His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 79

**Chapter 79**

**Claire’s POV**

The rain fell relentlessly, a torrential downpour that transformed the world into a watercolor painting of blurred edges and muted colors. Elijah stood at the edge of the road, utterly still, his gaze fixed on the lifeless form of Claire as paramedics hurriedly worked to connect her to the machines inside the ambulance. The headlights of the vehicles sliced through the sheets of rain, casting an eerie glow that seemed to frame the chaos in a ghostly light. The air was thick with the acrid scent of wet asphalt mingling with the metallic tang of blood—her blood. It was a smell that would haunt him, a reminder of this moment that felt like a nightmare from which he could not wake.

He felt as if his feet were glued to the ground, immovable, as if the earth itself was holding him captive. His heart raced, pounding against his ribcage with a ferocity that matched the relentless rhythm of the rain. The sound echoed in his ears, drowning out everything else, a chaotic symphony that mirrored the turmoil within him. His hands trembled at his sides, veins standing out starkly against his pale skin, a testament to the cold that seeped into his bones.

Behind him, he could hear Naomi’s cries, small and fragile, struggling to be heard over the cacophony of the storm. “I didn’t mean for this to happen,” she sobbed, her voice breaking, laden with guilt and despair. Ethan’s voice cut through the noise, firm and commanding, laced with an urgency that sent a shiver down Elijah’s spine.

“Enough,” Ethan said, his tone slicing through the chaos like a knife. The older wolf’s coat was drenched, darkened by the rain, but his eyes still glowed faintly, remnants of his wolf form lurking just beneath the surface. “You’ve done enough for one night.”

Elijah clenched his jaw, feeling the primal growl of his wolf echoing within him, restless and furious. He wanted nothing more than to chase after that ambulance, to tear apart the man who had caused this—the man who had hit her. Adrian stood a few feet away, breathing heavily, his face pale and drawn under the flashing red lights. Elijah recognized that face, the one that now fueled a fire of rage deep within him.

“That doctor,” he muttered, the words slipping out more to himself than to anyone else, but they hung heavy in the air nonetheless.

Ethan’s gaze flicked toward him, a flicker of concern crossing his features as he caught the tremor in Elijah’s voice. “Get in the car. Now.”

Elijah remained silent, his body still rooted to the spot as the ambulance doors slammed shut with a finality that echoed in his chest. The vehicle pulled away, siren wailing, a sound that faded into the distance, leaving behind a haunting silence that made him feel hollow.

Naomi’s sobs broke through the stillness again, a sound that twisted painfully in his gut. She was still on the sidewalk, drenched to the bone, hands pressed against her face as if trying to shield herself from the reality of what had just happened. “I swear, I didn’t mean for this to happen,” she cried, her voice cracking with anguish.

“Be quiet,” Elijah snapped, his voice unsteady, a mix of anger and pain. He turned sharply toward her, and she froze, the fear in her eyes palpable. He pivoted back to Ethan. “I’m going to the hospital.”

“You’ll go when you can stand without shaking,” Ethan replied, his tone firm yet laced with a hint of understanding. “Get in the car. We’ll follow her.”

Elijah inhaled deeply, forcing air into his lungs as if it could fill the void inside him. His knuckles ached from the tension of clenching his fists too tightly. As he turned toward the car, his movements felt awkward and stiff, each step a battle against the weight of despair that threatened to drag him down.

The drive to the hospital was steeped in silence, a heavy blanket that suffocated any attempt at conversation. Naomi sat in the back, her head bowed, whispering to herself in uneven breaths, a mantra of guilt and sorrow. Elijah stared out the window, his reflection a mere shadow against the rain-streaked glass. The streets outside were a blur, the lights smeared into long streaks of color that his mind couldn’t quite grasp. Thoughts raced through his head, each one a fragment of a memory of Claire, each one ending with the sickening sound of impact and the sight of her body crumpling to the ground.

Upon their arrival, the corridor outside the emergency room felt cold and sterile, the harsh fluorescent lights glaring down at him like judgmental eyes. The smell of antiseptic filled his nostrils, tightening his throat. His clothes clung to him, soaked through, leaving small puddles beneath his feet. Ethan was engaged in a quiet conversation with a doctor, his voice low and steady, exuding the calm authority that Elijah envied. He strained to catch the words, but all he could discern was the rhythm of their tones.

Naomi sat a few seats away, visibly shaking, her eyes red and puffy, hands twisted together as if trying to maintain some semblance of control. Elijah couldn’t bear to look at her for more than a fleeting moment; the sight of her despair was too much to bear.

He rose from his seat, his legs carrying him closer to the emergency room doors, but a nurse stepped in his path, blocking his way. “You can’t go in yet,” she said, her voice firm yet compassionate. “We’re stabilizing her.”

His lips parted, but no words emerged. He nodded once, a silent acknowledgment, and stepped back. The nurse’s expression softened slightly. “She’s breathing,” she added quietly, as if trying to offer him a lifeline.

Those words settled in his chest, but they didn’t bring relief. It was far too early for that.

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