Page 16 of Bliss & Her Idols (Pack Bonds Omegaverse #10)

“The Queen Bee.” Cricket looks up at his friend with laughing eyes.

I love seeing Cricket like this.

I didn’t doubt that these two had known each other for years through their letters. But seeing them together confirms it.

Cricket is more relaxed and confident to joke around than he is with anyone but me.

“I love a woman who can take charge.” Jin cocks his head. “Not that I’ve been with a woman before…or with an Omega…but a man can jerk off to fantasies. Right, my Queen ?”

“Your Queen?” I flush, pressing my legs together.

Jin nudges my foot with his. “We’re pack. So, Chirp and I are both your wolf pups, huh?”

I suck in a harsh breath at the image of Cricket and Jin cuddled as pups in my bed.

But then, my mind catches up with what Jin has said and the expectant way that he’s looking at me.

He thinks that our coming for him means that he’s part of our pack.

It’s what Cricket and I want.

We feel that Jin is our Beta.

Yet I never expected that Jin would be looking at me like I’m truly the Chief Alpha of the pack.

I shake with adrenaline.

I’m an Omega, and this Beta has simply accepted my authority. He’s treated me with more respect than anyone I’ve met outside my own pack.

He is special.

When I nod, Jin looks like I’ve just gifted him the world.

I square my shoulders.

That’s as good as a promise of a bond. I can’t let Jin down.

Yet we’re stuck in a closet. What the fuck can I do?

I tap on my hair clip. “Just so you know, you’re being recorded. My brothers didn’t send us in here without any backup. They’re outside monitoring this train wreck of a mission.”

Jin brightly leans forward like he’s doing an interview into my clip.

Then he says in his charming, caramel voice that has seduced every presenter, “Hey, brothers. Don’t worry, I’ll respect and care for your sis.

She’ll be fucking worshiped by me like she deserves.

She’ll be the boss. And you’ll love me. I’m a legend.

Just wait. I’ll win you over, trust me. Thanks for taking me into your pack.

Give me the rules, and I swear that I’ll try hard — so fucking hard — to break all of them. ”

Cricket laughs and then blushes.

Oh, Jin and my brothers are going to be trouble together.

And they are going to love each other.

Jin is excitedly looking around himself like somehow he’s going to discover a window to climb through or a secret escape hatch. “So, what’s the plan?”

“Not locking us in a closet.” My jaw clenches. “Our mission was that we came in here undercover to investigate and let you know that we’d got your message. You’re the one who has turned this into a kidnapping.”

Jin’s nose scrunches up. “Ah, fuck.”

“Fuck,” Cricket repeats after Jin like he’s being highly daring.

Then he looks proud of himself.

I don’t know whether Jin is a good or bad influence.

“ Fuck ,” Cricket says again louder.

Good influence.

Jin’s eyes spark.

“Good rebel Omega.” Jin tips Cricket’s head up by the chin. “May I kiss you?”

Cricket’s pupils dilate. “Please.”

Jin’s kiss is slow and lingering. He slides his thigh forward to bracket Cricket, rubbing his ankle up and down mine.

My hair is damp with sweat. I moan low in my throat.

The chains from Jin’s wrists tease down Cricket’s throat.

When Jin draws back, both men’s chests are rising and falling fast, and they’re melted against each other like they never want to let go.

Cricket begins to purr, despite the danger we’re all in.

“My Dragon,” Cricket licks up Jin’s long throat, “you kiss almost as well as Bee does.”

Jin arches his brow, as his glassy gaze slides to me.

I feel pinned in place.

“Yeah?” He rubs his thumb along Cricket’s wet lower lip. “I’ll have to get in more practice with you…and test that out with her later.”

I clear my throat. “Since we only have about five minutes before the door is broken down, how about we focus on getting out of this mess, rather than kissing?”

“Boring.” Jin runs his foot higher up my calf, and I struggle to concentrate. “Can’t you just…I don’t know…magic us out of here?”

He looks at me hopefully like he truly is a wolf pup.

I lean forward, pressing myself against Cricket’s back and caging both men. I rest my hands on the door either side of Jin, bracketing him.

Jin’s breathing becomes ragged. He licks his lips.

“Who do you think I am?” I demand. “David Copperfield?”

Jin reaches out with a flourish so fast beside by ear that I barely see him move.

I blink.

A purple rose appears in his hand out of thin air.

“Shit,” I gasp. “How did you…? That was incredible.”

Jin looks delighted at my praise. “Magic.”

My skin tingles, when he tucks the rose behind my ear. “For your next trick, make us disappear and reappear outside the amphitheater.”

