Reborn To Defy The Alpha-Chapter 73: The Beta Spoke Up For Him

Marta had been ordered to serve Rhea properly, and she knew better than to disobey the Beta, especially after he made it clear the order came from the Alpha himself.

That disgusting girl, she thought darkly. How could the Alpha forgive her after what her parents did? Just because she tells a few fairytales? Goddess favored, my foot.

"Make it quick. And don’t make a mess," she said, her voice tight with reluctant authority. Timmy hurriedly lifted the tray, careful not to wobble a single item, and slipped out of the kitchen, disappearing down the hallway.

Marta’s sharp eyes landed on Jason, still lingering nervously by the sink, hands idle and tense.

"You," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Follow me. Now."

Jason swallowed hard and nodded, a jolt of apprehension running through him. He quickly wiped his hands on his apron and trailed behind Marta as she strode out of the kitchen, her posture rigid and controlled, every step deliberate. Jason’s heart thudded in his chest, uncertain of what awaited him but fully aware it would not be pleasant.

The kitchen settled into a strange hush the moment Marta and Jason stepped out. Then, as if pulled by the same invisible string, the remaining Omegas clustered together near the counters, voices dipping into cautious whispers.

"She’s definitely going to punish him," one muttered, folding her arms as if bracing for the memory of past horrors.

"For a moment there," another said, rubbing the back of his neck, "I thought Marta had actually changed. She was acting almost like she was favoring Jason because of Rhea."

A soft scoff rippled through the group.

"Maybe she’s just being careful now," someone else said. "We can’t deny it. The Alpha’s attitude has changed toward that girl. Maybe Marta doesn’t want to punish Jason where she might be seen and get on Rhea’s bad side."

A few of them shifted uncomfortably.

"Do you actually believe what she said?" a girl asked quietly.

"What?" the others asked, turning toward her with curiosity.

"You know," she whispered, lowering her voice even more. "That she’s favored by the goddess."

A stunned silence followed. They exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering across their faces.

"Well," one finally said, "how else do you explain her sudden boldness? Her strength? Her skills and the way she fights?"

"Have you seen her fight?" another asked skeptically. "Or even seen these so called skills?"

"No," the first replied, "but how else would she knock out three men? And don’t forget, those men were one subalpha and two subbetas, and she’s an Omega. A wolfless Omega at that. If she’s not favored and gifted by the goddess, then explain to me how a weak Omega can take out three men way beyond her rank and strength. Go on, I’ll wait."

"And I heard they’re still unconscious," someone else added, their voice cracking like they were afraid even the rumor might summon trouble.

That sent a ripple of unease through the small circle.

One Omega swallowed hard, his voice shrinking into something barely audible. "You think it’s too late to make friends with her?"

A few sucked in a sharp breath. Someone smacked the back of his head lightly.

"Oh please," another said, though his voice trembled, "for some reason I wish I’d followed Jason that yesterday. Now even Marta is avoiding punishing him in public. You saw it. She’s being careful."

"Are you even sure she’s going to punish him?" someone asked.

"Why else would she call him out?" came a quick reply.

"Maybe to apologize?" another ventured, eyes darting nervously.

Every head snapped toward him. Eyes widened in collective shock.

An apology? From Marta?

It sounded impossible.

But then again...that’s not far fetched.

Without hesitation, Marta stepped into the room first, her stride clipped. Jason stalled at the threshold, nerves pricking up his spine. He hovered there like someone expecting a trap, but eventually edged in because refusing was never an option with her.

Marta’s room was neat in that controlled, almost military way she liked. The bed was sharply made, the curtains half drawn to keep the light dim, and her vanity was spotless, every brush aligned like soldiers on parade. Jason felt small in the quiet of it.

He slipped in fully, closing the door with hands that trembled just enough for him to tuck them behind his back. His thoughts spun too fast. What is she going to do to him this time?

"You," Marta called.

He turned. She stood near the center of the room, arms folded tight, eyes on him like twin drills. Jason flinched under the weight of her stare and immediately dropped his gaze to the floor, throat tightening.

"Tell me what you did that made the beta speak up for you."

His head jerked up in shock. "The beta... spoke up for me?" He frowned, confused. None of this made sense.

"Stop looking at me like that. Like you are innocent." Her voice snapped sharply in the air. "You are just like your mother. Manipulative and cheap."

Jason froze. The words landed exactly where she intended. This has always been the thing he could never outrun. He never even understood what his mother had done to provoke this level of hate, yet he was still the punching bag for it.

"You slept with the beta, right?"

"No," Jason said instantly. "Why would I do that? He...he’s not even my mate." A beat. And then the thought he will never say out loud: I wish he would be.

"Then," Marta’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "Did you say anything to the beta about me?"

"No," Jason insisted. "I did not even spend time with him. I was with Rhea and Tavian the whole time. Even when the beta saved me from Nikki I was not alone. Tavian was there too. So how could I possibly say anything to him or do anything with him..." His face went hot, the last words spilling out red and tense.

"Then why are you blushing, you slut?" Marta snapped. Her arms uncrossed and her hands clenched at her sides. She glared so hard she felt the old resentment pulse behind her eyes. He is just like his mother, shameless and cheap.

Jason wilted. "I am sorry, Aunt Marta. I did not do anything. I swear."

"The beta went out of his way to go against the Krolls for you," Marta said, voice rising. "Something he never did when he tried to protect that wench. He even barged into Nikki’s room to save you. And you are telling me you did nothing to push him?"

"Aunt Marta," Jason said quickly, desperate. "I did not do what you think. Yesterday I was with Rhea and Tavian. The whole time. I would never let anyone who is not my mate have me."

She stared at him, skeptical and sharp. Jason shifted under her gaze, visibly uncomfortable, shoulders tightening as if trying to make himself smaller.

But Marta’s doubt wavered. If Jason hadn’t used his body to twist the beta’s mind, then her earlier instinct might be right. Jason could be the beta’s mate. It was the only explanation for the beta risking the Krolls, for confronting her. The look in the beta’s eyes wasn’t the look of someone defending a pack member; he looked like a man protecting what was his.

Her gaze swept over Jason slowly. He wasn’t even eighteen yet. He wouldn’t feel the mate pull until then. He truly had no idea.

If it was true, she needed to tread carefully. The last thing she wanted was to be on the beta’s bad side. And at least the boy was doing one thing differently from his mother. He was not throwing himself at someone else’s mate. Not yet anyway, she thought.

Jason watched Marta silently, squinting a little, trying to read her mood. Her shift unsettled him more than her anger.

"Go," she said finally. "And do not forget to get lunch before the others finish it."

Jason blinked at her. "I can go?" She was not punishing him? What was happening?

"Go now before I change my mind and starve you instead."

"Yes. Thank you, Aunt Marta," he said, bowing slightly before making a quick escape. He shut the door carefully behind him and took off down the hall as fast as dignity allowed.

Marta exhaled hard once he was gone, shoulders slumping as she dropped onto the bed. She stared at the ceiling and muttered, "At least he is not whoring around like you."

Jason shot down the hallway so fast his slippers slapped the floor like they were trying to escape with him. His heart was still pounding from the confrontation, but freedom tasted way too sweet to slow down.

Then he stopped and froze mid-stride. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

He turned his head and stared back at Marta’s door, brows pinched. What is wrong with her?

She had never let him off this easy. Ever. Not even when the mistake wasn’t his. Something was definitely off.

But the confusion slipped away the moment another thought surfaced. The beta... spoke up for him.