His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 69

**TITLE: Betrayal Births by Joseph King**

**Chapter 69**

Claire’s POV

As the first rays of sunlight broke through the horizon, I found myself balancing a plate filled with vibrant, freshly sliced fruit, making my way toward the inviting garden doors. The soft morning light streamed through the glass, casting a golden hue on the world outside. There, basking in the gentle warmth of the sun, sat Naomi. A cozy blanket was draped over her legs, and beside her, a small tray held a steaming cup of tea, sending tendrils of inviting aroma into the air. Today, she looked remarkably better; the pallor that had once clouded her face had lifted, replaced by a rosy glow that suggested health and vitality. Her hair, still a bit tousled, caught the sunlight, shimmering like spun gold.

“Look who finally decided to grace me with her presence!” Naomi exclaimed, her eyes twinkling with playful mischief as they locked onto mine. “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten I existed altogether.”

I placed the plate down gently on the table beside her and settled in next to her, the warmth of the blanket wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. “I had breakfast with my mom,” I replied, casting a glance her way, my concern palpable. “How are you feeling today?”

“Much better,” she said, a faint smile breaking across her lips. “I’m tired, but it’s not nearly as bad as it was before.” Her expression brightened as she added, “Your mom has been pampering me like I’m some kind of royalty. I might just decide to stay here forever.”

A chuckle escaped my lips at her playful tone. “You say that now, but just wait until Elijah starts complaining about you taking up too much space.”

“Please, he adores me,” she shot back, a playful glint dancing in her eyes.

“Of course, everyone adores you, Naomi,” I replied, reaching for a slice of crisp apple, the sweet juice bursting pleasantly in my mouth.

She shrugged, a skeptical look crossing her face. “You don’t sound like you truly believe that.”

“I do,” I insisted, though a flicker of uncertainty nagged at the corners of my mind.

Naomi’s smile dimmed slightly as she scrutinized me. “You seem different today. Calmer, perhaps? Or maybe just lost in thought?”

“Probably a bit of both,” I admitted, feeling the weight of her gaze pressing down on me.

An easy silence enveloped us, stretching comfortably between us. Then, with a delicate sip of her tea, she broke the stillness. “So, what’s the latest with you and Elijah?”

I nearly choked on the apple slice, my heart racing at her unexpected question. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, come on! I’ve noticed the way he looks at you now. He doesn’t glare as much, and you don’t seem ready to throw a punch at him anymore. Something must have shifted,” she teased, her expression both curious and knowing.

“Nothing has changed,” I replied, perhaps a bit too quickly, trying to sound convincing.

“Right,” she said, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “Totally believable.”

“I’m serious!” I protested, feeling the heat rush to my cheeks.

Naomi leaned in closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “You two are living under the same roof. Something significant had to occur.”

I turned my gaze away, anxiety bubbling within me. “You’re just imagining things.”

“Am I?” Her tone was gentle yet probing, causing a tight knot to form in my chest. I didn’t want to deceive her, but revealing the truth felt impossible. I couldn’t share the way Elijah’s eyes softened when they met mine, or the way my heart raced at the mere thought of his lips brushing against mine. Naomi had always had a soft spot for Elijah, and I didn’t want to jeopardize our friendship by sounding like a bad person.

I fiddled with the edge of the blanket, searching for the right words. “We’ve just been… talking more. That’s all there is to it.”

She hummed, clearly not convinced. “Talking, huh? Elijah isn’t exactly the easiest person to engage in conversation with.”

“He’s trying,” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Naomi tilted her head, intrigued. “Trying? Elijah?”

“Yeah, he’s been helping me with the gala preparations. You know, etiquette lessons, posture, all that fancy stuff,” I explained, feeling a mix of pride and embarrassment wash over me.

Her eyes lit up with interest. “Oh, so he’s teaching you how to be a Luna?”

I blinked, caught off guard. “What? No, that’s not—”

She burst into laughter, the sound bright and infectious. “Relax! I’m just teasing. But seriously, that’s great! You two could use some harmony after everything that’s happened.”

I offered a faint smile, the weight of her words settling in my chest. “You have no idea.”

Naomi stretched, adjusting the blanket over her lap. “You know, that night when they took me, I thought I had lost everything.”

I glanced at her, sensing a shift in her tone. It was quieter now, filled with an undercurrent of vulnerability.

“When they grabbed me,” she continued, her gaze distant, “I believed I would never see you again. I thought I would perish before anyone could find me.” She stared at the garden, her voice steady yet small. “What’s strange is that I didn’t even realize how terrified I was until I returned here.”

Setting my plate aside, I reached out, wanting to comfort her. “You’re safe now.”

She nodded slowly, a hint of gratitude shining in her eyes. “I know. And that’s all thanks to you.”

“Naomi—” I started, but she cut me off.

“No, really. You didn’t give up on me. You could have easily believed everything Elijah said about my involvement, but you didn’t. That means something to me.”

My throat tightened at her words. “You’re my friend. I couldn’t just accept that.”

She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “You always make it sound so simple.”

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