Page 36 of Bliss & Her Idols (Pack Bonds Omegaverse #10)

Montserrat watches without even trying to catch Easter.

Easter falls into the pool with a loud splash.

This will become a viral moment for the show.

I hope that people watch it on repeat.

Everybody laughs and claps. Even the cameramen snicker.

I can’t hold back my own laugh. “Whoops, my bad.”

Cricket and Torin give vicious grins.

Easter emerges from the pool, gasping and spluttering. Her hair is plastered over her face. Her makeup has run, making her look like a clown.

Shame she didn’t think to make her mascara waterproof.

Easter slaps the water in fury. It sprays up. She looks more ridiculous.

“You did that on purpose,” Easter shrieks.

I try out my innocent look, letting my bottom lip wobble.

Torin immediately stands, wrapping his arms around me. He pulls me against his chest.

We both know that we’re acting.

“Don’t upset my poor little darling,” Torin lectures Easter. “You should take accountability for your own clumsiness. After all, my Omega has said sorry. Aren’t you a good Omega?”

Easter’s mouth falls open like a fish.

Trapped by her own toxic, prejudiced views.

She ignores Torin, swimming to the edge of the pool instead.

“Help me out,” Easter orders Montserrat.

Montserrat looks down at her with a flat look.

Then Montserrat tilts her head. “Nope, I don’t think that I’m Alpha enough to manage that.”

With a furious hiss, Easter drags herself out of the pool.

Satisfyingly, her hair is hanging in wet rat’s tails over her face. Water drips down her chest, as she scrambles to her feet.

Before she can dry off, Serenity strolls down the steps of the terrace.

Today, the presenter is dressed in a blue bikini, which is looped with silver chains. She’s wearing spiky diamond stilettos. Her black hair is coiled on her head like a serpent.

The second task is about to begin.

Adrenaline spikes through me.

Jin is walking stiffly behind Serenity.

I struggle to peer around Serenity to catch the first glimpse of Jin.

Cricket is pushing himself onto his tiptoes, trying to do the same thing.

Jin is only dressed in black shorts, which are the same as the male contestants. His feet are bare.

Somehow, he still manages to look like he’s on a pool party model shoot.

His white hair is tied back at his neck with a dragon clip, leaving his neck exposed.

In fact, like this he’s more vulnerable, as if the elaborate costumes at least give him a layer of protection. Yet they’ve been deliberately stripped away from him.

He’s being paraded in front of all of us now as the prize.

But also, in front of the world.

I hate how dead Jin’s gaze is again. He’s not looking at anyone but only into the air. He’s disassociating from the entire experience.

“Welcome contestants to the second day on the island!” Serenity pauses on the final step, making the most of her entrance again. Fucking dramatic. “Welcome also to the second task. Would you like to learn what it is? How you can win the bond with our rock star Idol here?”

When she gestures at Jin, he takes his cue and walks forward to stand at the bottom of the steps like a puppet.

The other Alphas and Omegas also take their cue to call out enthusiastic yeses.

Serenity gives a smarmy smile. “Then prepare to experience your first dance class. Ice Dragon is going to lead you in a session. You’ll have a taste of being new recruits in the Idol camp.

The contestant who performs best will win a date with him again tonight.

And the one who performs worst, will once again, immediately leave the island. ”

I freeze. “Tell me that you were exaggerating about not being able to dance…?”

Torin rests his chin on my head. “There’s a reason that Jin and I made a pact never to talk about my failed lessons.”

We’re fucked.

“Crick,” I say, trying to remain hopeful, “you could be incredible at this. You don’t know.”

Cricket wraps his arms around himself. “Why couldn’t it have been the fastest at folding laundry? I’d have slayed at best floor scrubber. Why wasn’t that an option?”

“Remind me to take a visit to our Omega’s ex-pack and kick their asses, as soon as we’re out of here,” Torin mutters.

I nod.

“Form a circle around the pool,” Serenity orders. “I will be choosing who takes part in this task. Close your eyes. If you feel a touch on your shoulder, then you’ll be dancing to win your Beta.”

I cast an anxious look at Cricket, before I slip to stand between my two men on the edge of the pool.

I watch the other packs, who are taking up their own places.

Most look worryingly relaxed, smiling, and confident.

My pulse is roaring.

Cricket is taking shallow breaths the closer that he edges to the pool.

I snatch his hand, squeezing two times. “Hold onto me. Smell my scent. Stay in the present with me. You’re no longer with your knothead parents, okay?”

“Okay.” Cricket gives a determined nod, before he bravely closes his eyes.

Torin is studying me. “You’re good with him.”

“I’ve had experience,” I reply, simply. “And I love him.”

