The Disparaging Beta

Hades

James' voice was smooth, diplomatic—a polished blade sliding between Ellen's ribs.

"I have to admit, Princess," he mused, tilting his head, "I never imagined you would be so… easily swayed. To think that the Ellen I knew—the daughter of Darius and Lyra, the rightful heir of Lunar Heights—would discard her own blood so effortlessly. All for a man who was once our enemy."

Ellen did not flinch.

But I felt her.

The way her fingers flexed against my arm, gripping me tighter, grounding me.

Because she knew.

She knew I wanted to speak.

No—she knew I wanted to end him.

James' lips curled slightly, his words calculated, pressing against every crack she had tried to seal. "You speak of cages," he continued, voice light, conversational. "And yet, you have willingly stepped into a far more dangerous one. You cling to him. Defend him. And for what, exactly?"