His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 148

**Chapter 148**

**Claire’s POV**

I pressed my teeth into the inside of my cheek, urging my mind to catch up with the whirlwind of thoughts racing through it. Think, Claire. You’re capable of this. My fingers began a light tap on the desk, a subconscious rhythm as my wolf stirred within me, restless and alert. Don’t let the pressure overwhelm you. You’ve prepared for this moment.

“Claire?” The teacher’s voice sliced through my reverie, calm yet pointed, pulling me back to the present. “Are you ready to answer?”

I cleared my throat, the sound echoing in the stillness of the classroom. “Uh—yes. Yes, I think I—” My voice faltered, and my thoughts raced chaotically. The right words were playing hide-and-seek in my mind. Focus. I inhaled deeply, recalling Elijah’s steady advice, his quiet confidence that had always been my anchor. He’s watching you. You can do this.

“I—” I began again, this time deliberately slowing my pace. My voice trembled at first, but gradually, I found my footing. Each word stitched together like a tapestry of knowledge, my confidence blossoming with every phrase. My wolf let out a satisfied hum in my mind, echoing the adrenaline that surged through my veins. I finished my answer with a voice that had regained its steadiness, the control I had sought finally returning.

“Correct,” the teacher affirmed, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. A wave of relief washed over me, though my heart continued to race like a wild stallion. I sank back into my chair, releasing a small breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

The questions came at me in quick succession, each one probing different facets of my knowledge. Some I answered with immediate clarity, while others required rapid calculations or leaps of logic. Each time I hit the mark, a tiny spark of satisfaction ignited within me. But with every stumble, my wolf nudged me gently, whispering reminders to remain calm and trust in what I had learned.

Trey’s gaze flickered to me repeatedly, a mix of curiosity and surprise dancing in his expression. I caught a glimpse of a faint smile when I answered correctly, but he didn’t push for more. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was genuinely impressed or simply plotting his next move.

The camera lights, once intimidating, now felt less like a spotlight and more like a soft background hum. I focused intently on the questions, blocking out everything else that threatened to distract me. My body tensed at times, my mind racing, but I kept my breathing steady, finding a rhythm in the flow of inquiries that I could naturally fall into.

Then came the final round of the demonstration—questions that demanded reasoning across multiple topics, intertwining concepts I had barely grazed before. For a brief moment, I froze on one, and my wolf hissed softly in my mind, reminding me that hesitation could be costly. I forced my thoughts to unravel, aligning them carefully, and finally, I delivered my answer.

Correct.

By the end of the session, my hands trembled slightly, but a grin had crept onto my face. Relief and triumph danced together within me as I exhaled deeply. I had done it. I had answered every question correctly—at least on the surface. Inside, the adrenaline still churned, leaving my wolf alert and giddy, as if celebrating our victory.

The teacher nodded at me, her satisfaction evident. “Well done, Claire. Excellent work under pressure.”

I blinked, allowing her words to sink in fully. A wave of relief, mingled with pure, glowing ecstasy, washed over me. I glanced toward Trey, who remained seated with an expression that was a mix of astonishment and contemplation. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again, clearly unsure of how to respond to my unexpected performance.

Quietly, I gathered my notes, standing and stretching my arms overhead. My shoulders ached slightly from the tension I hadn’t realized I was holding. As I exited the classroom, I felt Elijah’s presence nearby—he had remained close, waiting patiently for me. At first glance, his expression was neutral, but I caught the faintest smirk tugging at his lips.

“You did well,” he said softly, his tone low enough that no one else could overhear. “Better than well. Impressive.”

A flush crept to my cheeks, and I tried to play it cool. “Thanks.” My wolf purred with satisfaction at the praise, though I made an effort to keep my voice steady.

“See? You didn’t need to panic,” he added, nudging me lightly with his shoulder as we walked through the bustling hallway. “You handled that like a pro.”

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