His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 67

**Betrayal Births**
by Joseph King
**Chapter 67**

Claire’s POV

As I crossed the threshold into Naomi’s room, her voice rang out with a teasing lilt that sliced through the air. “You walk like an old lady,” she quipped, the lightness in her tone barely masking the fatigue that lingered in her eyes.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes dramatically, shutting the door gently behind me. “And you still manage to chatter incessantly for someone who nearly got herself killed,” I shot back, a playful smirk dancing on my lips.

Naomi’s grin broadened as she adjusted the pillow propped behind her back, settling in with an air of determination. “That’s how you know I’m on the mend,” she replied, mischief glimmering in her eyes.

I glided over to the bedside table, carefully placing the tray I had brought. “Tea, toast, and those biscuits you’ve been raving about. The doctor insisted you should start incorporating more solid foods into your diet,” I informed her, my voice steady, though a hint of concern crept in.

Naomi propped herself up slightly, her movements cautious as if testing her own strength. “I was secretly hoping for pancakes, but I suppose this will have to do,” she said, a playful pout forming on her lips that was hard to resist.

“Don’t push your luck, Naomi,” I warned, chuckling softly at her audacity.

She let out a quiet laugh, reaching for the steaming cup of tea, the sound echoing in the small guest room like a comforting melody that wrapped around us. I pulled a chair closer, sinking into it and tucking my legs beneath me. For a brief moment, we sat together in a companionable silence, and I watched as she lifted the cup to her lips, a faint tremor still evident in her hands. It was a stark reminder of her fragility, her complexion pale and her frame thinner than I remembered, yet the spark in her eyes had returned. That was a small victory, at least.

“Ethan mentioned that I should be able to walk properly in about a week,” she said after a pause, her voice gaining strength. “He’s been sending guards to check on me every few hours. It’s a bit strange, honestly.”

“He’s just being cautious,” I replied, narrowing my eyes slightly. “He doesn’t want them coming back for round two.”

Naomi nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. “I still can’t wrap my head around everything that happened. Sometimes it feels like it was someone else’s life, you know?”

“You’re safe now,” I reassured her, my voice firm, hoping to instill some sense of comfort.

“I know,” she replied, taking another sip of tea, a faint smile gracing her lips. “You’ve been checking on me every single day.”

“I didn’t want you to feel lonely,” I confessed, trying to brush off the weight of my concern, though it felt heavier than I let on.

“I didn’t expect you to care so much,” she said, her tone softening, genuine surprise flickering in her eyes.

“I do care,” I affirmed, the words hanging between us, heavy yet oddly comforting.

Her smile deepened, and for a moment, the weight of the world felt a little lighter. The air around us, thick with unspoken words, felt less burdened than it had in days. For the first time since her return, Naomi appeared unshackled from the ghosts that had haunted her.

After a short while, she tilted her head, a curious glint sparkling in her eyes. “So, how’s your Alpha-in-training?”

I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. “What?”

“Elijah,” she said, drawing out his name, clearly waiting for a reaction. “He’s been acting differently lately—less cold, less angry.”

I shrugged, attempting to mask the flutter in my chest. “He’s fine.”

Naomi’s skeptical gaze told me she didn’t buy my nonchalance. “Fine? Just fine? That’s all you’ve got?”

“He’s busy. He’s always busy,” I replied, trying to sound indifferent, though my heart raced at the thought of him.

“Busy being mysterious,” she quipped, a teasing lilt in her voice. “You two have been spending more time together, haven’t you? I heard you’ve been doing etiquette training.”

I groaned, exasperated. “Who told you that?”

“The maids talk, Claire. Apparently, you’re a natural at it,” she said with a mischievous grin.

I couldn’t help but laugh softly. “That’s the sweetest lie I’ve heard all week.”

“Still, it’s cute seeing you two not at each other’s throats for once. I used to think you were going to kill each other,” she remarked, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

“That option is still on the table,” I replied dryly, unable to hide the smile tugging at my lips.

“Of course it is,” she said, setting her cup down while studying me intently. “But you don’t hate him anymore, do you?”

I diverted my gaze to my hands, feeling the weight of her question settle heavily in the air. “I don’t know.”

“He’s not the easiest person to deal with,” she added gently. “But I think he cares about you more than he lets on.”

Silence enveloped us as I grappled with my emotions, my throat tightening. I couldn’t trust my voice right now.

Naomi leaned back, the teasing glint in her eyes returning. “He’s quite handsome, you know. If I were living with someone like him, I’d probably lose my mind.”

I shot her a pointed look, unable to suppress a smile. “You already have a crush on him. Don’t pretend you’re holding back.”

She burst into laughter, a little too loud for the quiet room. “You caught me! I do, but it’s harmless. I know he’s technically your brother, so that’s off-limits.”

The word ‘brother’ froze me in place, sending a chill down my spine.

Naomi continued, blissfully unaware of the shift in my mood. “It must be weird, right? Living with your stepbrother who’s an Alpha heir? It must get awkward sometimes.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. My stomach tightened, and I struggled to formulate a response. I forced a small smile, trying to mask my discomfort. “Yeah. Awkward.”

She didn’t catch the nuance in my tone, instead picking at her toast, humming softly to herself, blissfully unaware of the turmoil brewing within me.

The silence stretched, and I felt the guilt creeping into my chest. I shouldn’t be feeling this way. I shouldn’t be thinking about him when Naomi was right here, trusting me, believing everything was normal. I told myself it was a mistake, that it meant nothing, but the memory flashed in my mind—his hands, his voice, the way everything else faded away when he was near.

I took a deep breath, breaking the tension. “You should rest more. You still look tired.”

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