Hades' Cursed Luna novel Chapter 83

Eve~

I watched him laughed at me, my face burning hot. His laughter was intoxicating; smoky and deep, like a melody that danced along the edges of my embarrassment. But it was also infuriating and hurtful.

"You’re such a jerk," I muttered, shrinking further into the water as his laughter finally began to subside.

Hades wiped his eyes, his smirk lingering as he crouched again, holding the drenched book in his hand like it was the most amusing artifact he’d ever found. "Red," he said, his voice husky, laced with genuine curiosity. "There is no need for that." His gaze turned dark with a promises of murder. An expression that always made a chill run down spine. "What happened today will never happen again."

I blinked up at him. "You know?"

His brows scrunched up, his mouth curving downward in disgust. "Why would I not know what happens in my tower?" He asked, offended.

I looked down. "It’s Kael’s family."

"So?" He asked. "They are still my subjects and you are not allowed in the left wing ever again." He stared in a tone that brooked no argument.

"I just keep hiding?" I asked.

His gaze hardened, his jaw tightening as he regarded me. "This isn’t about hiding, Red," he said, his voice low and clipped. "It’s about staying safe." _{frёeweɓηovel.coɱ}

I bristled, the lingering sting of humiliation mixing with frustration. "Safe?" I repeated, my voice rising slightly. "Safe from *what,* Hades? Words? Disapproval? I can’t live my life tucked away in a corner because people don’t like me."

"You don’t know what my people are capable of," he shot back, his tone sharp. "Have you not learned from what Felicia did, she---"

"tortured me," I interrupted, glaring at him now. "And I could do nothing but call for a wolf who could not hear me." Tears stung my eyes but I forced them back. This was not time to show weakness. I was not backing down. Watching a wolfless woman like me defend me had been an eye opener. I lost Rhea but it did not mean I had to be vulnerable and useless. A liability.

He leaned in closer, his shadow falling over me as his eyes bored into mine. "You don’t need to fight your battles alone. That’s what I’m here for."

"That’s not the point!" I snapped, slamming my palms against the surface of the water. The sound echoed through the bathroom, silencing us both. My breaths came fast, my chest heaving as I tried to collect myself. "I don’t want to be just another problem for you to solve, Hades. I want to be... useful. Strong. Like Jules. She doesn’t have a wolf, but she doesn’t let that stop her. And neither should I."

He stared at me, his expression unreadable, his shoulders bunching.

I pressed on, my voice quieter but no less firm. "You think you’re protecting me by keeping me locked away, but all it does is make me feel small. Helpless. Like I’m not even worth fighting for because you won’t let me fight for myself. You said it yourself, I am a liability." I tossed his words right back at him, with more venom than I thought was possible.