Claimed By My Stepbrother novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Camila POV

The hallway was nearly empty, quiet in the way that only came when school was winding down and everyone had either bolted for the exits or lingered in classrooms pretending to care about clubs they didn’t even like. My shoes scuffed the floor with every tired step, the fluorescent lights above buzzing softly, casting this cold, washed- out glow over the lockers and cracked tiles.

Where the hell was Tanny?

I’d been texting her for the past twenty minutes, hoping we could walk out together, maybe grab coffee or just sit in her car and avoid the world for a while. But she hadn’t replied. Radio silence. Totally unlike her.

My eyes swept over the nearly deserted hallway, and for a moment I thought maybe she’d already left without me. That stung more than I wanted to admit. I wrapped my arms around myself, hugging my hoodie tighter like it could patch up the tiny ache in my chest.

Maybe I should just leave-

A hand wrapped around mine.

Before I could even think to scream or pull away, I was yanked sideways–off balance, stumbling, heart immediately launching into overdrive. Panic exploded in my chest as I was dragged into one of the empty supply rooms just off the main hallway. The door slammed shut behind us with a solid thud and the next second, my back was pressed against the cold, dusty wall.

“What the hell!”

Liam.

His face was inches from mine. Breathing hard. Eyes darker than I’d ever seen them. There was something different about him–like something had snapped inside of his head. And I was suddenly very aware of how strong he was. His arm was braced beside my head, his other hand still holding my wrist, not hurting me, but firm–like he

wanted me still.

“You’re one of them,” he said, voice low and sharp, slicing through the thick silence between us.

I blinked up at him. “What?”

He didn’t move.

Didn’t even flinch as his stare burned into my skin.

“What are you talking about? My voice came out shaky.

“Don’t act like you don’t know,” he snapped. “I know one when I smell one.”

Smell?

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Chapter 82

The word echoed in my head, jarting and bizarre, What the fuck was he even talking about? One of who?

Liam stepped back just enough to look at me fall on, his expression twisted in frustration. “I was doubting my scent for a while,” he muttered, almost like he was talking to himself. “Yours wasn’t strong. It was… muted. Like you were hiding. So I thought, maybe I was wrong. Maybe you were just some random human. So I watched you.”

My mouth opened, but I couldn’t form a single coherent word.

“I stayed close,” he continued, his eyes scanning my face like he was waiting for something to crack. “Tried to feel it. Pick up a slip. A shift. But nothing. Not until that night.”

That night?

“What night…?! I asked.

Liam gave a low chuckle. “Don’t act dumb, Camila. I sent some guys out to bring you in–quietly. Nothing rough. I just needed confirmation.”

My blood ran cold.

Those masked men.

“You” My voice trailed off, the pieces of that night slamming into place.

You sent those men after me?”

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He didn’t deny it. Just tilted his head and smirked. “Funny thing, though. I never heard back from them. Not even a call. Like they just vanished into thin air. And I wonder why.”

My throat closed.

“I don’t have any lingering doubts anymore,” He continued, stepping closer again. “Your smell is fucking pungent now.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I snapped, my fear bubbling into frustration. “I’m not–whatever the hell you think I am. I’m not a werewolf. I’m not anything!”

“Werewolf?” He drawled. “Funny. I never mentioned anything about werewolves.”

“What?” I breathed.

He tilted his head, all slow and calculated, like a predator watching its prey realize it’s been cornered.

“I never said anything about werewolves,” he repeated, his voice low and amused. ‘I only said you were one of Them‘ but that’s what you jumped to, didn’t you? Makes me wonder… why that was the first thing that came to your mind.”

Shit.

My heart stuttered, and I felt it–pure dread crawling up my spine like cold fingers.

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Chapter 82

The smirk on his face grew wider, smug, like he’d just cracked open the last piece of the puzzle he’d been.

working on.

“Shut up,” I muttered, more to myself than to him.

Liam leaned closer, like he was trying to get a whiff of my panie. “Your scent is loud now, he whispered, too close. “Like it’s finally waking up. I wonder what changed…”

I stepped back quickly, spine hitting the wall again, chest tight. My hands were balled into fists and my throat was dry. He looked like he wanted to keep talking–keep toying with me but thank God for timing because the door creaked open, and the only person I needed in that moment walked in like the goddamn cavalry.

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