Her passive-aggressive behavior would stir up judgnt 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 sches 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 mont, 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 mont 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 sothing 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 announcent 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 mbers in their absence, slowly planting the idea that she should be treated as the rightful Luna.
But to her shock, they were bringing her with them.
Just like that, her plans crumbled. Forget trying to manipulate her way into the hearts of the Midnight River Pack or Zion’s bed—now her biggest problem was how to survive this trip without being exposed. Everyone was starting to suspect that she was the missing princess.
She had intended to use that secret identity as leverage—to charm her way into Zion’s life and beco Luna before the truth ca out, and then feign ignorance or innocence afterward. It was a calculated risk. Especially after she discovered that Addison wasn’t Zion’s fated mate, just his chosen one. That revelation had emboldened her; she figured that if Addison wasn’t his true mate, replacing her wouldn’t co with heavy consequences.
But now? Claire was no longer sure. And for the first ti, she realized the ga she was playing might be spiraling far beyond her control.
And to think that they were taking her to the Royal Capital—and she had yet to secure the title of Zion’s Luna. If they discovered that she was an impostor, Claire couldn’t even begin to imagine what might happen to her.
When she was brought down to the hall for breakfast, her attendants ushering her forward, Claire held her head high and wore a mask of regal confidence. But only she knew the truth—her insides were trembling with fear.
She was terrified. So terrified that her mind felt like it was overheating from the whirlwind of thoughts, scrambling for a way out. But there was none. She wasn’t just cornered—she had backed herself into this corner with lies, and now there was no easy escape.
She even sat at the Luna’s seat without hesitation. So when Zion entered the hall, the first thing he saw was Claire occupying Addison’s rightful place.
Back then, it had been wrong of him to let Claire sit there in front of Addison. He knew now that it wasn’t just thoughtless—it was cruel. He had done it to hurt her, whether consciously or not.
But after a long period of self-reflection, Zion realized how deeply mistaken he’d been. He should have set clear boundaries from the beginning. Then again, if he had, he wouldn’t have been able to deceive anyone. No one would have believed Claire was his fated mate. And before his secret ssage to the Royal Capital could even arrive, word would’ve spread that he was hiding the missing princess. Trouble would have co knocking long before he was ready to face it.
Zion furrowed his brows so deeply, it looked as though he could crush a fly between them."Miss Claire," he said coldly, his voice echoing through the hall, "I believe that seat belongs to my wife, Addison. My Luna."
His words sent a ripple of shock through everyone present, none more than his mother, who had just entered the hall to share breakfast with her son and see them off on their journey. Her face imdiately twisted in displeasure. Though she ca to bid him farewell, anger surged in her chest. She still hadn’t forgiven Addison, whom she regarded as a cursed on.
Claire’s face, however, drained of color. Her hands trembled slightly on the table.
Still, she held her ground.
Lifting her chin, she forced a smile, locking eyes with Zion. Her gaze narrowed into crescents, and though her lips curved upward, the look she gave him was anything but soft. There was a challenge lurking behind that smile—a silent ssage in her eyes: "I am the royal princess. I can sit wherever I please. I dare you to make move."
Zion’s jaw tightened, his eyes flickering gold—an unmistakable sign that he wasn’t just offended. He was triggered. Shura, his wolf, surged to the surface, and a crushing wave of his Alpha aura slamd down on the entire hall.
Claire felt it too—every inch of her body tensed under the weight—but her saccharine smile only deepened. Though fear curled in her gut, she had long since learned to mask it. After years of being imprisoned by the Vampire Lord, bluffing had beco second nature. She wouldn’t back down now.
Besides, Zion believed she was the royal princess. That alone, she thought, would force him to swallow his pride and let this pass.
She was wrong.
Zion had already nearly killed her once when she dared to seduce him. Putting her in her place now? That would be nothing in comparison.
More importantly, Zion and Levi had begun to see through her act. The fact that no one from the Royal Capital had co to retrieve her—not even her supposed father, the Alpha King—raised too many red flags. She hadn’t been reinstated. She wasn’t favored. She might have already been discarded.
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