Page 38 of Bliss & Her Idols (Pack Bonds Omegaverse #10)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Pack Bonds Island

I clench my hands, pacing the luxurious corridor that runs through the main body of the lodge.

The light from the crystal chandelier is a bright contrast to the darkness of the evening shadows outside the arched windows.

Anxiety is fogging my mind. My limbs are heavy with exhaustion. My stomach claws with hunger.

How long have I gone without sleep?

I’m struggling to tell the difference between reality and the disturbing images, which may be fleeting dreams, from the couple of seconds when I fall asleep.

I can’t control it.

Sleep deprivation sucks.

With his medical condition, Cricket needs his sleep. I made sure to run him a hot bath and hide just how much I was breaking inside, as we kissed and nuzzled, while he bathed.

Then Torin dried Cricket with a fluffy towel, before dressing him in a pair of the PB monogrammed violet pajamas, which the show’s staff had left for us to wear.

I built up our bed with pillows and blankets into a nest. I wished that we had some of Jin’s clothes to add to it. I needed his scent desperately.

I envy how quickly Cricket falls asleep.

Except as I stroked Cricket’s cheek, tucking the blanket more firmly around him, I wondered whether he only slept like this because he was more exhausted than he’d show the rest of us.

How much does his Omegaosis drain him? Hurt him?

How much is Cricket hiding? Does he think that he’s protecting us from the truth?

I tucked Cricket’s damp hair away from his face, tracing over his jaw.

He was such a beautiful man inside and out. Yet he didn’t know it.

All he could feel was the weight of the Rej bracelet around his wrist.

I gritted my teeth.

Torin was watching us both with a searching look like he was trying to figure something out.

Then he marched to me, agitated.

“You know that neither of us will be able to sleep, while our Beta is with that psycho Omega, Easter,” he whispered. “How about we go for an explore of the lodge? Just an innocent walk. It’s not like we’ll be searching for Jin’s date to spy on it or anything.”

That was precisely what we’d be doing.

“We’re not meant to leave our rooms,” I replied.

“Is that a rule?” Torin tilted his head. “I don’t remember being told that I couldn’t go out for air if I needed it.”

Now, I’m pacing this corridor as a lookout, while Torin searches deeper into the main lodge.

I’ve pulled on a simple leather skirt with plain white top. I didn’t bother to drag panties or shoes on.

My hair hangs loose and tangled over my face because I keep running my hands nervously through it.

“Come on, Tor,” I mutter.

My stomach is tied in knots.

I cross my arms over my chest, hugging myself.

My men, the same as me, are independent. They don’t take help easily because they’ve been alone and fighting their own battles.

Surviving.

But we’re a pack now. I’ve been figuring out how to accept that myself.

One thing I know is that means none of us are going to face danger without the rest of us standing at their shoulder.

And that includes on bad dates.

I can’t stop thinking about the way that Easter tried to intimidate Jin by standing as close to him as she could.

…Then tonight on our date, you will behave. Because once I win this entire game, you’ll be bonded to my pack. I’ll remember every little detail of your behavior. Then I’ll take my revenge for it…

There’s more going on with Easter than a slighted Omega who has read too many bully romances and feels like it’s her right to make her Beta pay for not falling at her feet.

My journalistic senses are tingling.

I pull out my phone from the pocket of my top. Then I turn it on and call Lionzio.

“Hey,” a sleepy voice says, “are you all right, Bliss?”

I wince.

Maybe it’s later than I thought it was.

“Sorry, Lion, did I wake you?”

“It’s fine.” Lionzio instantly becomes more business-like.

“I’m only tired because I was up early helping Pip out in the coffee shop.

Then I’ve been working on accounts all day.

It’s amazing to hear from you. We’ve been watching you online.

The wolf clips look good on you. Your dancing today was… unique.”

“You mean that you all laughed your asses off over it, and Pip has spent the day mimicking me.”

Lionzio hesitates, before he replies, “Uncanny. It’s like you actually know us.”

I huff, before lowering my voice, “I’m calling because I need you to investigate one of the contestants.”

“It’s Easter, isn’t it?” Lionzio immediately replies, his tone becoming steely.

“Huh, and now it’s like you know me.”

“What she said to Jin was sick. In my mafia family, I was taught a lot of bad shit about Betas and their worth. My best friend was one, and I thought that I was fair and kind to him. I took whippings to protect him. Dad punished me for being soft on him . But I still never treated him like he deserved to be treated, as if he was more than a servant. I should have realized that standing up for him wasn’t enough, if I couldn’t love and respect him as a real friend.

