that’s not what happened. I—"

He viciously cut me off."Enough, Lilith."

The command in his voice that Alpha voice that made most wolves instinctively submit washed over me.

"From this moment on, stay out of my sight."

"Every word, every syllable that comes out of your mouth makes me sick to my stomach."

Thea whimpered inside me, the bond between mates still painful despite his rejection years ago.

"Fifteen years with you turned out to be nothing but wasted time."

His last statement hit like a physical blow, and I struggled not to flinch.Yes, it’s been fifteen years since we met and fell in love.

"I want nothing more to do with you from now on."

Brett’s final glance at me held pure, undiluted hatred.

I knew that no matter what I said today, Brett would never listen or believe me again. The fifteen years we spent together meant nothing to him now.

My only worry was what would happen to my Clara. What could I possibly do for her now?

After our fight, I wandered into a nearby restaurant. In despair, I sat down at a dining table, barely noticing the other patrons. My mind was filled with thoughts of Clara. Such a bright, sweet, understanding little girl. Her small, vulnerable frame made my heart ache.

I sat there for a long time, desperately trying to think of solutions for Clara’s future. My crushing anxiety created a barrier between me and everything else around me.

Only when someone politely asked a question near my ear did I return to reality.

"Would you like to order something, miss?"

Yes, I needed to eat properly. The doctor had emphasized that I must maintain my nutrition.

So I ordered a steak, a salad, and mushroom soup just for myself. Even without an appetite, I forced myself to take bite after bite of the medium-rare steak and every piece of vegetable.

Yet every bite tasted like ash in my mouth.

As I continued eating, I finally broke down in tears.

In front of Clara, I never allowed myself to cry.

In front of Brett, crying would just be "performing some tragic act," as he’d accused.

I had no right to cry,couldn’t cry.

But in this moment, I could no longer hold back.

A server approached, asking with concern, "Miss, is there anything I can help you with?"

I swallowed the food in my mouth, tasting only bitterness. "I’m a single mother with late-stage illness. I’m not afraid of dying. I’m only afraid that after I’m gone, no one will take care of my daughter. But nobody believes me."

"Do you believe me?" I asked, my voice breaking.

Those few simple words moved the young server to sympathy, though she clearly struggled to find words of comfort.

Finally, she gave me an encouraging gesture. "You’re so beautiful, miss. Your daughter must be adorable and pretty too."

"For your daughter’s sake, hang in there. I’m sure you’ll get better."

I managed a smile. "Thank you."

After those two words, I buried my head again and continued forcing down the steak, salad, and mushroom soup with large, determined bites.

For Clara, I needed to live as long as possible. I had to hold on at least until I found a family who would adopt her. Only then could I let go.

***

That afternoon, I went to pick up Clara from kindergarten as usual.When Susan, Clara’s teacher, saw me, her sweet smile suddenly froze.

"Mrs. Hartwell,Clara’s uncle already picked her up."she said.

"Uncle?" I felt completely lost, my wolf instantly alert and bristling.

"I called you half an hour ago, but your phone was turned off," Susan explained anxiously.

"Mr. Hartwell even video-called you while I was there, and you agreed, didn’t you?" she continued. "Oh, and he added me on social media too."

Susan showed me the alleged "uncle’s" profile.

One glance confirmed it was Leo,my brother who had slapped me at the restaurant after Brett had thrown the paternity test results in my face.

I suddenly remembered that Leo specialized in AI technology. Creating a fake video call with an AI-generated face would be child’s play for him.

This wasn’t Susan’s fault, but I politely stated my requirements:

"Susan, next time unless I come personally, please don’t release Clara to anyone else, no matter who they claim to be."

"Thank you for understanding."

Two minutes later, I stood across from the kindergarten, calling Leo.He was technically my only blood relation left in this world.

When I was twenty-one, Silas had declared I wasn’t his biological daughter. A few lineage test results had negated twenty-one years of father-daughter relationship.

But Leo and I shared the same mother’s womb, entering this world of suffering together.

When our mother Lily was falsely accused, Leo never spoke up for her. When Vanessa, the illegitimate daughter of the Hartwell family, was acknowledged, Leo seemed all too happy to gain another sister.

Later, when the Aurora BioSciences secrets were leaked, Leo sided with Silas. He decided I was an ungrateful, heartless bastard with no sense of pack loyalty. Together with Silas and Brett, he sent me to prison.

After my mother Lily died, Silas, Brett, and Leo were the people I loved most in this world. Now they all stood firmly beside Vanessa.

Leo had faked the video call and taken Clara without my consent, undoubtedly for Vanessa’s sake.

"Leo,where is Clara?"" I said coolly into the phone.

"You can’t even call me ’brother’ anymore?" Leo’s voice carried a hint of heartbreak on the other end.

"Didn’t you yourself say we were done forever? That our ties were severed for good?" I reminded him sharply.

"I was just angry when I said that. Lilith, can’t you be more understanding like Vanessa? You—"

I cut him off."Where is Clara?"

I had no interest in wasting words with someone like him.

Leo softened his tone. "I’m still Clara’s uncle. I love her more than anything. Come home for a family dinner. Dad actually mentions you often."

"He’s your and Vanessa’s father, not mine," I replied coldly.

"Twenty years of raising you, and you just disown him like that?" Leo’s voice hardened. "Lilith, don’t be so ungrateful. What goes around comes around. You’ll face consequences just like Brett said."

I understood now. Brett must have told the Hartwell family everything that had happened. They were determined to protect Vanessa. If I wanted Clara back, I would have to go to the Shadowpine Pack today.

Half an hour later, I arrived at the Shadowpine Pack ‘s mansion.

Like Brett, the Hartwells had moved to Crescent River Estates, an exclusive community for elite wolves where the houses blended modern luxury with traditional aesthetics,a reflection of Vanessa’s preference for classical design.

As I entered the pack house, I had no time to appreciate the architecture. I searched frantically for any sign of Clara.

Silas sat on an antique-style sofa.

I went straight to the point."Alpha Silas," I said formally, "where is my Clara? I’ve come to take her home."

Unable to see my daughter anywhere, panic clawed at my chest, and Thea howled with distress inside me.