His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 177

Chapter 177

Claire’s POV

“You’re staring again.

Elijah’s voice cut into my thoughts as cleanly as a blade. I blinked and realized I’d been wa listening to whatever the teacher was saying.

g his hands saslead of

His fingers were restless today, tapping against the desk, flexing like they wanted motion, impact, ice beneath them

“I’m not staring.” I said automatically.

He leaned closer, his shoulder brushing mine. “You are. You do this thing where your eyes soften, like you’re somewhere else.”

I scoffed quietly. That’s ridiculous

“Is it?” he murmured. “Because you were definitely not in this classroom just now.”

I glanced at the board, then back at him. “You don’t get to call me out when you’ve been vibrating since first period.”

That got a grin out of him. “I’m excited. Season starts in two days. Coach moved the first scrimmage up.”

“I know,” I said. “You mentioned it three times yesterday.”

“And I’ll mention it again,” he replied easily. “Because this one matters.”

The teacher cleared their throat sharply, and Elijah leaned back, though his knee stayed pressed against mine. I tried to focus, I really did, but my body felt off today-too sensitive, like every sound and touch was amplified.

Dr. Adrian’s words echoed in my head. You’ll feel things more sharply for a while.

Lucky me.

When the bell rang, Elijah didn’t move right away. He waited until the room started emptying before speaking again. “You okay? For real.”

I hesitated, then nodded. “Just tired. Hospital stuff.”

Bloody ass lie.

His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. “You didn’t tell me you were going again today.”

“I didn’t think it was necessary,” I said carefully. “It’s_uh routine.”

He stood, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Routine doesn’t usually make you look like you’re bracing for something.”

I met his gaze. “You don’t get to interrogate me like an Alpha.”

His lips twitched. “Good. Because I’m not. I’m just… concerned.”

That word landed heavier than it should have.

We walked together anyway, close but quiet, the tension humming between us like a live wire. Jessica joined us halfway down the hall, chattering about an upcoming test, blissfully unaware of the way Elijah’s presence was pulling at me from the

inside.

Chapter 177

At lunch, he barely ate.

“You’re going to pass out on the ice if you keep skipping meals,” I said, pushing my drink toward him.

He took it, eyes never leaving my face. “You sound like my mom.”

“Someone has to keep you alive,” I shot back. “You’re reckless.”

He smiled faintly. “Only when it matters.”

After lunch, I left carly for the hospital again. Dr. Adrian greeted me with that same calm composure, but today there was something sharper in his attention.

“You look… heightened,” he observed.

“That’s one way to put it,” I muttered, settling into the chair.

He adjusted the equipment, his movements precise. “Any dizziness? Mood swings? Increased emotional response?”

I laughed dryly. “Is irritation an emotional response?”

“Yes,” he said mildly, “Especially when it’s consistent.”

I sighed. “Then yes.”

He nodded. “Expected. Your system is reacting well, which means it’s reacting more.”

“And how long does that last?”

“Depends,” he said. “Could be days. Could be weeks.”

I grimaced. “That’s not reassuring.”

He smiled slightly. “You’re handling it better than most would.”

“Most people don’t have wolves in their heads,” I replied.

“That,” he agreed, “complicates things.”

When he leaned closer to check the monitor, I felt it again-that strange pull. Not attraction, not exactly, but awareness. Dr. Adrian was calm, confident, grounded in a way that made my instincts pay attention whether I wanted them to or not.

“You have someone you’re close to,” he said suddenly.

I stiffened. “Excuse me?”

He didn’t look up. “Emotionally. Physically. Someone you’re bonded to.”

My throat went dry. “Why?”

“Because heightened states tend to amplify attachments,” he replied. “If you don’t manage it properly, it can… blur lines.

I swallowed. “I manage my lines just fine.”

He met my eyes then, expression serious. “Be careful, Claire, Wolves don’t ignore instinct forever.”

When Elijah picked me up later, the first thing he noticed was my mood.

“You look like you want to fight something,” he said.

Chapter 177

Only because I do. I replied.

He chuckled, then stopped when he realized I wasn’t joking. “What happene

“Nothing.” I said. “Everything.”

That earned him a look. “You want to try that again in a language I understand?”

I exhaled. “The treatment’s working. Which apparently means my emotions are turned up to eleven.

His grip tightened on the steering wheel. “Is that… safe?”

“Yes,” I said quickly. “Just uncomfortable.”

He glanced at me, jaw tight. “Did he say anything else?”

“He,” I repeated slowly. “Dr. Adrian?”

“Yes,” Elijah said flatly. “Him.”

I watched his profile, the way his eyes darkened just a fraction. “Why? Are you jealous?”

He didn’t answer immediately. When he did, his voice was quieter. “I don’t like not knowing what’s happening to you.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

He sighed. “You always do this. You corner people.”

“Answer the question.”

“Yes,” he said finally. “I am.”

The word settled between us, heavy and honest.

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