Page 35 of Bliss & Her Idols (Pack Bonds Omegaverse #10)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Lodge Pool, Pack Bonds Island

E xhausted, I yawn, stretched out on the lounger beside the dragon shaped pool at the back of the lodge.

After two days with no sleep, I feel heavy with fatigue. It’s harder for me to think. Anxiety swirls through me.

I couldn’t eat a single bite of breakfast this morning, even when both Torin and Cricket took turns attempting to handfeed me.

How could I sleep, when I knew that Jin was on a date with Easter and that tech billionaire last night?

It was only fake for the TV contest, but I desperately need Jin to be back in my arms.

Torin tried to take my mind off Jin’s date. He was obviously working to distract himself as well from the fear that the man he loved was being broken .

Last night, while I was riding Torin, as the Alpha lay below me, thrusting up with a passionate tenderness that’s the closest thing to making love that I’ve experienced with an Alpha, he glanced over my shoulder to watch our naked bodies in the mirror above the bed.

Then curious, he stared at something intently, before sweeping my hair out of the way. He caressed his thumb over the wolf tattoo on the back of my neck.

“Beautiful.” Torin kissed me. “Does this tattoo mean something special?”

“Pack.” I kissed Torin back, shivering at his touch. “Everything.”

“Would you…?” Torin broke off, conflicted. “Could you become an Idol and not a Wolf?”

I ran my fingers through his hair.

He means it.

“ I’ll never stop being a Wolf but I could become something else as well. But why?” I pressed. “Once we save Jin, none of us are forced into bonding.”

I needed Torin to know that.

I had the sense that none of my men grew up with much chance to make their own decisions. It didn’t matter what dynamic they were.

I was the Omega, but the one piece of morality that I had burned deep into my core was that I wouldn’t have anyone forced into a bond, even by obligation.

Next to me, Cricket whined, staring at both of us with wounded eyes.

Yet each of us had to make our own decision.

Torin’s expression softened.

He stilled, holding me in place by the hip.

“So, it appears that I am as shit as my family say I am at expressing my emotions, unless I’m writing them down onto paper into songs.

” He glanced at Cricket as well. “Jin and I have promised to bond. We can’t live without each other.

Plus, you’re both my Omegas. I’m possessive; I’m never letting you go.

I’ve dreamed about you every night since I met you.

Now, I want to wake up every morning to all three of you in my bed.

Make you coffee. Build you nests. Learn how to live in a pack and never be alone again. Does that clear it up?”

“Clear.” Then I moaned, as Torin thrust up into me, at the same time as Cricket sucked a love bite against my tattoo.

Bliss.

This morning, tiny black bikinis and shorts were delivered by staff along with the instruction to wear them for the second task.

Confused, we dressed in them.

Our feet were bare.

When we were led out with the other contestants from our corridor to this pool, I was relieved at least to see that everyone was wearing the same as my pack were.

I dread how we’re going to be made to perform for the next task.

Will our dancing involve swimming somehow? I may have a chance at that.

Torin looks confident as well.

At least my men’s asses look gorgeous in the tight shorts. I also won’t grow tired of seeing Torin’s gorgeous nipple piercings glisten in the sun.

Piper will instantly bond with Torin over his piercings.

Piper will appreciate the hidden side to Torin, which feels like an attempt to break free from the restraints of his elite pack, or else, claim back autonomy of his own body, after he was sent to Ireland.

Does his Head Alpha even know about them?

Well, she does now.

Fuck the Idol’s brand.

I wave to Leah and Sawyer, who are standing on the opposite side of the pool with their arms around each other’s waists.

They appear happy and relaxed. They raise their drinks in greeting.

It’s great to have some allies in this.

How many Omegas and Alphas are there like Leah and Sawyer all around America? Are they secret resistance members or simply people who are being moved to change?

Our liberal side is winning.

“I can’t swim.” Cricket eyes the pool with the same fright as he did the instruments yesterday.

Sometimes, I forget just how isolated Cricket was living in the forest with his pack. The world must be terrifying, which Cricket has thrown himself into for Jin’s sake.

Yet Cricket is taking on these extreme experiences for the sake of our entire pack.

I admire how he’s facing not only his fears but such change.

After this mission, I’m going to spend the rest of my life showing my Omega the joy of the world, as well as making happy memories with him.

Cricket lies next to me, already bronzing under the bright sunshine. His freckles stand out even more prettily across his nose and cheeks.

I run my hands down his trembling arms.

I squint against the unrelenting sun. There’s no shade out here on the terrace.

