His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 147

**TITLE: Betrayal Births by Joseph King**
**Chapter 147**

**Claire’s POV**

The piercing sound of my alarm clock shattered the tranquil stillness of the early morning, and I let out a groan, my hand fumbling in the dark for the snooze button.

The room was cloaked in shadows, the soft, muted grey light of dawn just beginning to seep through the edges of the curtains. I blinked rapidly, attempting to shake off the remnants of sleep, when a sharp knock at my door jolted me further awake.

“Claire? You up?”

Elijah’s voice drifted in, calm yet laced with that familiar urgency—the kind of tone that made my heart race despite my groggy state.

“Um… yeah,” I mumbled, my voice raspy and unrefined, my teeth still unbrushed.

“Good. Five minutes, tops,” he replied, his voice fading as he stepped away, the sound of his knock echoing faintly against the now-closed door.

In an instant, I shot upright, a wave of fluster washing over me as I realized the time was slipping away faster than I had anticipated. My heart raced, a tumultuous mix of excitement and anxiety flooding my senses; today was the day of the academic relay, a moment I had both anticipated and dreaded. Stumbling toward the bathroom, I hastily brushed my teeth, my mind racing through the last bits of information I had crammed into my head the night before.

Staring into the mirror, I was met with my own reflection—wide eyes, panic etched across my face. Focus, Claire, focus.

Breakfast was a chaotic blur: a granola bar clutched in one hand, a bottle of water in the other, both barely registering on my taste buds. Outside, I could see Elijah waiting by the car, leaning casually against it, though the early hour did nothing to dull the alertness in his eyes.

“You look… ridiculous,” he teased lightly, a laugh barely suppressed as I practically dove into the passenger seat.

“Ridiculous?” I retorted, my cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and indignation. “I’m… just nervous. That’s completely normal.”

“Sure,” he replied, a soft smirk playing on his lips, “nervous is one thing. But you’re vibrating enough to power the entire school.”

I stuck my tongue out at him, but his quiet chuckle made it difficult to maintain my annoyance. As he drove, the nearly empty streets blurred by, the sky transitioning into a pale gold, and I tried to calm the storm of nerves churning in my stomach.

“You’ll do fine,” he said casually, though there was an undertone in his voice that I couldn’t quite ignore. “You know the material better than anyone. Just… don’t let your brain overheat before the event starts.”

I inhaled deeply, attempting to steady my racing heart. “Thanks.”

When we pulled into the school parking lot, my nerves surged once more. The lot was teeming with students, coaches, and what appeared to be a small media crew setting up their equipment. Camera stands, tangled cables, and microphones were all pointed toward the building, creating an atmosphere thick with anticipation.

“It’s just a demo,” I reminded myself, clenching my hands in my lap. Just a demo. You don’t have to embarrass yourself in front of everyone.

As Elijah unbuckled his seatbelt, his hand brushed against mine for a brief moment. “It’s going to be fine,” he said softly, his gaze steady and reassuring. “I’ll be around. Go show them what you’ve got.”

“Thanks,” I murmured, letting out a tiny breath of relief as he leaned down to give me a quick hug. The warmth of his embrace lingered long after he stepped back.

“Go meet your coach,” I urged, offering him a small smile.

“I’ll be there for the relay,” he said with a nod, determination flickering in his eyes. “Go kick some butt.”

The initial questions were straightforward, and I answered them quickly, my heart swelling with gratitude to the moon goddess for every correct thought that sprang to mind. My hands remained steady, and my voice was as controlled as I could manage. I reminded myself to breathe, and with each correct answer, a tiny spark of relief ignited within me.

So far, so good.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Elijah sitting off to the side, his presence a grounding force that calmed me more than I had anticipated. I smiled faintly in his direction before redirecting my focus to the questions at hand.

And then… it happened.

The teacher’s next question caught me completely off guard, and for a moment, my mind went blank. My internal wolf whined softly, sensing the rising tide of panic that threatened to overwhelm me. I could feel my pulse quicken as the weight of the room and the cameras bore down on me, the moment stretching out longer than it should have.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry as sandpaper. My fingers tapped nervously against the desk, hesitant and unsure. This wasn’t the question I had prepared for. Not at all. I had anticipated nearly everything, but not this.

A bead of sweat slid down my temple as I leaned slightly forward, my heart pounding in my chest.

The room waited in silence. The cameras rolled, capturing every fleeting moment. I could feel Trey’s smirk lurking at the edge of my vision, sensing my hesitation.

And just like that, I realized that the next five minutes would determine not only how confident I felt in front of everyone but also how I would hold myself when challenged, and perhaps even how I viewed my own ability to handle pressure.

I inhaled deeply, striving to settle my wolf and calm my racing thoughts, bracing myself for the question I was about to face.

Except… I didn’t have an answer.