Page 37 of Bliss & Her Idols (Pack Bonds Omegaverse #10)
How would the Idols be treated, if they dared to act like that in practice?
Would they be starved? Made to repeat the move until they collapsed in exhaustion?
Beaten?
Finally, Jin looks away.
He points at Sawyer.
Sawyer winks at me, before he hesitates, as if composing himself.
Can he dance?
Then Sawyer jerks and jolts like he’s the one who is sitting on an electric knot.
Jin’s mouth falls open.
I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing.
Sawyer is just as awesome as Leah is. They’re well matched.
The Alpha is sacrificing himself publicly, in the same way that Leah did.
I never thought that I’d come on this contest and find people who I hope will become my friends.
How many Alphas, especially Governors, would be prepared to make fools of themselves like this?
Because no matter what I do, it can’t be as bad as his dance, right?
Sawyer finishes, panting. “My talent is unforgettable, hmm?”
Jin takes several attempts, before he manages. “Uh-huh.”
I give Sawyer the thumbs up, and he grins.
Jin’s long-lashed eyes turn to me. “Your turn. It’s just moving your arm and swaying your hips.”
So speaks a dancer.
My mouth is dry.
My knees feel like buckling. I battle to lock them, before my dance is little more than me falling on my ass.
I try to imagine the beat of Jin’s song “Set Free” in my head. I hum it as I wildly point my arm around.
Where’s it meant to go again?
Shit, something about my chest…?
I thrust out my boobs because that can’t hurt, right?
Easter snickers.
I sway my hips side to side, putting as much effort into it as I can. I toss my hair and smile.
Startled, Jin looks like he’s about to step forward and grab me.
Am I doing it wrong?
“Are you having a seizure?” Easter laughs. “Someone stop the idiot, before she breaks something.”
I redden, stumbling onto my knees.
I’m puffing and out of breath.
I definitely don’t look sexy in the way that Jin does when he dances.
Embarrassed, I look up to meet his gaze.
What do I expect?
Pity?
Amusement?
Contempt?
Instead, I’m floored by the love in Jin’s soft expression. It pulls hard on my heart.
“Good attempt.” Jin’s expression hardens, however, when he turns to Easter. All the life and joy is leeched out of him. “You.”
The you is icy.
Easter narrows her eyes, strolling to stand as close to Jin as she can without touching him.
“And you are going to start treating me as a precious Omega. I’m winning this task.
Then tonight on our date, you will behave.
” Jin looks sick. “Because once I win this entire game, you’ll be bonded to my pack.
I’ll remember every little detail of your behavior now. Then I’ll take my revenge for it.”
Without missing a beat, she repeats the dance move.
Perfectly.
My heart sinks.
I claw my nails into my knees.
Easter gives a satisfied smile. She doesn’t move back from Jin but waits in front of him expectantly.
What can he do?
Even I have to admit that she’s done the best dance. The rest of us were a disaster.
Serenity gives a bright smile for the cameras. “Now, it’s time for the presentation of the roses.”
Zoe crosses from the shadows at the side of the lodge to the terrace. She’s wearing jeans and a plain white t-shirt. She’s also carrying two roses.
This must be killing Torin and Cricket, who are standing behind me with their eyes closed.
I can smell the combined sour and burned scent of distressed Omegas and Alphas from the pack members who have been literally left in the dark.
It’s worse for those who can’t support their pack.
Zoe passes the living rose to Jin first with a significant glance at Easter.
Jin grits his teeth and passes the rose to Easter. “Congratulations on winning the second task.”
“Two for two,” Easter crows, before arching her brow at me. “Was there ever a question that elite would beat Reject?”
My hackles rise.
She’s talking to the cameras as well.
Fuck. Her.
This is about more than my own love. My own pack.
It’s even about more than my mission to save the Idols.
It’s about showing millions of people around the world that Rejects and misfit Alphas can compete and be matched alongside elites.
That we’re not lesser or disposal.
That we’re just as worthy.
Jin’s eyes are dark with cold rage. He takes a step forward, as if he’s about to snatch back the rose and hand it to me instead.
Zoe lays her hand on Jin’s injured shoulder, however, and squeezes.
Jin hisses in pain.
“Well done,” I say quickly to stop Jin being hurt further. “But this contest isn’t over yet.”
Zoe lets go of Jin, passing him the withered rose.
My heart speeds up.
I have no idea who was the worst between the remaining three of us. The two Alphas were comically terrible in their own ways.
But then, it seems so was I, no matter how hard I tried.
“I appreciate that you all attempted something that was new to you,” Jin says. I can tell that he’s gone off script by Serenity’s startled expression. Fuck you, the puppet has a voice . “Two of you, however, really put your heart and soul into it, yeah? So, you’re the ones who deserve to stay.”
Jin walks up to Madan and passes the withered rose to him. “Please leave Pack Bonds island.”
“If you’re saving me from more experiences like that one,” Madan smoothes his hair, “then you’ve just done me a favor.”
My shoulders slump.
I kneel forward, pressing my palms to the cool ground.
I could kiss the ground that I’m still here.
But then, I look up and catch the possessive way that Easter has laid her hand on Jin’s arm.
There’s something off about Easter.
My journalistic alarms are blaring.
She’s a walking red flag.
Why is Easter in this contest?
She can play instruments and dance like a professional. She appears thoroughly prepared.
How long has she been planning this?
Yet if she wants a Beta Idol so much, why does she treat Jin like he’s worthless?
Or is she a narcissist who truly only wants to show America that she’s the best? Or that elites are?
Is that her agenda?
Whatever her issues are, Easter and her Alpha will be taking my Beta away for another date.
I won’t be able to eat or sleep for another day and night with worry because there’s one thing that I sense for certain.
Jin isn’t safe.