Page 66 of Bliss & Her Idols (Pack Bonds Omegaverse #10)

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Torin’s Bedroom, Idol Estate

“ C harming worked hard to find the best doctors for my Omegaosis.” Cricket hugs his arms around his legs.

“For six months, I’ve dutifully attended appointments all around America.

Torin has flown in the best doctors from around the world.

I’ve started treatments, and it’s been exhausting. But I’m fighting, Bee, I’m fighting.”

My eyes burn with tears.

I push myself onto my knees next to Cricket on the bed and reach to grip his chin. I tilt it up to make him meet my gaze.

I need to make sure that he’s hearing me.

“You’re not alone in this, Crick.” My voice wavers with tears but I struggle to keep it level.

“I’m here, whenever you need to talk, vent, or cry.

You don’t need to be strong all the time or do this for anyone but yourself.

You’re worthy of this treatment. You deserve our care.

You’re fucking important. But you’re also in charge of the medical decisions.

I swear that I’ll be with you all the way on this. Whatever you decide.”

We both know what I mean.

Cricket has found it hard to meet so many doctors with varying views and harsh treatment programs.

They wear him out more than before.

Despite that, he’s still as sweet as he ever was.

And happy.

Cricket’s expression is unusually serious. “The doctor rang me this morning.”

I stiffen. Panic skyrockets through me.

My grip tightens on Cricket’s chin like that can stop him saying the bad news that I fear more than my own death.

“What…?” I whisper.

“My last tests came back.” Cricket’s expression softens.

He shakes himself out of my grip, before hugging me and pulling me against his neck.

I feel like I should be the one to comfort him but I can’t help taking desperate breaths of his scent and clutching tightly onto his jacket.

I don’t want to hear this. “I never believed that this could be cured. I’ve been seeing the doctors and doing the treatments to make the rest of you happy.

I’m sorry. I’m too old for them to work fully.

The doctors can’t cure me, but I can find ways to live with it.

I’m still going to fight for every day that we have left together.

They can probably extend that time or at least, give me a better chance.

I never thought that I’d be bonded, have my own pack, or be loved by the female Omega in a pack.

I’m having my first ever Christmas with a family who love me.

Please, can we wait until after Christmas to tell the others? Let’s make the most of every moment.”

Tears chase down my cheeks. But I ignore them. All my focus is on the incredible Omega who has spent six months trying to make us happy.

I want to spend the rest of my life with him and grow old under the leaves of the forest, walking hand and hand in the dappled sunshine, as our hair fades to gray.

If we can’t have that, then I’ll take it day by day.

I’ll fit in as much pleasure and joy into each of those days for my Omega, while making sure that he gets to experience the normal family life that he’s missed.

If he wants a happy Christmas without sadness, then it’s the least that I can give him.

“You tell them when you’re ready,” I reply. “How can we help your condition at home?”

“I love the baths that Charming runs for me. They help with the pain. Also, Jin’s massages.

Plus, nuzzling with you in our nest and your scent helps me more than anything.

” He kisses the stop of my head. “Until the day I die, I will love you with my whole heart, body, and soul. You’re my everything, Bee. ”

“Then remember that you’re mine.” I draw back from him, meeting his amber gaze. I’m breathing too fast. “And you’re not going anywhere.”

He ducks his head, quirking his lips. “Yes, ma’am.”

I deliberately lick along his scent gland. Deep inside, through the bond, I feel that I am helping his condition.

Our connection is stronger than most Omegas in a pack.

Even our nest and intermingled scents eases his pain. Nuzzling, my purring, and pheromones has the same impact.

I’m going to spend as much time with him as I can, scenting and marking him.

If our bond strengthens, then it will be harder for it to shatter. I will take whatever I can get. Every extra year on his life is more important to me than any year of my own life.

Perhaps, pack bonds are even more of a lifesaver than I’ve realized.

Suddenly, I hear Jin’s caramel voice mingled with Torin’s deeper one like smoke gusting through the door in warning.

Hurriedly, I wipe away the tears on my cheeks.

Then the door bursts open.

Jin tumbles through the door in a whirlwind of long frost white hair and laughter.

He still likes to make dramatic entrances.

He’s wrapped around Torin, looking like sin in leather trousers and a sleeveless punky top with blue dragon scales that are more like chainmail. His hair hangs loose and free around his shoulders how he likes it best.

He’s breathtaking but tough.

He’s still the Ice Dragon but now on his own terms.

Jin bonded with Piper over punky clothes. He truly has always loved my style, and as soon as he was free to choose his own wardrobe, he was like a kid in a candy store, when he peered inside Piper’s closet.

“How many songs do I need to sing in your honor for you to design me a new outfit?” He breathed.

My brother patted him on the shoulder. “Promise to never hurt my sister, and I’ll design you an entire new wardrobe.”

Now, Jin looks like he’s trying to pull Torin out of a grumpy mood, which is a common occurrence.

Also common, is how much Torin is enjoying being dragged back to our bedroom, while pretending not to be. He’s dressed in a casual pair of jeans and a limited edition Jin band t-shirt.

He rarely wears suits or formal wear when he doesn’t have to.

Torin is such a dominant Alpha that he doesn’t need suits to emphasize who the Head Alpha is.

“Zero isn’t playing truant ,” Jin is protesting. “He’s working hard on a mission.”

“He’s working hard on something,” Torin mutters. “Called Piper.”

“Us Idols are persistent when we fall in love. I wrote love letters to my Omega for years. I courted you by singing your songs. And my female Omega…?” Jin winks at me. “How many people can say that they were won in front of millions in a TV show?”

Cricket and I exchange a glance.

“Don’t you think that it’s time two Omegas hunted their Beta and Alpha?” I whisper.

The lingering sadness clears from Cricket’s expression, as I’d hoped, and instead, wickedness shines in his eyes.

He’s fully corrupted by us now.

I take pride in that.

Together, we crawl to the end of the bed and push ourselves off. We prowl toward our men.

I separate Jin with a light growl from his Alpha like a wolf herding sheep.

Jin shivers, as his pupils dilate. He allows himself to be backed toward the wardrobe and the mistletoe.

It’s times like this that the size difference between Cricket and Torin is startlingly obvious, as Cricket stalks up to the man who is a head taller than he is.

Torin’s lips quirk. “Want something, mo stoirin?”

“You,” