His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 30

**Chapter 30**

**Claire’s POV**

As I held the phone up, the screen shimmered slightly, my hands quivering just enough to distort the faces of Lily and June on the other end. Their expressions were a mixture of shock and concern, and I could barely make out the details through my own blurring vision.

They were nestled together on a couch, the backdrop unmistakably Lily’s chaotic bedroom, a space I knew all too well. Fairy lights hung above her desk, twinkling like the stars I used to gaze at with them during our late-night chats, a bittersweet reminder of happier times.

The moment they spotted me, gasps escaped their lips in unison, a chorus of worry that tugged at my heartstrings.

“Claire,” Lily exclaimed, her eyes widening in horror. “Oh my God—you’re in the hospital again.”

I instinctively tried to angle the camera away from the stark white sheets and the ominous IV stand, but it was futile. The relentless beeping of the monitor was a stark reminder of my reality, and the sterile silence of the room enveloped me like a shroud.

“I’m fine,” I replied reflexively, forcing a smile that felt weak and hollow. “It’s nothing, really.”

June’s lips quivered, a clear indication of her distress. “You always say that.”

Her tone pierced through my bravado, and I felt a crack form in my carefully constructed facade. I lowered the phone slightly, my gaze slipping away from the screen as a wave of vulnerability washed over me. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Claire.” June’s voice softened, laced with genuine remorse. “I… I need to apologize. For that stupid thing I said before. About you ‘always almost dying.'” Her throat bobbed nervously. “It was cruel. I was angry and scared, and I didn’t mean it.”

A tightness gripped my chest, the weight of her words settling heavily on my heart. I hadn’t realized how much her comment had burrowed into my psyche, gnawing at me like a splinter I couldn’t dislodge.

I blinked hard, fighting back tears, and managed a small, trembling smile. “It’s okay.” My voice cracked under the strain of emotion. “I forgive you.”

Even through the pixelated screen, I could see June’s relief wash over her. She pressed her hands to her face, letting out a shaky laugh that echoed in the quiet of my room. “God, I’ve missed you.”

“Me too,” Lily chimed in, her voice warm and inviting. “We both have.”

The knot in my throat loosened just a fraction, the familiar sound of their voices a balm to my weary soul.

They began to chatter excitedly, their words tumbling over one another like a cascading waterfall, filled with snippets of gossip from my old school—names and stories that felt like echoes from a distant past.

“Ms. Carter finally quit!” Lily exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with the thrill of the latest news. “Someone crashed their car outside the gym. And can you believe it? Jamie broke up with his girlfriend!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle softly at that last bit. Jamie had always paraded around school with his girlfriend, as if they were destined for marriage.

As I listened, tears began to silently trace their way down my cheeks—not because their stories held any particular significance, but because they were still here. They were still my friends, still voices from a world that had once felt so safe and comforting.

“We hope you’ll get better soon,” Lily said gently, her tone filled with sincerity. “We just want you back.”

I swallowed hard, forcing another smile that felt more like a mask than a genuine expression. “Me too.”

Yet inside, my wolf curled tighter within me, a low whine echoing in the depths of my being. I didn’t know if I would ever truly get better.

We continued to talk until my phone’s battery dipped dangerously low, the red warning flashing on the screen. When we finally said our goodbyes, I found myself staring at the darkened screen long after their faces had disappeared, trying to cling to the warmth of their presence before it slipped away entirely.

A soft knock at the door interrupted my reverie.

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