Page 42 of Bliss & Her Idols (Pack Bonds Omegaverse #10)

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Ballroom, Pack Bonds Island

I adjust my half face dragon mask. The ornate mask is metallic with blue, delicate scales and fluttering ribbons.

It feels strange — alien — to be looking out from behind the slits and to have my identity hidden.

Scent canceling products have even been worked into the wooden floor of the ballroom to enhance the illusion of mysterious strangers.

Yet there’s no doubt who the different packs are.

The Idols are dressed up like dragons with matching masks.

Of course, we also have three members in our pack.

We may be Rejects but we have strength in numbers.

I’m standing between Torin and Cricket in a line with the other contestants at the bottom of a grand, sweeping staircase, which leads down into the ballroom.

Zoe sourly ordered us to take our places. She’d already come round to the bedrooms early this morning to collect our phones and any electronic devices.

Am I paranoid, or are the staff’s attempts to isolate us a red flag?

Also, it’s meant that I haven’t been able to read anything Lionzio may have sent me about Easter.

I’m more nervous than I was before.

None of us know what we’re waiting for or what happens next.

There’s an air of tension and anticipation hanging over the room.

It’s suffocating.

My skin is prickling. I can taste the electric charge in the air like before a thunderstorm hits.

Except, I always loved to run out into our garden, when I was a kid, as soon as I heard thunder.

Mom would sprint after me, trying to keep me safe.

Her fear only spurred me to run faster.

Why would anyone be scared of lightning?

The thrill of danger made the light show appear more beautiful to me.

So, I tip up my chin and face the oncoming storm.

The ballroom is vast with glistening wooden floors. A single, giant chandelier hangs like a star at its center.

The cameras are pointed at our lineup in front of the staircase.

Stapleton and his men are intimidatingly circled around the edges of the room. Zoe stands with her arms crossed next to Stapleton.

Upholstered velvet chairs have been pushed to the back, along with a table that’s covered with trays of champagne and bottles of water.

Everyone in my pack have been too filled with nerves, however, to drink or eat anything.

Leah and Sawyer didn’t have the same problem, however, when they strolled arm-in-arm through the arched doorway. They were dressed in handsome matching black outfits with feathered, raven masks.

It wasn’t hard to work out that it was them, when Leah instantly waved at me.

Then they descended on the drinks table, snatching up crystal champagne glasses, before Sawyer swung Leah around in a waltz that proved just how much he’d deliberately pretended to suck at dancing on the second task in order to help me out.

Easter was in a less happy mood, however, when she flounced into the room in an orange faux fur lined evening dress, along with a golden fox mask.

She instantly grabbed a bottle of water, twisting it between her hands like she was trying to strangle it.

Then she focused on the marks on my throat.

Her nose scrunched up.

“Trash,” she muttered.

Torin bared his fangs.

Yet I didn’t need him to fight my battles. This was between Omegas.

“How did your date with Jin go?” I called across, sweetly.

Easter’s face reddened, before she turned away without answering.

Easter’s Alpha, Montserrat, looked ravishing in a matching dress and fox mask. She entered several minutes after her Omega, however, and didn’t speak to her, although she smiled at Torin.

If Montserrat has fully woken up to the type of person Easter is, then she’s dodged a bullet.

I shift from foot to foot. Then my hip nudges against Cricket’s, and I settle.

My men are here.

We’re together.

We can win tonight.

We’re taking our Beta home with us.

All of a sudden, the lights go dark.

I gasp.

Both Cricket and Torin reach to hold my hand.

Then a spotlight in the shape of a star illuminates the area at the top of the staircase.

My eyes widen.

Jin is standing in the spotlight, holding a microphone.

He’s dressed in a matching pale blue satin suit to Torin and Cricket’s, as if we’re already a dragon pack. He’s wearing a gleaming silver robe. His hair is down and wild; clips like chips of ice glitter in it.

Unlike everyone else’s masks, Jin’s elaborate mask covers his entire face.

It’s dramatic with ornate horns and silver chains hanging from it to Jin’s waist.

He’s not moving.

My heart leaps. Is he going to perform?

He looks like the brooding hero of a romantasy novel.

Is this truly the man who dragged me into a closet last night and left these hickies on my neck?

Unexpectedly, music begins to play.

It isn’t a song that I recognize.

Excitement thrums through me.

Is this a never heard before Jin song?

The base and drum are powerful, the rhythm slow and seductive, and the melody enough to have me panting.

