His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 17

**Betrayal Births by Joseph King**
**Chapter 17**

**Claire’s POV**

The following morning, the air in the hallway crackled with an electric energy, and Naomi was practically vibrating beside me, her ponytail bouncing with each enthusiastic step. I barely managed to cram my textbooks into my locker when she whirled around, her eyes sparkling with an intensity that suggested we were on the brink of a monumental adventure.

“Okay,” she hissed, leaning in conspiratorially, her excitement palpable. “Today’s the day.”

A wave of dread washed over me, sinking deep into my stomach. “What are you talking about?” I asked, my curiosity battling with a desire to avoid any more chaos in my life.

“I’m going to take your advice! I’ll become his not-so-secret admirer,” she declared, her eyes glimmering as if she had just won the lottery.

It took my brain a full fifteen seconds to register who she was referring to, and when it clicked, an overwhelming sense of apprehension filled me.

Just the night before, Elijah had stormed into my room while I was lost in sleep. His eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and some instinctive part of me knew that his wolf was unleashed.

But to my astonishment, he didn’t rage or break anything, nor did he hurl insults like he usually did. Instead, he loomed over me, his gaze fixed on me as if I were his next meal.

I was paralyzed with fear.

I couldn’t even muster the courage to call for help or demand to know what the hell was happening. Yet, somehow, my trembling hands found their way to his, and he growled.

But it wasn’t the menacing growl of a hunter; it was laced with something deeper—concern, perhaps?

Eventually, his eyes returned to their usual shade, and he reverted to his typical arrogant demeanor. I had thought he was ensnared in some sort of trance until he swatted my hands away, as if flipping a switch that returned him to normal. He stormed out shortly after, muttering curses under his breath, leaving me shaken.

“Claire?” Naomi snapped her fingers in front of my face, pulling me back to the present. “What do you think about the plan?”

I blinked, my stomach sinking even further. “Naomi…”

“No backing out, Claire.” She gripped my wrist with a fervor that suggested her enthusiasm alone could drag me into this mess. “I’ve been planning this since you first mentioned it. I’ve even written the first note, and it’s perfect.”

I glanced around, anxiety prickling at the back of my mind, praying that no one overheard us. The last thing I needed was for Elijah to discover that his new stepsister was orchestrating a scheme involving love letters. “He’s going to hate this if he finds out I’m involved,” I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.

Naomi’s grin widened, unfazed by my concerns. “He’s not going to find out, Claire. Trust me!”

She pressed a folded scrap of paper into my palm. The edges sparkled with glitter pen, and her handwriting was neat but whimsical.

“Your eyes are sharper than the ice. Your fire makes the whole rink burn.”

I couldn’t help it—I snorted, unable to contain my amusement.

Naomi gasped as if I had committed an unspeakable offense. “Don’t laugh! It’s poetry!”

“It’s a hockey-flavored disaster,” I said, attempting to hand it back to her. But she shook her head vigorously, already scanning the hallway like a hawk on the hunt.

“Elijah’s in chem right now. It’s the perfect opportunity. You’re going to slip this into his locker between classes.”

I blinked, my mind racing. “I’m going to what?”

“You live with him,” she explained, as if it were the most logical thing in the world. “If I do it, people will suspect. If you do it, no one will think twice. It’s brilliant!”

Brilliant wasn’t the word I would’ve chosen. It felt more like a reckless gamble. But Naomi’s enthusiasm was a tidal wave, and I was far too drained to resist. So, I shoved the note into my pocket, already envisioning the explosive fallout when Elijah discovered it.

By third period, I found myself standing in front of Elijah’s locker, feeling like a criminal poised to commit a serious offense.

The hallway was mercifully quiet, the buzz of voices muffled behind classroom doors. My hands trembled as I unfolded the note, staring at Naomi’s glittery declaration. My heart raced, pounding loudly in my chest.

Just do it. Slide it in and walk away.

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