His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 169

**Chapter 169**

**Claire’s POV**

The classroom was infused with the faint scent of dry-erase markers mingling with the polished wood of the desks, an almost comforting backdrop to the palpable tension that hung in the air like a thick fog. My heart raced as the teacher’s voice rang out, announcing the new group assignments for the week. I froze momentarily, scanning my list with a mix of dread and anticipation.

To my dismay, my group consisted of Mara—loud, brash, and fiercely competitive—and Felix, the quiet observer whose keen gaze seemed to take in every detail, every nuance. As Mara casually dropped herself into the nearest chair, a self-satisfied smirk spread across her face, as if she had already claimed victory.

“Well, well,” she declared, her voice cutting through the hum of the classroom, drawing several curious glances. “Looks like I get to carry the team this week.”

I held my ground, refusing to let her taunt rattle me. “I think we work better when everyone contributes,” I replied, my tone steady as I set my notebook on the table with purpose. “Even you, Mara.”

Her smirk remained, unfazed by my attempt to assert control. “Oh, I contribute. Just in my own special way.”

Felix, seated directly across from me, raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. “You always handle her like that,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, meant only for my ears. “I’d be snapping at her by now.”

“I prefer results over confrontation,” I replied softly, my gaze fixed on Mara, who was already gearing up for her next verbal assault. “Just watch. You’ll see.”

As the group settled into an uneasy rhythm, Mara took the lead, her voice rising with enthusiasm as she outlined her ideas, punctuated by pointed glances aimed directly at me. I allowed her to talk, knowing that every exaggerated gesture and overemphasized point was a crack I could exploit later.

When she finally paused to take a breath, I leaned forward slightly, seizing the opportunity to present my plan. “If we organize our points this way,” I suggested, gesturing to the paper in front of us, “each of us can highlight our strengths. Mara, your examples are strong, but they need a little framing. Felix, your observations fit naturally here. Together, it all comes together cohesively.”

Mara blinked, her annoyance evident as she processed my subtle correction. “You just want to take control, don’t you?” she shot back, her tone sharp.

“Not control,” I replied, my voice calm and collected. “Coordination. There’s a significant difference.”

Felix, almost imperceptibly, nodded in agreement. “She’s right. It flows better that way.”

Mara opened her mouth, ready to argue, but then closed it again, clearly calculating her next move. My wolf stirred at the edge of tension, sensing her shift—not a surrender, but a temporary retreat.

“Fine,” she finally conceded, her voice still laced with irritation. “We’ll try it your way. For now.”

“Good,” I said, my tone soft yet steady. “Let’s focus on making it work, rather than winning arguments.”

As we delved into our work, subtle rivalries began to surface. Mara attempted to position herself as the focal point of every discussion, but I deftly redirected the attention without direct confrontation—carefully chosen phrasing, strategic gestures, and impeccable timing. Felix remained quiet, but I could sense his quiet support, following my lead without me needing to spell it out.

By the time our session came to a close, we had crafted a solid outline. The victory was not loud or ostentatious, but it was undeniably there. Every idea Mara had insisted upon had been woven into the fabric of our project, but framed in a way that elevated the entire group rather than allowing any single ego to dominate.

During the brief break, I caught Mara muttering under her breath, just loud enough for me to hear: “You think you’re clever. Don’t get used to it.”

A faint smile tugged at my lips, though I kept my gaze focused ahead. “Clever is simply noticing the cracks before others do. That’s all it is.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify