His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 179

Chapter 179

Claire’s POV

I didn’t sleep.

Not because of nightmares or restlessness, but because every time I closed my eyespiny dy remembered the exact weight of Elijah’s hand at my waist and the way his breath had stuttered just before he kissed me

It was like my senses had learned a new language overnight and refused to forget it.

When morning came, I felt it in everything. The way I dressed more carefully without realizing it.

The way my pulse jumped whenever footsteps passed my door.

The way my wolf stayed alert, pacing quietly beneath my ribs, tuned to him even when he wasn’t near.

We didn’t talk about the kiss before school.

Not because it didn’t matter, but because it mattered too much.

At breakfast, Elijah barely looked at me, which somehow felt worse than if he’d stared. His posture was casual, his tone normal, but the restraint sat heavy in the air between us, like a held breath no one dared release.

“What’s with this early morning quietness? Did you two fight again?” my mother noted, sliding a plate toward him. “Both of you.”

I smiled, reaching for my mug. “Just tired.”

Elijah nodded. “Practice ran late.”

Ethan grunted approvingly. “That’s good. Discipline carries over.”

I watched Elijah’s jaw tighten just slightly before he relaxed again. If anyone noticed, they didn’t say anything.

School passed in a blur. Classes, notes, side glances that lingered a second too long before snapping away.

Every time our paths crossed in the hallway, my heart did something reckless and stupid, like it hadn’t learned self- preservation yet.

I still couldn’t believe he wanted us to be together.

Despite all the risks.

By the time the final bell rang, my nerves were frayed in that quiet, humming way that usually preceded something important.

“Elijah,” I said as we packed up, keeping my tone deliberately neutral, “I’ve got my appointment.”

He paused, hand tightening on his bag strap. “Right. Today.”

“You don’t have to-”

“I know,” he cut in gently, then softened. “But I want to.”

The ride to the hospital was quiet, but not uncomfortable. His knee brushed mine when the car hit a bump, and neither of us moved away.

C

13:15 Sat, Dec 20 00

Chapter 179.

I stared out the window, counting breaths, trying not to overthink the way his presence stead me even when my thoughts threatened to spiral.

Dr. Adrian greeted us with his usual calm smile, clipboard tucked under his arm, eyes sharp and cha always made me feel seen a little too clearly.

“Claire,” he said warmly. “You’re right on time.”

Elijah stiffened beside me, polite but guarded. “I’ll wait outside if-”

“No,” I said quickly, surprising myself. “Stay.”

Dr. Adrian’s eyebrow lifted slightly, but he said nothing as he gestured us in.

The appointment was thorough. Too thorough. Questions about symptoms, reactions, sleep, stress levels.

in a way that

His gaze lingered when he spoke to me, his tone softening in a way that was meant to be reassuring but felt uncomfortably. intimate.

“You’ve been pushing yourself,” he said after a moment. “I can tell.”

“I’m managing,” I replied.

Elijah shifted in his seat. “She always says that.”

I shot him a look. “Excuse me?”

Dr. Adrian smiled faintly. “He’s not wrong. You’re good at downplaying.”

“I’m also good at knowing my limits,” I said, more sharply than intended.

Elijah leaned forward slightly, voice steady but edged. “And what happens when those limits change without warning?”

The room went quiet.

Dr. Adrian’s gaze moved between us, something unreadable flickering across his face. “That’s exactly why we’re adjusting the treatment. Claire, this new approach requires stability. Emotional consistency.”

Elijah’s jaw clenched. “Define consistency.”

I reached out without thinking, my fingers brushing his knee in a silent warning. “He means routine,” I said quickly. “Less

stress.”

Dr. Adrian watched the contact carefully. “Support systems help,” he said. “But attachments can complicate things if they become… overwhelming.”

The word hung there, loaded. Did he know?

“I can handle it,” I said firmly.

“I know you believe that,” he replied. “But belief doesn’t always align with biology.”

Elijah stood abruptly. “She’s not fragile.”

Dr. Adrian remained calm. “I didn’t say she was.”

The tension crackled. I felt it in my chest, sharp and uncomfortable,

That’s enough, I said, standing as well. “I’ll follow the treatment plan. We’re done here.”

Chapter 179

The rest of the appointment passed quickly after that.

Outside, the air felt easier to breathe.

“You didn’t have to snap at him,” Elijah said as we walked toward the car,

“I wasn’t snapping,” I replied. “I was setting boundaries.”

He glanced at me sideways. “You do that a lot.”

“Someone has to,” I said, then sighed. “You were too jealous to think properly.”

He didn’t deny it. “Yeah. I was. It’s not my fault he just seems predatory.”

The honesty startled me.

“That wasn’t about him,” I said quietly. “It was about feeling like I was being talked around instead of talked to”

He nodded slowly. “I get that.”

We drove home in thoughtful silence, fingers brushing when we reached for the same thing, tension easing into something softer, more settled.

At home, the kitchen was chaos in the best way. My mother moved between counters with practiced ease, humming under her breath, pots simmering, spices filling the air.

“Something smells amazing,” I said, dropping my bag.

She beamed. “I felt inspired.”

Elijah chuckled. “That’s dangerous.”

She laughed, swatting his arm lightly. “Go wash up.”

Ethan arrived not long after, boots heavy against the floor, guards lingering just long enough to announce his presence before disappearing again. He crossed the room in three strides, pulled my mother into a kiss without hesitation.

Elijah froze.

I stared.

Then groaned. “Do you have to do that in front of us?”

My mother only laughed, leaning into Ethan’s side. “It’s called affection, dear.”

Elijah cleared his throat, suddenly very interested in the wall. “I’m going to… go.”

I watched him retreat, my chest tightening with fondness and something dangerously close to hope.