Simon nodded in thanks as the servant handed him a glass of water. He took a few slow sips. Once done, he placed the glass gently on the table in front of him.
"If you're hiding any ill intent," Ronan began, "you should reconsider staying here. Lucien won't show mercy. He'll have you locked up and tortured until Malrik breaks."
Simon let out a dry, bitter chuckle. "Even if I were on my deathbed, my brother wouldn't come for me."
Leia and Ronan exchanged a brief glance, startled by the unexpected response.
"What do you mean?" Leia asked, her voice gentler now. "Aren't you two real brothers?"
Simon nodded. "We are. But I'm a beta." He paused, then looked away as he added, "And my brother despises me for it."
"Why?" Leia's brows knitted in confusion.
"If your parents are both alphas," Simon explained, "then their child is expected to be a born alpha. Malrik was... and I wasn't. I was born a beta, a disappointment in his eyes. He sees me as weak."
