His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 188

Chapter 188

Claire’s POV

The weekend came and went in a blur of snow flurries and late-night whispers.

Elijah’s team crushed their playoff opener Saturday night. I sat in the stands with Jessica, screaming myself hoarse when he scored the game-winner in overtime.

Afterward, the team spilled into the parking lot, music blasting from someone’s truck, breath fogging in the cold. I kept my distance, hoodie up, hands in pockets, but his eyes found me across the crowd anyway.

He lifted his stick in a small, private salute. I smiled into my scarf.

Sunday we stole an hour in the basement while Mom napped and Ethan watched football upstairs.

Just kissing-slow, lazy, curled together on the old couch with a blanket over us. His fingers traced the mate mark spot on my neck over and over, like he was memorizing it for later.

“Soon.” he murmured against my skin.

I didn’t ask what he meant. I already knew.

Monday hit like a reset button.

The school was electric, arts showcase posters everywhere, academic relay banners in the halls, playoff brackets taped to every locker room door. One week until everything collided.

Morning assembly was mandatory. Principal droning about school pride, upcoming events, reminders not to vandalize the rival mascot.

Elijah sat three rows ahead with the hockey team, jersey on, captain’s C prominent. I sat with Jessica and the art kids.

When the lights dimmed for the slideshow, his head turned just enough that I caught his profile in the glow. He mouthed something I couldn’t read. I tilted my head in question. He smiled, small and secret, then faced forward again.

Jessica elbowed me. “You two are not subtle.”

“Shh.”

After assembly, the halls flooded. I was fighting my way to lit when someone called my name.

“Claire! Wait up.”

I turned. Felix, jogging to catch me, backpack half-zipped, hair a mess like always.

“Hey,” he said, falling into step. “Big week, huh? Relay finals Friday, showcase same night. You’re gonna be everywhere.”

“Feels like it,” I admitted, weaving through the crowd.

“You nervous?”

“A little. Both teams are strong this year.”

“You’ll crush it,” he said confidently. “You always do.” He paused at the junction where our paths split. “Hey, random question-there’s this coffee place downtown that just opened. Insane lattes, chill vibe, open mic on Thursdays. Thought maybe after all this craziness dies down, we could check it out. You, me, no pressure.”

I stopped walking. Here it was again. Sweeter this time, less hallway-ambush, more genuine.

Felix rubbed the back of his neck. “I know you’ve got a lot going on, and I’m not trying to add stress. Just… thought it could be fun.”

He was looking at me with that open, hopeful expression that made it impossible to be annoyed.

I opened my mouth to let him down gently-again-when a shadow fell over us.

Elijah.

He didn’t say anything at first. Just stood there, arms crossed, blocking half the hallway like he owned it.

His eyes were fixed on Felix, gold bleeding slowly into the irises.

Felix noticed the shift in temperature. “Uh… hey, man.”

“Practice starts in twenty,” Elijah said, voice low and even. “Coach wants captains early for film.”

“Yeah, I’m headed there now.” Felix glanced at me. “Think about the coffee thing?”

I nodded once. “Sure. I’ll think about it.”

Felix smiled, oblivious to the storm brewing beside him, and jogged off toward the gym.

The hallway traffic thinned as the warning bell rang. People hurried past us.

Elijah didn’t move.

I exhaled. “Elijah-”

“Think about it?” he repeated quietly.

“He’s your best friend.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Then what is?”

He stepped closer, voice dropping so only I could hear. “The point is I’m losing my mind watching him ask you out every other day like I’m not standing right here wanting to break something.”

I glanced around-no one close, but voices echoed from classrooms. “We’re in school.”

“I know where we are.” His jaw flexed. “Doesn’t change how it feels.”

I reached out, fingers brushing his wrist. “I’m not going.”

“You said you’d think about it.”

“To be polite.” I tugged him toward the empty art wing hallway-quieter, dimmer. “I’m not interested in Felix. I’m not interested in anyone else. You know that.”

He followed, but tension rolled off him in waves. When we were out of sight, he backed me gently against the wall, hands braced on either side of my shoulders.

“Say it again,” he said.

“I’m not interested in anyone else.”

His eyes searched mine. “Then why does it keep happening?”

“Because we can’t tell the world we’re together,” I said softly. “So to them, I’m single. To them, you’re single. That’s the deal we made.”

“I hate the deal.”

“Me too.”

He leaned in, forehead against mine. “I keep thinking about marking you. Just ending it. Letting everyone see.”

My breath caught. The idea sent heat spiraling through me-possessive, primal.

Even my wolf whined in acceptance.

“You know we can’t,” I whispered. “Not yet.”

“I know.” His voice cracked slightly. “Doesn’t stop me from wanting to.”

One of his hands slid down, fingers lacing with mine against the wall. The other traced my collarbone, dipping just under the neckline of my sweater, right where his mark would someday sit.

I shivered.

“Elijah… we’re gonna be late.”

“Let them be late.” He pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth, then another to my jaw, slow and deliberate. “I need this.”

I melted into him, hands sliding up his chest, gripping his jersey. The kiss deepened fast-frustrated, hungry, all the jealousy and restraint pouring out. He tasted like coffee and winter air and barely leashed wolf.

When we broke apart, both breathing hard, he rested his forehead against mine again.

“Tell Felix no,” he said quietly. “Not polite. Just no.”

“I will.”

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