Claimed by My Ex's Half-Brother

Third Person POV

Brett watched as Lilith’s silhouette faded into the distance, his wolf Jacob pacing restlessly inside him.

In the shadows behind him,Leo observed Brett’s rigid posture with growing concern. The complex emotions in Brett’s eyes when looking at Lilith,a volatile mix of hatred and something complx,sent warning signals through Leo’s mind.

After a moment of contemplation, Leo made his way to the study where Silas Hartwell, the Alpha of Shadowpine Pack, was brewing tea alone.

"Dad," Leo said, closing the door behind him. "We need to arrange a mate for Lilith today. She must accept it if she wants access to Mom’s inheritance."

He paused,"Otherwise,I’m worried Vanessa’s mating ceremony might have... problems."

Silas set down his teacup, his eyes clouding with concern. "You’re worried about Brett backing out too?"

Leo nodded, unable to shake the unease that had settled in his chest like a cold stone. The memory of how Brett had watched Lilith walk away,that mixture of burning hatred and something else troubled him deeply.

Love and hate were two sides of the same coin among wolves. The deeper the love, the more vicious the hatred when betrayed.

"Dad," Leo took a seat opposite his father,"Brett talks about how much he despises Lilith, but he hasn’t truly let her go. His wolf still responds to her presence."

Leo leaned forward."Vanessa has been by his side for five years, but Brett has never once asked her to stay overnight at his house. Even when she did stay, she slept in the guest room. There’s never been anything intimate between them." He shook his head. "It’s not about him being a gentleman or respecting boundaries."

They both knew the truth about wolf nature.When an Alpha male truly desires his mate, there’s no such thing as restraint.The mating bond demands completion.If a male wolf loves a female, his instinct is to claim, to possess, to mark.

But Brett showed no desire to claim Vanessa.

There was only one conclusion: Brett’s wolf didn’t recognize Vanessa as his mate, despite what everyone believed. Despite what Brett himself claimed to believe.

Both men shared the same concern.

Leo sighed. "Dad, Vanessa suffered so much before she was acknowledged as your daughter.She finally has a chance at happiness with the man she loves. If that mating ceremony falls apart because Lilith returned to the city...The pack would tear her apart. I can’t bear to see her heart broken again."

Silas’s eyes softened with understanding.

"I know what needs to be done," Silas said gravely, his Alpha authority filling the room. "The pack’s stability comes first."

Lilith’s POV

Later, as I was being escorted by Alfred to Silas’s study, I paused outside the door. Alfred knocked softly, and only after receiving permission did I step inside.

The study was filled with the rich aroma of brewing tea. Silas always preferred tea. That scent used to comfort me, but now it made my stomach turn. Once upon a time, in this very room, I’d smashed his million-dollar antique tea set in a fit of rage. Back then, he hadn’t scolded me,he’d only worried if I’d hurt myself.

But that was before... before everything changed.

Silas looked up from his tea ceremony, his eyes sweeping over my plain cotton jacket and faded jeans that hung loose on my too-thin frame. A flicker of something,perhaps concern,crossed his face before disappearing.

"Lilith," he said, "go change your clothes. I’m taking you to meet some people afterward."

I’d already noticed the unusually high number of single men in their thirties and forties at today’s garden party. One in particular, Grant, the wealthy neighbor who’d made his fortune in renewable energy, had greeted me earlier. When I was nineteen, he used to send me flowers constantly. That had infuriated Brett so much that he’d beaten Grant bloody despite the man’s stockier build and extensive martial arts training. Neither had walked away unscathed.

The presence of men like Grant at tonight’s gathering made Silas’s intentions crystal clear.

When the Alfred moved to guide me toward a change of clothes, I stood my ground.

"Alpha Silas," I said coldly, not using the word ’father’ that once came so naturally, "I came today for my mother’s inheritance that was meant to be my dowry. Not to be married off at your convenience."

Leo, sitting at the tea table, looked up with narrowed eyes. "Since you’ve figured it out, I’ll be direct. Mom did leave you a substantial inheritance, that’s true. But since it’s technically a dowry, you only receive it when you marry. Until then, Dad continues to manage it for you. Don’t worry,it’s still yours... eventually."

Silas remained seated at the tea table.I noticed he’d arranged purple lisianthus flowers,my favorite,in anticipation of my visit. He poured me a cup of tea and extended it toward me.

"Drink this. It will warm you up."

I ignored the offered cup. "I knew you wouldn’t make this easy."

Silas set the refused teacup down with a heavy sigh. "Lilith, the Shadowpine Pack has substantial resources. We don’t need the money your mother left. It’s always been yours. But I see how hard you’re struggling alone with Clara. I want you settled, with a stable home. Every unmated male at tonight’s gathering was carefully selected by Leo and me. Look them over. When you and Clara leave with your new mate, you’ll receive everything your mother left you, plus additional resources from the pack."

"Carefully selected?" I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. I recognized most of the men at the party,playboys, gamblers, and worse.

Years ago, when I was still his "precious daughter," Silas would have threatened to break the legs of any wolf who dared look at me with interest. He used to proclaim that his daughter deserved only the finest mate in existence.

Now I was simply merchandise to be bartered off to whoever would take me.

The pain still cut deep, despite my best efforts to steel myself against it.

"I won’t choose any of them," I said firmly.

"None are good enough?" Leo’s brow furrowed.

Fighting through the ache in my chest, I asked mockingly, "That Grant... wasn’t he in the news three months ago when his fourth mate died? He’s publicly searching for a new mate to look after his five motherless children, isn’t he?"

His matrimonial requirements were brutally specific: no additional children allowed, the new mate would serve as unpaid caretaker, and a prenuptial agreement that left the bride with nothing if she initiated rejection.

My eyes hardened. "If he’s such a catch, Alpha Silas, why not offer Vanessa to him instead?"

Leo’s jaw tightened. "Lilith, Vanessa is my sister, but aren’t you my sister too? I’m only being realistic. You’re an ex-convict with a deaf child who lacks a scent. Grant may be overweight and have multiple ex-wives and children, but he’ll accept Clara and provide for you both. You won’t have to work yourself to death anymore. As long as you stay mated, you and Clara will be comfortable for life. Why can’t you see we’re thinking of your welfare?"

Silas nodded from his seat. "Besides, Lilith, you’ve always been the one Grant truly wanted. If he marries you, he’ll treat you well."

Their tag-team persuasion filled me with disgust and fury, but I knew if I refused outright, I’d never see a penny of my mother’s inheritance. Clara needed that security more than I needed my pride.

"Fine," I said. "I agree."