His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 189

Chapter 189

Claire’s POV

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Thursday night, the house was quiet earlier than usual.

Mom had a prenatal check-up that ran late, and Ethan went with her. The snow had stopped falling, leaving the world outside muttled and sparkling under streetlights.

I was curled on my bed with my sketchbook, trying to finalize the last piece for the showcase-a lone silver wolf standing beneath a fractured moon-when my phone buzzed.

Elijah: Meet me downstairs in ten. Dress warm.

Me: What? Why?

Elijah: Just trust me.

I stared at the screen, heart already picking up speed. We’d never done anything like this-never risked leaving the house together when our parents weren’t home.

Me: Where are we going?

Elijah: You’ll see. Ten minutes.

I pulled on thick socks, my warmest boots, a knit beanie, and my long black coat. Downstairs, the kitchen light was off. Only the glow from the porch spilled through the window.

Elijah was waiting by the front door, bundled in his black puffer jacket, keys dangling from his fingers. He looked up when he heard me on the stairs, and the soft smile that spread across his face made my stomach flip.

“Hi,” he said quietly.

“Hi,” I whispered back. “Are we about to do something stupid?”

“Probably,” he admitted, stepping close to zip my coat the rest of the way up. His fingers lingered at my throat. “But I want one night that’s just us. No hiding in hallways. No pretending.”

I swallowed. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll like it,” he promised. “Come on.”

We slipped out the front door into the freezing night. His truck was already running in the driveway, engine humming softly, windshield clear of snow.

He opened the passenger door for me-something he’d never done when anyone could see-and offered his hand to help

me up.

I took it, warmth spreading through my gloves.

He drove slowly through the neighborhood, headlights cutting through falling flakes that had started again.

Soft music played-some indie playlist he knew I liked. Neither of us spoke much at first. We didn’t need to. My hand rested on the console; his covered it after a minute, fingers threading through mine.

“Where are you taking me?” I finally asked.

“You’ll see in five minutes,” he said, squeezing my hand. “Be patient, little wolf.”

Chapter 189

I smiled out the window.

We left the neighborhood behind, turning onto the old access road that led to the lake. In summer it was packed with families and boats. In winter, it was deserted-frozen over, silent, magical.

I had never really noticed it before.

He parked at the overlook point where the trees opened up to the wide expanse of ice glittering under moonlight. No other cars. No footprints. Just us.

He killed the engine.

“Come on,” he said softly.

We climbed out. The cold hit sharp, but he was already pulling a thick blanket from the back seat, along with a thermos and a small paper bag.

“You planned this,” I said, wonder creeping into my voice.

“Been thinking about it for weeks,” he admitted. “Waited for a night when they’d be gone.”

He led me down the gentle slope to the edge of the lake, spreading the blanket over the snow near a cluster of pines that blocked the wind. Then he sat, patting the spot beside him.

I lowered myself next to him, knees bumping his. He draped half the blanket over my shoulders, tucking it around us until we were cocooned together.

“Hot chocolate,” he said, unscrewing the thermos and pouring some into the lid for me. Steam curled up in the cold air. “With extra marshmallows, like you like.”

I took it, wrapping both hands around the warmth. “When did you even make this?”

“Before you came down.” He pulled two chocolate croissants from the bag-still warm, somehow. “Bakery was open late. Thought you’d be hungry.”

I stared at him. “Elijah…”

He shrugged, looking almost shy. “Wanted it to be nice.”

I leaned over and kissed him-soft, lingering, tasting chocolate and cold air.

“Thank you,” I whispered against his lips.

He smiled, small and real. “Worth it.”

We sat shoulder to shoulder, sipping hot chocolate, sharing bites of croissant, watching snow drift onto the frozen lake. The moon hung low and bright, turning everything silver.

“It’s beautiful,” I said quietly.

“You’re beautiful,” he answered, like it was the simplest truth in the world.

I turned to look at him. His cheeks were pink from the cold, eyelashes dusted with snowflakes. He was watching me, not the

lake.

“Tell me something,” he said softly.

“Like what?”

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.”

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