I’ve been able to see that clearly, since I was rescued by your brother and Harley from my ex-pack.

I’m trying to become a different man. A better one who may at some point be worthy of my own pack. ”

My eyes prick with tears.

“You are,” I say, fervently. “You’re a good Alpha. You’re already worthy of your own bonded pack.”

A long silence.

“I’ll hack Easter’s accounts.” Lionzio deliberately ignores my confidence in him about pack bonds.

He was forbidden to have them by his Dad, who set out to isolate and break him.

Now that I know how incredible it feels to find people who I crave to be my bond and won’t steal my freedom, I’m desperate to help both Piper and Lionzio to find the same happiness.

“I’ll investigate her social media and see what I can find that lies behind her perfect, elite image. Something has to.”

“Thanks, Lion.”

“Be careful, Bliss. I don’t want to see you hurt. What do you really know about the Alpha who has matched with you? This Torin ? Do you want me to do a thorough background check on him as well?”

I lean against the wall, scuffing my foot on the floor.

As a journalist, I should.

As a woman falling in love, I shouldn’t.

This is tough.

Finally, I close my eyes. “How can I start off a relationship like that? I’m falling in love with him, Lion.

At the beginning, Tor was wary of me because I was a journalist. I don’t want to violate his privacy.

He’s trusting me. So, I have to trust him.

It’s his brothers and sisters who I don’t trust.”

I’m careful not to mention the PBU, just in case there are hidden cameras out here.

“Your choice. But…” Lionzio’s voice becomes haunted.

“I trusted my family, until the point that Dad betrayed me publicly, shattering my dreams. I trusted my sister, Allegra, until the moment that she tried to have me killed. Sometimes, it’s only family who can get close enough to trick and truly destroy us. ”

I open my eyes, shocked.

Lionzio rarely speaks about his past. I know that it’s agony for him to remember what happened to him.

“Lion,” I whisper, heartbroken. “I’m sorry.”

“Just keep yourself safe. I was forcibly adopted into my first pack, and they used and then threw me away like trash. Your Wolf pack has virtually adopted me now, and with you, I feel useful and loved. I want my bestie to come home and see Pip’s routine of your dance, while we have an ice-cream and movie night together.

I don’t want to lose our friendship. I’ve never had a healthy one before. You have no idea what it means to me.”

My throat is tight with tears. “You won’t lose me and you’ll never lose my friendship.

Find out about Easter and text me the details.

I promise, you’re an honorary Wolf. It won’t matter if I become an Idol, you’ll still be my best friend.

Don’t stay up late tonight. I know you and overworking, when someone’s asked you for help. You can look into this tomorrow.”

“Night, Bliss.”

I smile. “Night, Lion.”

I slip the phone back into my pocket with a sigh.

If family can be the most dangerous because they can get the closest, then doesn’t it work both ways?

Doesn’t it mean that Torin is the most dangerous to his siblings?

I glance around, as my heartbeat kicks up.

Where’s Torin? Why isn’t he back yet?

I peer around, wary of the security guards.

Then I pace from one side of the corridor to the other. My toes curl on the hard wood.

I walk faster and faster. My pulse speeds up.

I reach the corner, turning back to look down the long, empty corridor.

Has Torin found Jin yet?

Unexpectedly, I hear light, running footfalls behind me.

“Fuck,” I gasp.

Before I can twist around, someone grabs my shoulder.

Reacting on instinct with my self-defense training, I throw my elbow up into the person’s throat.

I’m not tall enough to hit their nose like Chase would.

I hear them cry out, then I spin around and grab them by the arm, slamming them into the wall.

Breathing hard, I find myself facing Jin.

Jin’s eyes are wild. Despite holding his throat, however, he’s shaking with excited laughter.

Finally, under the adrenaline, I can smell his warm and seductive orange and cinnamon scent.

Instantly, my pussy becomes wet with slick, sliding down my thigh.

I flush.

I shouldn’t have chosen this evening to go commando.

Jin is dressed in a designer blue suit. His hair must have been carefully pulled back by dragon clips at the start of the evening, but now, after his mad dash through the lodge, it is escaping around his face.

He looks exhilarated and like he’s in the middle of doing something that we may both regret.

I’m on board with that.

I feel fully awake for the first time today.

“Shit, did I hurt you?” I let go of Jin’s arm to push his fingers away from his throat to examine it myself.

Then I hurriedly lick over the faint pinkness where I struck in apology.