His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 185

Chapter 185

Chapter 185

Claire’s POV

Game night arrived like a storm we’d all been waiting for.

The rink was packed in the standing room only, air thick with the smell of popcorn, sweat, and winter-cold concrete. Our school’s black and silver banners clashed against the visiting team’s red, and the drumline in the student section never stopped.

I sat high in the bleachers with Jessica, close enough to see everything, far enough to pretend I wasn’t here for him.

Elijah was already on the ice for warm-ups, helmet off, hair damp and wild. He moved with the ease of someone who lived on the ice, each stride powerful and controlled.

The captain’s C stood out under the lights every time he turned.

Jessica nudged me with her elbow. “You’re spaced out. Are you okay?”

“I’m observing,” I muttered.

“Sure.” She smirked. “Observing how his jersey fits.”

I didn’t answer, because the second he’d stepped onto the ice, my wolf had sat up and taken notice, pacing restlessly under my skin.

The game started fast and brutal.

First round was scoreless, both teams trading hits like they had something to prove. Elijah took a hard check into the boards early-my heart stopped until he popped back up, shaking it off with that easy grin he saved for the crowd.

Second round, we scored first. Elijah assisted, threading a perfect pass through two defenders. The arena exploded.

He skated past our bench, tapping gloves with the guys, and for one split second his eyes flicked up to the stands- straight to me.

I didn’t breathe.

He looked away just as fast.

Third period turned ugly.

The score was tied 2-2 with eight minutes left when Felix got tripped in the neutral zone. No call. The crowd booed. Felix laughed it off on the bench, but I saw the way Elijah’s jaw tightened.

Then it happened.

We were on the power play. Elijah won the faceoff clean, passed it back to the point, and crashed the net. The puck came low, Felix redirected it-goal.

The horn blared. The place lost its mind.

Felix leaped into Elijah’s arms first, full-body celebration, sticks clattering to the ice. The rest of the team piled on, but Felix stayed latched on longest-arms around Elijah’s neck, helmet bumped against his, yelling something I couldn’t hear over the noise.

They broke apart laughing, skating to the bench for gloves and hugs from everyone else.

But something twisted hard in my gut.

It was stupid. I knew it was stupid. Felix was his best friend. They’d been playing together since goddess knows when. That kind of joy was normal.

My wolf didn’t care.

I spent the rest of the game with my arms crossed so tight my nails left marks in my skin.

We won 3-2 on an empty-netter with thirty seconds left. The final buzzer sounded and the team swarmed the ice again, helmets off, hair sweaty, faces split with huge grins.

Felix found Elijah first-again. This time he jumped on his back, legs wrapped around his waist, arms over his shoulders, shouting something that made Elijah throw his head back and laugh.

The jumbotron caught it. The whole arena saw it.

They looked… easy together. Happy in a way that didn’t hard to ide

I hated how much it hurt.

Jessica glanced at me. “You okay?”

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Chapter 185

“Fine,” I lied.

Down on the ice, the team lined up for handshakes. Elijah was last, as captain. He said something to the other captain, tapped gloves, then turned toward the tunnel.

That’s when the cheerleaders rushed the ice.

Tradition after a big win-quick photos, congratulations, nothing serious.

Audrey was front and center, of course.

She threw her arms around Elijah before he could sidestep, pom-poms and all. He hugged back politely-one-armed, brief- but she held on a second longer, saying something close to his ear.

My vision tunneled.

Then Felix skated over, still riding the high, and pulled Audrey into the celebration too. Group hug. Laughter. Flashing cameras from parents in the stands.

I stood up.

“I’m heading out,” I told Jessica.

She grabbed my wrist. “Claire-”

“I just need air.”

I pushed through the crowd before she could stop me, down the stairs, past families and screaming kids, out into the cold lobby where the noise dulled to a muffled roar.

I didn’t go far-just leaned against the cinderblock wall near the exit, breathing hard, trying to calm my wolf before she did something stupid like shift in public.

Footsteps approached.

I knew it was him before I looked up.

Elijah emerged from the tunnel door, still in full gear minus his helmet, hair plastered to his forehead, cheeks flushed from the cold and adrenaline. He stopped when he saw me, surprise flickering across his face.

We hadn’t spoken since yesterday. Not once.

He glanced around-no one close-then took a cautious step closer.

“You left early,” he said, voice low.

“Got crowded.”

He nodded slowly, eyes searching mine. “You watched the whole game.”

It wasn’t a question.

“Yeah.”

Another step. Close enough now that I could smell the ice on him, sharp and clean.

“You’re upset,” he said quietly.

I laughed-short, bitter. “You think?”

He flinched.

I looked away, jaw tight. “Forget it. Congratulations. Great game.”

“Claire-”

“You and Felix looked happy out there” I cut in, unable to stop myself. “Really happy.”

His brows pulled together. “What?”

“The jump. The piggyback. The whole thing.” My voice stayed even, but my wolf was growling low. “Looked good on the jumbotron.”

He stared at me like I’d lost my mind. Then understanding hit.

“You’re jealous,” he said, not quite a question.

I didn’t answer.

“Of Felix?” He almost laughed, but caught it when he saw my face. “Claire, he’s my best friend. We’ve done that since we

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