Reborn To Defy The Alpha-Chapter 75: Where’s Seraphine

Rhea drew a deep breath that barely steadied her nerves. She opened the bathroom door and stepped out. Tavian sat on the edge of the bed, back straight, eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made it feel like he was trying to read every thought she’d ever had. Jason leaned against the corner chair, his face still faintly pink, fingers locked tight in his lap.

She stepped farther into the room. Her blouse was a soft cream that wrapped neatly around her neck, the fabric skimming her collarbones like a whisper. Her black jeans hugged her leg.

Her gaze moved over them, steady and calm even though her stomach was doing anxious somersaults. She wanted answers. She wanted the truth. But she also knew pushing too hard right now could make them shut down further.

"So," she said, keeping her voice low and even. "Who is ready for dinner."

Tavian’s eyes dropped to her clothes for a moment as though he was evaluating every detail. "You are not dressing to kill?" he asked, brow arched with a touch of teasing judgment.

Rhea crossed her arms. "I can go back and change if you prefer me in something sexy."

Tavian shot to his feet so fast the mattress bounced. "No. Absolutely not. You look perfectly fine, and we do not need to be late for dinner."

"It’s not even that late. I can still change." She smirked, clearly enjoying herself.

Tavian let out a huff. "Please, don’t stress yourself changing clothes again, okay? Let’s just go."

Rhea shrugged, casual and unbothered. "It’s not stressful at all."

"Let’s just go," Tavian repeated, and the exasperation in his voice finally cracked the mood. Jason let out a quiet chuckle, and Rhea laughed too, the tension in her chest easing just a little.

"Come on," she said between chuckles, gesturing toward the door. "Let us go."

Tavian moved first, stepping around her with quick, controlled strides as he reached for the door. Jason pushed himself up from the chair and followed, rolling his shoulders in a slow, relieving stretch as if shaking off the tension from earlier.

Rhea watched the two of them for a moment, the smile she had worn slipping away. Her expression tightened in a quiet, worried focus as her eyes tracked them. Jason must have felt her hesitation, because he turned back to her. "Are you coming?"

She forced a small smile, even as the knot of worry inside her pulled tighter. "Yes. I am right behind you."

They stepped out into the hallway, Rhea walking between them, her pace unhurried. "So, how was the day? How did it go for you two?"

Jason lit up instantly. His entire face brightened the way a puppy perks up at the sound of its name. "It was fine. Really fine. I did my shift in the kitchen, then I went to help Tavian in the nursery."

Rhea eyed him with amusement. "Someone seems excited."

Jason’s cheeks flushed a soft pink. "No I am not."

"Do you really enjoy washing dishes that much?" she teased.

Jason opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again. "No. Yes. I mean it is not. Never mind."

Tavian gave Jason a look that was all quiet mockery. "It is not the dishes. Something good must have happened to him. He is just refusing to share."

"Nothing happened, alright?" Jason insisted, his voice cracking slightly.

"Yeah. Like you believe that yourself." Tavian snorted.

Jason straightened with wounded pride. "I am telling the truth."

Tavian stared at him with pure skepticism. Rhea caught the look and laughed softly.

"Okay. If he says nothing happened, then nothing happened. Right, Jason?"

Jason stuttered, "Yes. Yes, nothing."

"Good. Keep your secrets then," Rhea said with a playful shrug.

She turned to Tavian. "What about you? How was your day?"

Tavian adjusted his pace, hands sliding casually into his pockets. "Nothing much. I did my shift in the nursery, took care of the pups. Thanks to Jason who helped in the morning and still came back after his shift to help me close. It was actually fun."

Rhea pouted dramatically. "You two are having fun while I spent the entire day bored out of my mind. I only ate and slept. I wish there was a book somewhere to keep me company."

Tavian and Jason exchanged a look, somewhere between amused and sympathetic. Jason mumbled under his breath, "There is nothing fun about washing dishes. I would like to eat and sleep too."

Tavian and Rhea burst into laughter at the same time. Jason frowned, flustered and adorable, which only made them laugh harder.