Jin appears to be concentrating hard. His brow furrows.

Then he blows out a breath. “Sorry, it didn’t work. I’m only an amateur magician.”

“Well, I’m a professional journalist,” I reply. “And I’ve been investigating the Idols for over a year. Crick has been working as one of my sources, as well as being my best friend.”

“How could he not be?” Jin looks at Cricket with the type of adoration that I recognize. “He’s lovable.”

Cricket looks bewildered. “I’m nothing. Nobody. Tras—”

“Not another word, yeah?” Jin’s voice is suddenly icy.

“Those are things other people have taught you about yourself. I should know. They’re not who you are.

Trust me, you’re an amazing man. You helped me survive.

You’re the sunny joy of a forest, which I love, even though I’ve been banned from setting foot in one for five years.

Your letters have been my world. And now, here you are. ”

“But why take such a huge risk all of a sudden?” I narrow my eyes. “Are you seriously going to tell me that you saw Cricket and me and just made up this crazy plan?”

Jin looks sheepish. “I can be impulsive.”

“You think…?”

“But I had to do something tonight. Hey, this isn’t that crazy. I was considering writing help me , rather than my signature for fans. But I didn’t trust anyone but you. Still, I may have tried that in my desperation.”

Dread surges through me. “Why finally now after a decade?”

Jin pales, looking unsure what to say. “Have you heard in your investigations about the business drinks held by the Idols pack for powerful producers?”

I shake my head.

“Then you didn’t hear it from me. Well, it’s my turn tonight after the concert to host. I haven’t done it before.

My fame has protected me, but I’m coming up to the end of my ten year contract, and I have the horrifying feeling that the Head Alpha is trying to set me up with a bonded pack at the end of that. ”

My stomach rolls.

The billionaire owners of the Idol pack are trying to set Jin up with a forced bond…?

Fuck, no.

I’m not going to let that happen.

Cricket stops purring abruptly.

He glances over his shoulder at me like he’s asking for permission.

I nod.

Then he turns back to Jin. “Is this drinks party like a matching ball?”

Jin snorts with bitter laughter. “Wouldn’t that be lovely?

Nope, Idols don’t get matching events like we’re treasured elite Omegas.

We’re only Betas, toys for the Alphas who work in the music industry to play with.

The reason that I’m risking everything right now, is that I don’t think I can pull off hosting tonight.

The first Alpha to touch me or… I’ll bite their fucking cock off. ”

I freeze.

How have I not heard about these parties? How Idols are abused at them?

What else have the Idol pack managed to keep quiet?

“We’re going to rescue you, Dragon,” Cricket says, fiercely.

“But you don’t have magic,” Jin points out, quietly. “If I screw up at the party, it’s my friend who will pay. That’s how it works. They make best friends be punished for each other. It’s fucked up. I’d take a thousand beatings, rather than watch Zero suffer.”

“Who is Zero?”

“It’s Immortal’s real name. No one outside the Idols call him that."

I bet that Piper is cussing outside right now, hearing that Immortal is in trouble.

“We didn’t think that we’d need to get you out today,” I admit. “But I know that my brothers will be listening to this and working out ways to extract you. Probably including a high risk kidnapping after the concert, possibly on the way to the drinks party. Where is it being held?”

“Here.” Jin bites his lip. “Does that make things harder?”

My heart drops. “Let us worry about that.”

Jin looks away. “Don’t put yourself in more danger for me. My freedom with your pack is only a dream. Promise me that you won’t risk yourself.”

“Too late.”

“What if I beg?”

“Then I’d enjoy it.” I meet his gaze challengingly. “But I still won’t let those asshole Idol bosses of yours throw you to the wolves tonight.”

“I wouldn’t mind being thrown to these Wolves.

” He glances between Cricket and me, before his expression becomes more vulnerable.

“There’s a female Alpha attending the party who has always acted creepy around me in the recording studio.

I fucking hate her. I can’t let my first — anything — be with a bitch like her.

Especially not when I’ve met a Queen like you. ”

Cricket bounces on his toes. “I rate Bee’s kisses five out of five. Why don’t you try them? They’re mind-blowing.”

Jin’s eyes sparkle. “Yeah? I wish that all my music reviews were that good. How about it?”

Cricket shuffles around to lean against the wall, and I find myself dragged against Jin’s satiny chest.

My heart speeds up. Will this make him feel more secure?

It’s hard to breathe this close to him.

I want to kiss him more than anything.

I wet my lips. “Will it help get you through the concert? Because I’m about breaking apart with nerves right now over what will happen when that door opens, then how we’re going to—”