His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 195

Chapter 195

Claire’s POV

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The applause still echoed in my ears as I stepped off the small platform, my legs a little shaky from the rush of emotion.

The lights came up slowly, and people started moving toward the exhibits again, murmuring praise and snapping photos.

Jessica found me immediately, throwing her arms around me in fierce hug.

“That was beautiful,” she whispered against my shoulder. “I swear half the room was crying. You okay?”

I hugged her back, laughing softly through the lump in my throat. “Yeah. I’m good. Really good.”

She pulled away, eyes shining. “Come on, let’s do a lap. People want to talk to the artist.”

We wandered the floor together for a while, answering questions accepting compliments. Mom and Ethan found us eventually, both teary-eyed.

Mom cupped my face and kissed my cheek. “We’re so proud of you, sweetheart. Those words… they came from your heart.”

I nodded, too full to speak. Ethan just squeezed my shoulder, his quiet way of saying the same.

I kept scanning the back of the room for Elijah. He was there, leaning against the far wall, arms crossed, watching me with that soft, proud smile that made my stomach flip.

Every time our eyes met, he tilted his head a little, like he was saying I told you so.

After twenty minutes of circulating, I needed air. The gym felt warm with all the bodies and lights. I mouthed bathroom to Jessica and slipped out a side door into the quieter hallway that connected to the art wing.

The corridor was empty, dimly lit, cool. I leaned against the wall for a second, closing my eyes and letting the high settle.

Footsteps approached in the silence, familiar, steady.

Elijah.

He stopped in front of me, hands in his pockets, looking almost shy. “Hey,” he said softly.

“Hey yourself,” I smiled.

He stepped closer, breaking into a full grin. “You were incredible up there. I’m not just saying that. The way you talked about the shadows and the waiting… it felt like you were talking straight to me.”

My heart squeezed. “I was.”

He reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. love you,” he murmured. “So much it’s stupid.”

I laughed quietly, even though my wolf had started running laps in my head. “Good kind of stupid.”

He glanced down the empty hall, then leaned in, kissing me slow and deep, one hand settling at my waist.

I melted into it, my fingers curling into his shirt. The kiss tastedke relief and promise and everything we had almost lost last night.

We were so lost in each other that neither of us heard the door en

“Oh my God.”

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Chapter 195

We broke apart fast, my heart thudding painfully at the realization that we had just been caught.

Jessica stood frozen in the doorway, eyes wide, mouth open in a perfect O.

For a second, no one spoke.

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Then her shock melted into the biggest grin I had ever seen. “I knew it,” she whispered fiercely. “I freaking knew it.”

Elijah recovered first, rubbing the back of his neck. “Jess-”

She held up both hands. “No, no, don’t explain yet. I need to process the fact that my closest friend and her ridiculously hot stepbrother have been-” She waved a hand between us. “-doing this the whole time I’ve been telling her to spill.”

I felt my face burn. “Jessica-”

She stepped forward, shutting the door behind her so no one else would walk in. “How long?”

“A few weeks,” I admitted quietly.

Her eyes softened. “And you didn’t tell me because…..?”

“Because it’s complicated,” Elijah said. “Family. Everything, it’s not supposed to happen.”

Jessica looked between us, reading the tension that still lingered from the fight, the worry in my eyes, the protectiveness in

his.

Her expression shifted from glee to understanding.

“Okay,” she said gently. “Complicated I get. But Claire, you don’t have to handle it alone. I’m your person. You could’ve trusted me.”

“I know,” I said, voice thick. “I was scared. I’m still scared.”

She reached out and pulled me into another hug. “I’m not going anywhere. And I’m not telling anyone. Your secret’s safe.”

Elijah exhaled like he’d been holding his breath for weeks. “Thank you, Jess.”

She released me and pointed at him playfully. “You. If you ever hurt her, I know where you park your truck.”

He laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “Fair.”

Jessica looked back at me, eyes sparkling again. “Also, you two are disgustingly cute together. Like, unfairly cute. I hate you a

little.”

I laughed, the last of the tension draining away. “Love you too.”

She checked her phone. “People are starting to leave. You should do one more lap as the star artist. Then we’ll get snacks and you can tell me the non-scandalous version of this story.”

“Deal,” I said.

She gave Elijah a knowing look. “You-behave. For now.”

He held up his hands in surrender. “Always.”

Jessica slipped back into the gym, leaving us alone again.

Elijah pulled me into his arms once the door closed. “That couldve gone worse.”

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