Chapter 9 Lucien's tall frame blocked the cave entrance. His face was dark with fury. His silver-gray eyes first landed on me, then, like ice daggers, stabbed towards Michael crouched near me. When he saw how close Michael was, and my lack of resistance, his anger exploded into murderous intent! "Elara!" His voice was like dredged from an ice pit. "So here you are! Consorting with some nameless rogue! Have you no regard for my dignity?" Olena peered out from behind him, her face a mask of gleeful schadenfreude and venom as she looked at Michael and me. "Lucien, what did I tell you? Miss Elara can't stand being alone! She just left the pack and already can't wait to find her next man! Probably been carrying on behind your back!" Lucien's pheromones pressed down more violently, trying to force my submission, to make me kneel and beg forgiveness. In the past, I would have collapsed. But now. I actually stood up, slowly, firmly, under that pressure. I met Lucien's gaze directly. "Lucien," my voice was quiet but crystal clear, "there is nothing left between you and me. Who I am with is none of your concern." "None of my concern?" Lucien laughed, a harsh, disbelieving sound. He stepped closer, his pheromones a tangible mountain weighing down. "You are the shadow I kept for eight years! You bear my mark! Even if I discard you, no one else gets to touch what was mine!" His words were like the sharpest blades, slicing open my dignity once more. Michael stood up as well. He simply stood by my side. Effortlessly, he blocked Lucien's aggressive aura. It was like an invisible wall, shielding me. Lucien's pupils contracted sharply. He finally gave Michael his full attention, "Who are you?" Michael didn't answer him. Instead, he looked at me, his eyes encouraging. "Elara," he said, "tell him who you are.' >> Chapter 9 90.00% Who was I? I had been lost for eight years. Now, under Lucien's humiliating gaze, encouraged by Michael's trust, driven by that surging power within me that belonged to me alone...An answer broke through. I took a deep breath, feeling a shackle deep in my bloodline shatter. A scorching power gathered from my limbs and bones. I raised my head and looked at Lucien, enunciating each word clearly: "I am not Serena's shadow." "I am not your kept woman." "I am not your property to be branded at will!" My voice grew stronger, filled with a newfound power and finality. "I. Am. Elara!" As I spoke, I felt my body changing! Subtle cracks came from my bones. My vision sharpened, my hearing grew more acute. A primal strength filled my limbs! Most noticeably, the arrow wound on my shoulder and the old bone injury on my left arm were healing visibly, rapidly! A tremendous power erupted uncontrollably from within me! Lucien froze completely. For the first time, his face showed disbelief, bordering on horror! "Impossible! Your pheromones... how...?" He seemed to be witnessing the most inconceivable event, "This aura... it's... the 'Sovereign of the Wastes'? An ancient bloodline thought extinct... how could it awaken in you?!" Olena was also terrified, her face pale as she retreated. Michael looked at me. His amber eyes held no surprise, only full appreciation and... a kind of "I knew it" understanding. He smiled slightly and said to the stunned Lucien, slowly, "Now you understand." Chapter 9 "She was never an object of your pity or condescension." "She is someone you, and indeed the entire Northern Pack, could never hope to be worthy of." Chapter 9 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.