This isn’t Jin’s normal style.

I glance at Torin in the dark.

Did he write it? Is this part of his plan?

Torin’s brows, however, are pinched together in confusion.

Did Jin write this himself?

Did he write it for us?

My heart beats faster, as I watch Jin raise the microphone and begin to sing.

Instantly, I’m entranced.

Everybody is.

Jin is a magician on a stage, any fucking stage .

His voice is like winding smoke. When he dances, he’s a flame come to life.

My throat is tight.

This is why millions of people buy Jin’s music, crush on him, and feel like he’s singing to them and them alone, as if he can see into their souls.

Except, right now, he’s singing to my pack alone.

Jin’s dark eyes behind his mask never leave mine.

He’s serenading us.

And I thought that it was Torin who liked to make big public romantic gestures. These two men make the perfect couple.

I know the moment that the other two realize the same as me, when Cricket and Torin squeeze my hand.

I’m smiling, humming along, swaying and swinging Cricket’s arm.

My heart is overloaded with love.

The story of the song hits hard.

It’s about a Beta, who is separated from the Alpha he’s loved since childhood, finally gaining a second chance with him and the Omegas who complete his pack.

Finally discovering his pack bonds.

Like all of Jin’s songs, it’s relatable.

It’s also a love confession.

I’m spellbound, caught between laughing and crying. I never dreamed that someone would write me such a beautiful song to prove their love.

At the same time, however, I know that Jin is also singing this in case it’s his goodbye.

Jin is smart enough to know the impact that the song will have on his fans around the world. If he’s torn away from his true pack bonds, or Torin is locked up, then his superfans will fight to the ends of the earth for us.

When Jin slides his long fingers teasingly up the microphone, I can’t look away. Sweat drips down the back of my neck, as I heat up.

Jin touches his lips to the top of the microphone like he’s kissing it. As he sings, he darts his tongue out to lick it.

Next to me, Torin inhales sharply.

Jin may as well be giving Torin and Cricket a blow job publicly in front of the entire world by the way that he’s playing with the microphone while eyefucking them.

He’d make an incredible resistance member with this performance.

It’s code, as much as the code that he hid in his letters.

On the final chorus, Jin swaggers down the stairs with full cocky bad boy attitude.

Yet the lyrics of his song are filled with agonizing, yearning love. They’re for the Idols, the pack that he’s desperate to match with.

He doesn’t look away from us for a single moment.

Suddenly, as if he can’t contain himself, Jin throws the microphone.

Startled, I step forward.

Is he okay?

What’s gone wrong?

Jin bounds down the final steps, tearing off his dragon mask and hurling it clattering to the floor.

“Idol,” Stapleton’s voice booms in warning, “Zoe insists that you keep to the script.”

“Fuck the script.” Jin appears close to losing control but that makes him even more handsome to me.

Seeing him stand up to the staff who have controlled him feels as if he’s won the prize.

Torin begins to clap. Cricket instantly joins in.

Leah and Sawyer whoop and cheer.

Jin’s shoulders finally relax.

He sweeps me into his arms. Then he dips me backwards as he kisses me.

I moan into the passionate kiss.

“I love you,” Jin murmurs. “Meeting all of you and spending this time with you has been the best experience of my life.”

“It’s not over yet,” I say with a determined glint in my eye.

Torin taps Jin on his shoulder. “May I cut in?”

Jin sets me on my feet.

Then Torin spins Jin and dips him , kissing the Beta as passionately as Jin kissed me.

Easter squeaks in outrage.

“Are you trying to steal my job?” Torin arches his brow. “Writing your own songs now too, huh?”

Jin bites his lip. “Did you like it?”

“Enough to accept that we should probably co-write some songs. And you know that I never think anyone is as talented as I am. But only if you do that filthy thing with the microphone again. In private next time.”

“How about I show you just how talented a singer is with their mouth? Breathing exercises have made me highly skilled at—”

I cough, reddening. “Remember the cameras.”

Jin doesn’t look repentant. “Put me down. I haven’t kissed my little Chirp.”

Torin swings Jin around and laughing, deposits him into Cricket’s arms.

Cricket chirps happily. “Your song was beautiful. Is that how you really see me?”

Jin kisses Cricket. “When we were pen pals, I fell in love with you. I waited so many years for us to be together in real life. I wish…”

Jin turns away, pretending that he’s not hiding the distress that’s written across his face.