The sharp, fresh scent of the pine forests settles around me like a mist.

Then suddenly, I remember how I’d rescued Cricket: His dad dunking him face first into the freezing water, while he thrashed desperately.

He could have drowned.

Shit, no wonder Cricket is scared of going into the water.

“Hey,” I cup Cricket’s cheek, “we can find a way to get you out of this task. You don’t need to do this.”

Torin glances between us, surprised.

Torin stands, resting on the lounger with one arm, deliberately blocking us from the view of most of the other Alphas and Omegas who are milling around and drinking fruity cocktails.

Torin is doing his best to reduce our anxiety and make sure that we can only smell his soothing pheromones. But he’s doing it in a casual way.

He raises a questioning eyebrow. “What do you need, mo stoirin?”

Cricket wrestles with whether to say anything, glancing at the cameramen who are ringing the area.

At the moment, they appear more interested in the pink haired Omega, who is storming away from the oil baron.

In his sixties and in good shape with steel gray hair and eyes, the Alpha looks like he wishes he could simply enjoy his cocktail in peace.

“Madan,” the Omega weeps, “you have no idea how to treasure an elite Omega of my worth.”

Madan simply appears bemused.

While the focus isn’t on us, Cricket hurriedly glances up at Torin.

“My parents would punish me with water,” Cricket whispers. “They had a barrel outside. The water was freezing. If I had impure thoughts or broke the rule, you know, that Omegas mustn’t…”

He blushes.

Torin’s knuckles are white around the lounger like he may snap it, but he’s careful to keep his voice level. “Sorry, you’ll have to narrow that down. I don’t remember giving my Omegas any rules.”

I blink.

Huh, that’s true.

“ Abouttouchingthemselves ,” Cricket gets out as quickly as he can. “They washed me free of my filth.”

Torin takes a deep breath to calm himself down, before he replies.

I’m struggling with the same rage.

Torin’s eyes have become chips of ice. “Let me sit with you both. I need to know that you’re warm and safe or I may have to leave and tear out a few people’s throats.”

I scoot to the side, allowing Torin to sit beside Cricket and wrap his arms around him. He rubs Cricket’s arms vigorously like the sun isn’t enough to heat him up.

Then Torin, the devil on Cricket’s shoulder, murmurs seductively, “Would you like me to bathe with you in a hot bath, while showing you just how filthy we can both be together? I love my Omegas to be as impure as I am. Do you have dirty thoughts about me? I hope so, else I’m not working hard enough.

Your body belongs to you . You touch it as much as you like.

And by the way…? This is me giving you consent to touch me whenever you want. ”

I’m delighted when Cricket flushes but also laughs.

Cricket looks at Torin underneath his lashes. “What if I’m having impure thoughts about touching you right now ?”

Torin smirks. “An exhibitionist. Perfect. Because so am I.” He sprawls back in invitation. “Go for it. Both of you. I’m all yours, little darlings.”

Cricket meets my gaze with a desperate, helpless look.

Bluff called.

At least Cricket is no longer either ashamed or frightened of the water.

I’ll have to remember that Torin’s sexy villain vibes are powerful.

“Shameless,” Easter sneers. “Are those seriously trashy piercings?” I startle, as her shadow falls over me. Easter’s long black hair hangs loose to her shoulders. She’s scanning Torin, however, who admittedly does look like sin. She licks her lips. “ Slut. ”

Torin’s expression shutters.

He sits up, crossing his ankles like he’s at a business meeting.

The cameras are definitely focused on us now.

I hold myself back, and Cricket, with difficulty.

“ Bitch ,” Torin replies coolly.

He makes it sound as if they’re simply exchanging morning greetings.

Easter draws in a shocked breath.

Montserrat, who has been hovering at Easter’s side, laughs. “I like you, Mr. Idol. You have a big knot. Seriously wish that you had become my Second Alpha. You’re hot. And then I wouldn’t be alone with this—”

“And what about that Beta?” Easter snaps, as her ears glow red with humiliation.

“He barely spoke to us on our date. We may as well have taken a blowup doll out to dinner. You’re the Alpha.

Why didn’t you command him? Discipline him?

Aren’t you Alpha enough to deal with one pathetic Beta?

He didn’t even kiss us at the end of the night. Is he frigid?”

Fury surges through me.

How dare she?

How fucking dare she use a word like frigid about anyone?

I stand up. “I’m getting a drink.”

I brush past Easter, deliberately tripping her in a trick that Chase taught me, which makes it look accidental.

Easter shrieks as she falls backward, flailing her arms.