Chapter 106 A Challenged
Her passive-aggressive behavior would stir up judgment from others, often leading them to ostracize or condemn the perceived offender on her behalf. Those she disliked quickly learned that life under Claire would not be easy.
And how did they know? Well, many of those closest to Levi had already experienced Claire’s underhanded schemes firsthand. After all, Levi—now the Beta—had never acknowledged Claire as Luna, nor did he intend to. This blatant rejection deeply dissatisfied Claire, and she had been trying to undermine and replace him ever since. But no matter what she did, Zion’s trust in Levi remained unshaken, and Levi subtly countered her efforts at every turn.
Because of this, Claire found herself unable to spread her influence within the Midnight River Pack as she had hoped. Instead of rising in power, she felt caged, trapped by Levi’s silent resistance and Zion’s indifference.
Frustration turned to restlessness, and impatience bred boldness. Eventually, she made a reckless move: she tried to seduce Zion directly, sneaking into his room under the cover of night. But her plan backfired—catastrophically. Not only did he nearly kill her in response, but the humiliation that followed cut deeper than anything she’d ever felt.
What stung her most wasn’t just the rejection—it was the way it happened. When she first entered, Zion had clearly been aroused while he was showering, his breathing heavy, his body tense with desire. She had caught him at a vulnerable moment, and seeing him like that, she thought she had a chance and take advantage of the situation. She thought she could finally make him hers.
But the moment she touched him, everything changed.
His desire evaporated in an instant, and the look he gave her—cold, sharp, utterly repulsed—shattered her confidence. His body reacted with brutal honesty, betraying her with the truth she never wanted to face: even at his most aroused, he had no desire for her. Not even when she stood before him completely bare.
She had never felt more degraded. That night, she realized there was something far worse than being ignored—being unwanted.
Because of this, Claire grew even more desperate to stake her claim—but how? She was running out of options. Then, the sudden announcement of the trip to the Royal Capital gave her hope. She thought that with Zion and Levi gone, she’d finally have a chance to make her move—maybe manipulate the pack members in their absence, slowly planting the idea that she should be treated as the rightful Luna.