He pushes his sweaty hair behind his ears. He’s breathing hard from his performance, still coming down from the high.

“Here.” Easter holds out her water bottle to him. “You shouldn’t be dehydrated. Is that why you’re shaking? This is the big final. Get yourself under control.”

As someone who has lived their lives taking orders, Jin accepts the water automatically from her and has a swig. “Thanks.”

Then he hands the bottle back.

When Serenity appears at the top of the stairs with a strained smile (which isn’t surprising, considering the fact that the star and prize of their TV show has ripped up the script), the rest of us fall silent.

Jin stiffens.

Cricket nuzzles against Jin in comfort. Torin lays his arms around Jin’s shoulder. I grasp his hand.

Whatever happens, we’re united.

Let them try and tear us apart now.

“Welcome to the final of Pack Bonds. I hope that you all enjoyed the world exclusive of Jin’s new song.

” Serenity is dressed in a red ball gown with a venetian lace gold and red mask.

“It looks like our Idol has attempted to turn the tables and select his own pack. How romantic. What a love story. But this is where I must announce the twist.”

Adrenaline spikes through me.

What the hell does she mean?

“Twist?” Torin’s eyes flash.

Serenity takes a step back from his icy rage. “The surprise to both our Idol and his three possible packs. What you don’t know is that this final has already been decided. Ice Dragon doesn’t have the vote on his bond. As a special change to this season, it’s up to the audience.”

“ No ,” I exclaim, before I can stop myself.

My heart is thudding in my chest.

I didn’t expect this.

Who puts the future of someone’s life up to a public vote?

“Oh, but the audience have already been voting since 6 a.m. this morning.” Serenity replies smugly. My blood chills. That was the time that Zoe took away our phones. Cricket whines in distress. “The voting is now closed. Give me a moment, and I’ll announce the results.”

“Finally,” Easter says with satisfaction. “Let’s get down to it.”

My knees feel like they’re going to buckle.

“This is an outrage,” Torin growls.

“I’m not ready,” Jin mutters. “Please, please, please …”

Serenity draws out the moment as long as she can to make the most of the tension, before holding up her hand and announcing, “The pack who will bond with this year’s Beta prize on Pack Bonds Island is…the Idols!”

My mind is fuzzy with white noise.

I hardly register the lights that burst on at the same time that glitter falls from the sky like falling stars.

Jin’s music blares out in celebration.

“They voted for us to be together!” Cricket bounces up and down, before dragging Jin away and twirling him around.

His joy has made him forget his shyness.

Leah and Sawyer are dancing to the music, as if they’ve won.

“I’m getting another drink.” Montserrat strolls to the champagne, unconcerned.

Torin is standing, dazed. “We won. Jin’s safe. He’s ours .”

I wrap my arms around Torin. “We’re going to be a pack.”

A surge of exhilaration washes over me, and I ride it.

After everything that we’ve been through, along with the demons that we’ve faced to get through this contest, my first mission is a success.

Jin is finally safe.

Plus, he’s as in love with us, as we are with him.

We’re going to bond.

“My Queen, don’t you want to mark your prize?” Jin drags a laughing Cricket toward me. I love that his playful, beaming smile is the private one that he normally never shows in public. “My marks still look good on you.”

I blush, but bite my lip with pleasure, when I reach up and trace over the bruises on my neck.

I startle in shock, however, when Jin stumbles.

Cricket attempts to hold him up, but Jin’s legs buckle underneath him.

Jin’s eyes fall closed.

He hits the floor hard; his head slams against it with a sickening crack .

My smile dies.

“ Anamchara… ” Torin throws himself to his knees next to Jin at the same time as I do.

When I press my hand to Jin’s forehead, I’m shocked to discover that he’s burning up.

His breathing is too shallow.

“Tor,” I meet Torin’s gaze in panic over Jin’s unconscious body, “this is serious.”

When Zoe attempts to bustle closer, Cricket blocks her path, despite being shorter than her. “He’s our Beta now. You won’t hurt him ever again.”

“How dare you,” Zoe hisses. “I’m his supervisor. I will—”

“You’re nothing to him. I’m his Alpha.” Torin’s voice is deadly. “I’m an Idol sibling. I’m in fucking charge here. Get the on-site doctor, order the boat to be readied, then I’m taking Jin along with my pack back to my estate. You had all better pray for your own asses’ sakes that Jin is okay.”