His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 134

**TITLE: Betrayal Births by Joseph King**
**Chapter 134**

**Claire’s POV**

Every time I found myself enjoying a moment of tranquility, it seemed as if fate was just waiting to shake things up, pulling the rug right out from under my feet.

As I stepped into the living room, I caught sight of Elijah already in the midst of getting dressed. He was leaning over his laptop, his damp hair pushed back from his forehead, and he looked deeply engrossed in whatever was on the screen. In that moment, he appeared so focused, as if the armor he donned for school was finally reassembling itself around him.

“Are you ready?” he asked, his eyes still glued to the screen, not bothering to look up. “We should get there early. Coach wants me on the rink for a check-in before afternoon practice.”

“Yeah, I’m ready,” I replied, hefting my bag over my shoulder. “But I need to swing by the student board office first.”

At that, he finally glanced up, a flicker of curiosity crossing his features. “Why?”

I hesitated, the weight of my thoughts pressing down on me. Finally, I sighed. “They’re starting sign-ups for the state academic showcase. It’s a big deal, and apparently, I used to enter every year. My mom thinks I should give it another shot.”

Elijah closed his laptop with a decisive click, and I noticed the faintest crease appear between his brows. “If you want to do it, then you absolutely should. I’ll support you however I can.”

His words brought warmth to my chest, but at the same time, they twisted something inside me, tightening a knot of unease. “It’s not about needing help,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. “I just… I want to show that I can handle something on my own.”

He softened, his expression shifting to something more understanding. “Claire, no one thinks you can’t.”

Maybe he believed that, but deep down, I wasn’t so sure I shared that sentiment.

As we made our way through the bustling school hallway, the air was thick with chatter and laughter, the kind that made it feel like everyone else had already found their place in the world. Elijah walked beside me, effortlessly drawing attention without even trying, and I could sense the whispers rising around us, as if people were still trying to decipher the enigma of “us.”

However, as soon as I approached the student board office, everything shifted.

A boy I vaguely recognized stepped into my path, tall with messy brown hair, exuding a kind of casual confidence that suggested he had never needed permission to occupy space. I froze as he smiled, a grin that seemed to radiate familiarity.

“Claire Benson,” he said, his voice laced with a playful tone. “You’re finally back on campus like a normal human. I was starting to think you transferred schools just to avoid losing to me again.”

I blinked, caught off guard. “Uh… sorry, who exactly are you?”

He clutched his chest in mock offense. “You wound me! It’s Liam. Liam Corbett. We tied for first place at the showcase qualifiers last year, remember?”

I couldn’t recall that moment, but I nodded slowly, trying to play along. “Right. Hi.”

“Hi,” he repeated, leaning in closer with an infectious grin. “Are you joining again this year? Because I need some real competition. Everyone else is just so boring.”

Behind me, I felt Elijah’s slow exhale, a mix of tension and protectiveness curling like smoke against my shoulder.

Liam’s gaze shifted to Elijah, taking in his height, the solid way he stood, and the almost territorial manner in which he hovered at my side. Liam raised his hands in a gesture of peace.

“Relax, man. I’m not here to harm your sister. I’m just trying to confirm if the reigning champion is coming back to put me in my place.”

“She’s not your concern,” Elijah replied, his voice low but firm enough to make Liam blink in surprise.

“Okay,” Liam laughed, “but the competition is open to everyone, not just wolves with hero complexes.”

I quickly stepped between them, feeling the tension crackle like electricity. “I’ll think about it,” I said, forcing a tight smile at Liam. “Thanks.”

He winked, his confidence unwavering. “I look forward to beating you again, memory or not.”

With that, he sauntered away, leaving behind a trail of tension that felt like gasoline on an already flickering flame.

Elijah’s eyes followed Liam’s retreating figure, a frown etched on his face. “I don’t like him.”

“You don’t even know him,” I said gently, trying to diffuse the situation.

“Yes, but my wolf knows enough,” he replied, his tone grating on me.

For some reason, the irritation I had been swallowing all morning finally bubbled to the surface. “Elijah, you don’t have to guard every inch of my life. I can handle a conversation by myself.”

He looked at me, surprise flickering in his eyes. “I’m not trying to control you.”

“I know,” I said, rubbing my forehead in frustration, “but sometimes it feels like everything in my life revolves around your healing, your hockey, your safety, and your instincts. I want something that’s mine too.”

His jaw relaxed a fraction, though the tension still lingered. “If you want the competition, then enter it. Just don’t expect me to pretend that guy didn’t look at you like—”

“Like what?” I pressed, challenging him to finish his thought.

He fell silent, and that unspoken tension told me everything I needed to know.

“I will,” I promised, my heart heavy with the weight of his concern.

He gave Elijah one last inscrutable look before turning away, leaving a palpable tension in his wake.

As soon as he disappeared behind the building, Elijah muttered, “I hate that guy.”

“You hate everyone today,” I replied, trying to inject a bit of levity into the situation.

“Not everyone. Just some reckless crackheads,” he shot back, his tone lightening just a touch.

Something about the way he said it made my irritation melt just a little—only a little—but the air between us still felt uneven.

That night, after I had finished rereading the competition requirements and wrestling with my own self-doubt, I found Elijah waiting for me on the balcony outside my room.

He leaned casually against the railing, his expression unreadable. “Are you still mad?”

“I could be,” I replied, crossing my arms. “I want something that feels normal.”

He brushed his fingers along mine, a gentle gesture that sent a shiver up my spine. “Then let’s do normal things. Let’s go to school. Let’s join competitions. Let’s fight over stupid boys with messy hair.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s not funny.”

“It eased the tension, though, didn’t it?” he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.

I couldn’t deny it.

“Claire,” he said quietly, his tone serious, “I don’t want to be the reason you stop living your life. If you want this competition, then go for it. Just promise me you’ll tell me if anything at all goes wrong. I’ve never admitted this to you before, but I care about you, a lot.”

“I promise,” I said, feeling the weight of his words settle in my heart.

He took a slow, grounding breath, as if trying to center himself. “And I’ll try to stop acting like every guy who glances at you is a threat.”

“That would be nice,” I replied, a small smile creeping onto my lips.

His lips twitched in response. “I said try.”