Chapter 1 Longing at Dawn, Farewell by Dusk At my so-called birthday banquet, I had the misfortune of slipping into Serena's gown-the dress that once belonged to Lucien's late fated mate. Before the eyes of the entire pack and every guest in the hall, eight-year-old Leo shoved me into the castle's frigid reflecting pool. He stood above me as I struggled in the water, his silver-gray eyes a mirror of his father Lucien's-remote, unfeeling, carved from ice. "Don't think that wearing my mother's dress makes you her," he spat, his childish voice colder than the pool itself. "The day I come of age and claim the Alpha's throne, my first act will be to cast you out-out of the pack, out of this family!" The pool closed over me, the chill piercing skin and marrow alike. I looked at the boy I had raised with my own hands for eight long years. There was no sorrow in me, no anger-only a breath of resignation. "You won't have to wait. Tomorrow, I'll be gone." The spring night breeze carried the same chill as the indifferent gaze of Alpha Lucien. I took the towel and dry clothes offered by the maid, intending to return to my room and change out of the soaked gown. I had barely taken a few stumbling steps, still clutching the towel around me, when the thorns by the poolside caught the hem of my dress. I turned too quickly, and a sharp rip split through the expensive fabric. "You wretched woman!" Leo, who had been watching with scorn moments before, transformed into an enraged pup, his eyes blazing crimson with hatred. "That was my mother's favorite dress!" My gaze was complex as I looked at him. "Leo, you're lying." My sister, Serena, had pursued opulence to the extreme, adorning herself with every gem, pearl, and diamond she could find. This simple, unadorned white gown held no appeal for her; she would have scorned it. Cornered by my words, Leo grew flustered. He stamped his foot in anger and ran off. In the past, even the slightest hint of his displeasure would have sent me into a frenzy of worry. But eight years of such treatment can chill even the warmest heart. I didn't chase after him to explain, as I always had. Chapter 1 10.00% After the guests departed, I returned alone to my room in the tower. Pushing the door open, I was met with the gruesome sight of a white cat, its neck broken, hanging before me. Dark red blood dripped onto the floor, staining my shoes and the once snow-white fur of my Snowball. As I stood there, stunned, Leo's taunting laughter echoed from behind. "Haha! Serves you right! You took my mother from me, so I'll take what matters most to you!" He stuck out his tongue and scampered away. I stared at the pool of blood, speechless for a long time. Years ago, I had arrived at this pack house from the distant borderlands, bringing only a hunting hawk, a steed, and a handful of soil from my homeland. I had been shaped from a free spirit into nothing more than the hollow shell of a woman. Yet, this vast estate could never contain my wild, untamable spirit. They had sent away my hawk, confined my horse, and handed me a squalling infant and a pure white cat. It had taken me eight years to raise them. But losing them happened in an instant. With a sigh, I caught the familiar scent of cold pine and snow-Lucien's signature fragrance. Looking up, I saw him standing silently in the shadows. Father and son were carved from the same mold: equally proud, equally aloof. His face was expressionless, waiting for me to apologize, as I had countless times before. But I simply began cleaning the stain on the floor, not granting him a glance. When I remained silent, his brow furrowed with displeasure as he stared at the blood on the floorboards. "I heard about today's events," he stated flatly. "Elara, you were still in the wrong." I glanced up, genuinely confused about my mistake. On many previous occasions when I'd been punished, I hadn't understood my transgression either, but I had accepted their scolding and anger because it displeased them. Now, seeing my lack of reaction, he frowned slightly, annoyed. His eyes fell on my purplish, frozen hands scrubbing with the rag, and his tone softened a fraction. "He's just a child. Why must you be so hard on him?" I wasn't being hard on him. I hadn't even uttered a word of accusation. But if I didn't smile, they immediately took it as a sign of dissatisfaction With a mere look from Lucien, a maid swiftly took the rag from me and cleaned the bloodstain. Chapter 1 10.00% The fire in the hearth flickered, casting dancing shadows around the room. Snowball, who had always loved curling up by the fireplace, was gone, as if he had never existed. -eight years of meticulous care had left no mark on the hearts of either father or son. Lucien, now changed into loungewear, sat on the sofa and tapped the coffee table, signaling me to pour wine. Out of habit, I complied. As I approached, his arm snaked around me, pulling me into his embrace. His long fingers traced my cheek, his breath warm against my neck, carrying an air of undeniable authority. "It's your birthday today. You can skip the suppressants. If you conceive, consider it my gift to you." His warm breath on my ear made my skin crawl. As an Alpha, Lucien possessed vigorous... appetites. During the first month after I replaced Serena and formed a new bond with him, becoming his mate, I had conceived. Before I could even feel joy, he had sent me a powerful abortifacient. "I will only ever love Serena. Leo is my only heir. If you had your own child, your attention would inevitably be divided, and you couldn't focus entirely on caring for Leo." After that, every time during my heat or at his mere whim, he would watch me take the special suppressants. For eight years, without fail. Tonight, faced with this condescending "generosity," I should have been overflowing with gratitude, feigning delight and submission. But for the first time, I avoided his touch. "Lucien, the eight-year contract we agreed upon expires today. Tomorrow, I will leave." Chapter 1 In the world of "Crimson Heiress" by CrushReel, business magnate Zelda falls victim to a treacherous plot orchestrated by her own brother and husband, unwittingly surrendering her empire to the cunning Yasmina. As Yasmina's sinister intentions unravel, Zelda meets a tragic fate. However, a twist of fate brings Zelda back to life, setting the stage for a riveting saga of betrayal, revenge, and redemption. Exploring themes of deceit, power struggles, and the complexities of relationships, "Crimson Heiress" delves into the intertwined lives of its characters against the backdrop of a captivating blend of CEO dynamics, time travel elements, and mysterious reincarnations. The narrative unfolds within the opulent setting of a grand mansion, where secrets are as abundant as the characters' ambitions. As Zelda navigates through her journey of transformation and retribution, readers are drawn into a web of drama that promises unexpected twists at every turn. What sets "Crimson Heiress" apart is its seamless fusion of suspenseful storytelling with elements of glow-up narratives and intricate character developments. With its gripping plotline and immersive exploration of vengeance and second chances, this ongoing tale captivates audiences seeking a compelling blend of mystery and drama. Discover the allure of "Crimson Heiress" for yourself; available to read online at CrushReel.