“Do you love me?” Torin asks with an unreadable expression.

Before I can answer, Serenity clacks toward the pool.

Serenity’s sharp voice calls out, “Silence. Everyone close their eyes. If you open them before I tell you, then you will be disqualified.”

Hurriedly, we both fall silent and close our eyes.

In the darkness, my own breathing sounds too loud.

I take deep breaths to smell my Alpha’s scent, mingled with Cricket’s honeycomb, cherry scent. It’s stronger, when my sight is taken from me.

I tense, when I hear Serenity’s footfalls behind me. She appears to hesitate but then, she continues on.

Fuck, she’s making a real show of this.

My breathing speeds up.

Come on, pick somebody .

I don’t even know who I want her to choose this time.

I can hear Torin’s harsh breathing.

He’s been trying not to show it but he’s more scared of being picked than I am.

Footfalls behind me again.

Serenity is walking slowly, ominous.

Click, clack.

Click, clack.

Then Serenity slows down.

A touch on my shoulder.

I can’t help hissing out.

I’ve been selected.

My eyes burn behind my closed eyelids like I may burst into tears.

When I tremble, I can tell that Cricket can sense what has happened, because he squeezes my hand twice.

What if I screw this up?

“The contestants whose shoulders were touched will now open their eyes and move to the bottom of the terrace. Everybody else remain where you are,” Serenity commands.

Reluctantly, I let go of Cricket’s hand.

I feel desperately alone, as I open my eyes.

The sun dazzles me, suddenly over bright.

I take a moment, before I step back from the pool. Then I glance around me.

Sawyer is strolling toward the terrace casually like this is a good joke. Madan is following him with a nervous shuffle.

I almost stumble, however, when I see Easter toss her damp hair back from her face with a delighted grin, as she bounds toward Jin.

Not her again.

What’s the bet that an elite like Easter has had dance classes since she was a toddler?

I drag my feet, until I’m standing in a line in front of Jin.

His head is ducked.

“You’re going to be a great teacher,” I try just to see Jin’s head snap up, and his eyes sparkle with life again. “Don’t take me looking like an Omega who has sat on an electric knot as a judgment on your skills.”

Behind me, I hear a mix of shocked gasps, along with Torin and Cricket laughing.

“I’m looking forward to seeing that.” Jin is outright grinning now, which is what I was going for.

I’m annoyed, however, when Zoe rounds the side of the hotel, keeping to the shadows. She glares at Jin.

Instantly, Jin’s grin fades.

He lifts his chin, standing in the perfect dancer poise. “For your task today, you’re going to follow my dance routine. I will show you the steps.”

Madan crosses his arms. “What will they think of next? Since when do Alphas follow Betas.”

Sawyer unsubtly elbows Madan, pretending to stretch and warm up.

“I’ll show you how to do it once, then you join in.” Jin fixes his gaze on mine like I’m an anchor and he’s willing me to be able to follow his dance instructions. I concentrate as hard as I can. “It’s a simple move called scoop arm into hip sway .”

“Wait a minute now,” Madan splutters, “this is undignified. Aren’t we at least ballroom dancing? I’m excellent at that. No bonded Beta of mine would be swaying their hips.”

“I really hope mine will.” Sawyer grins.

“It’s more of a combination than a move. It goes well with my song “Set Free.”” When Jin stretches his arms above his head, he winces.

His shoulder must still be hurting him.

He shouldn’t be doing this.

I tap my own shoulder in question to check if Jin wants me to stop this.

Jin gives a small shake of his head, however, side eying Zoe. She is still watching him closely.

“Scoop your arm across your chest, before bringing it above your head. Then finally point it in front of your chest.” Jin demonstrates making the move look fluid, sassy, and easy.

He’s like water transformed into dance. “Once your arm is pointing in front of you, sway your hips from side to side. You want to give it attitude. Imagine that you’re the star. ”

Madan looks horrified. “You have to be kidding me.”

I’m sweating. My hands are clammy. My skin prickles.

All the cameras are pointing at us.

How many people are about to watch my disastrous attempt?

I don’t go to clubs. Rejects don’t get invited to prom.

The times that I’ve tried to dance, I’ve embarrassed myself enough.

Serenity is standing to the side, smirking like she knows how humiliating this will be for the Alphas, as well as the Reject Omega.

Easter, on the other hand, is rocking on her heels with excitement.

I take a deep breath.

I’ll do my best because it’s for Jin.

Jin claps his hands. “You first.”

Madan growls with disgust at the whole thing, before pointing at the sky more like a warrior Alpha than a dancer.

He doesn’t even attempt to sway his hips.

Then he outstares Jin, daring Jin to criticize him.