His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 193

Chapter 193

Chapter 193

Claire’s POV

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I swallowed, trying to steady myself, but my vision blurred at the edges. The lights smeared together, the colors bleeding into one another. My cars rang, and the noise grew distant, like was underwater.

“Jessica…” I tried to say her name, but it came out thin.

I reached for her arm, my fingers brushing fabric before slipping away. My hands felt weak. Numb. Like they didn’t belong

to me anymore.

The world spun.

Inside my head, my wolf stirred with panic and fear. She clawed at me from the inside, her fear spilling into my veins.

Danger.

Too loud.

Too much noise.

She didn’t care about the crowd or the celebration, she searched for one thing only.

Elijah.

I took a step—and my knees buckled.

“Claire?” Jessica turned just in time to catch me as I sagged forward. Her hands grabbed my shoulders. Her face went pale. “Claire? Hey-what’s wrong?”

I tried to answer, but my chest felt tight. My breaths came out short and shallow. The fireworks kept exploding overhead, their flashes stabbing at my eyes.

“I-I can’t-” My voice broke.

Jessica’s eyes widened in panic. “Help!” she shouted. “Someone Help! She’s fainting!”

People rushed toward us. Shapes and faces blurred together. I heard voices overlapping, rising in alarm.

“Is she okay?”

“She doesn’t look good.”

“Call a doctor!”

Hands hovered around me, too many, too close. The noise pressed in from every side. The fireworks continued, relentless each boom echoing inside my skull.

My wolf whimpered, frantic now.

Elijah. Elijah. Elijah.

The world narrowed until there was nothing but the pounding my chest and the desperate pull inside me.

Then…A scent reached me through the chaos.

Pine and fresh ice.

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Chapter 193

Elijah.

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Relief crashed over me so suddenly it almost hurt. My body wer weak at the same time, like it had been holding itself together just long enough for him to arrive.

Strong arms scooped me up before I could hit the ground. I felt myself lifted, pressed against a solid chest.

Without thinking, I grabbed fistfuls of his shirt, clinging to him like a lifeline.

The noise faded a little, and the spinning slowed.

“Elijah,” I whispered. “Please… talk to me.”

His grip tightened just enough to reassure me he had me. He turned, carrying me away from the crowd, his steps hurried but steady.

“I’m here,” he murmured near my ear. His voice was calm, grounding. “You’re okay. I’ve got you, Claire. Just breathe with me.”

I tried.

In through my nose. Out through my mouth.

My wolf settled slightly, still anxious but no longer panicking. She pressed close to him inside me, comforted by his

presence.

The fireworks sounded distant now, like thunder far away. I lifted my head, trying to look at his face, but my vision wouldn’t clear. Everything was hazy.

The last thing I saw clearly were his eyes-blue, rimmed with that familiar golden glow.

Then the darkness closed in.

When I woke up, my body felt heavy, like I was sinking into the mattress beneath me.

For a moment, I didn’t know where I was.

The room slowly came into focus-white walls, soft lighting, the faint smell of antiseptic. I blinked, my head throbbing dully.

The school infirmary.

I was lying on a cot, a thin blanket pulled up to my chest. My heart still beat unevenly, but the wild panic was gone, replaced by a lingering ache.

I pushed myself upright too quickly.

The memory hit me all at once.

The fireworks. The crowd. The showcase.

“Oh no,” I breathed. “The art showcase. What about the art show ase?”

I looked around, dread pooling in my stomach.

Everyone was there.

Mom sat beside the cot, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She looked pale, her eyes red-rimmed. Ethan stood behind her, one hand resting protectively on her shoulder.

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Chapter 193

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Jessica paced near the door, chewing nervously on her nail. Felix leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his expression tense.

And in the far corner…

Elijah.

He sat alone, elbows on his knees, hands clasped together. His eyes were fixed on me now, filled with something heavy and tired.

“Claire, sweetheart,” Mom said softly, reaching for my hand. “Please lie back down.”

“I’m okay,” I said automatically, though my voice shook. “Did I miss it? Is it over?”

Ethan shook his head. “No. The principal rearranged a few things. The showcase is starting later.”

Jessica stopped pacing. “They announced a short break. Said it was a technical issue.”

“You can still present,” Felix added gently. “If you’re feeling up to it.”

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

“Good,” I whispered. “I don’t want to miss it.”

Mom squeezed my hand. “You scared us.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “The fireworks just… startled me.”

“You collapsed,” Felix said quietly. “That was a little more than being startled.”

“It was my heart,” I said. “It’s done this before.”

The door opened before anyone could respond.

Dr. Adrian walked in with a clipboard in his hand. His expression was serious as his eyes settled on me. Elijah straightened slightly in his chair, his jaw tightening.

The tension between them filled the room.

“Claire,” Dr. Adrian said. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” I replied. “Still a little dizzy.”

He checked my pulse, then listened to my heart. His frown deepened.

“This is disappointing,” he said. “You’ve been responding well to reatment.”

“The fireworks triggered it,” I explained. “The noise was a little overwhelming.”

He sighed. “You need to be more careful. No sudden stressors. Rst tonight, take your medication, and I want to see you

tomorrow.”

“I understand.”

Dr. Adrian glanced around the room. “She needs quiet now. Everyone out.”

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