Rhea lifted her shoulders in a small sigh. "Well, tomorrow I will have something to do at least."

Both men stopped mid stride, staring at her with wide eyes.

"You have been assigned a duty?" Tavian asked.

Rhea nodded.

"Please do not tell me it is serving Nikki," he said, slowing down with a frown.

Jason shot Rhea a worried glance as if the idea alone pained him.

"Never," Rhea replied.

They both exhaled at the same time, the relief almost comical. Rhea watched them, warmth stirring in her chest. They really did care about her, even if they claimed they were only with her out of selfishness.

"So," Tavian asked, "what exactly were you assigned to do?"

Rhea smirked. "It is a surprise."

They turned the corner and Rhea nearly collided with someone. Nikki stumbled a step, then shoved her roughly.

"Are you blind?" Nikki snapped before she even looked up.

Rhea raised her brow, unimpressed. But Nikki’s expression shifted fast as she realized who she had bumped into. Rhea saw the brief flash of surprise before it twisted into annoyance.

Behind Nikki stood Lena and Lyra, both watching, both clearly ready for trouble. For once, the older woman who usually hovered around them was nowhere in sight. That alone made Rhea blink. Huh. That was new.

Another detail caught Rhea’s attention. Tavian and Jason had instantly moved behind her. Not completely hiding, but close enough that she could feel their presence at her back. Nervous. Scared. As if Nikki were a ticking bomb, and they were trying to stay away from and not get caught in the blast.

Rhea’s smile sharpened. She looked Nikki squarely in the eye and said, "No, I am not blind. But I cannot say the same about you."

Nikki’s eyes narrowed, irritation flickering like a flame. Lena and Lyra exchanged cautious glances, bracing themselves in case they would need to intervene.

Nikki’s lips pressed into a thin line, and she stepped forward, attempting to assert dominance. Rhea didn’t flinch. Her posture was perfect, her gaze unyielding. She was slightly taller than Nikki, and the angle made it look as if Nikki was being looked down upon. That subtle height advantage made Nikki’s stomach churn in a way she wasn’t pleasant.

"What did you just say?" Nikki demanded, her voice tight.

"You heard me, pinky," Rhea repeated, tilting her head, amusement glinting in her eyes. "I am not blind, and you should really watch where you are going."

Nikki’s hand twitched for a split second, and Rhea caught it. A small, wicked thought flitted through her mind, what if Nikki actually tried to slap her? She wanted nothing more than to teach Nikki a lesson. She clearly did something to Jason and Tavian, and from the way they were hiding behind her, Rhea could sense it wasn’t something good.

Tavian tugged gently at her arm, his low voice urging, "We should just go."

Nikki’s gaze flickered with venom. "Just because the Alpha has enabled you for a few days, you think you can talk to me anyhow and get away with it?"

Rhea’s grin didn’t falter. "Yes, if you think so. Not that I need the Alpha’s permission to address you the way I wish."

"Please, Rhea, let’s just go, okay?" Tavian pleaded again.

"Yes, Rhea, let’s go," Jason added, his voice tense.

Rhea glanced at both of them, then back at Nikki. Calmly, she said, "You should move out of the way if you’re not going to act."

Nikki bristled, but before she could respond, Rhea pushed past her firmly. "Get out of my way," she said.

Tavian and Jason followed swiftly, Jason sneaking a glance back at Nikki, only to immediately turn away at the searing glare she shot him.

Nikki’s eyes followed their retreating backs. She turned sharply to Lena and Lyra. "How’s it going?" she demanded.

"They’ve agreed," Lena said cautiously, "but they insist you need to confirm it yourself."

Nikki’s head snapped toward her. "And why would I need to confirm it? You two are enough to prove I was the one who wanted this."

"They insisted," Lyra added, nervously. "They want you to confirm it yourself." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Fine," Nikki snapped, rolling her eyes. "Let’s meet them after dinner."

The three continued walking. After a few steps, Nikki paused, making Lena and Lyra stop as well. "Where the hell is Seraphine?"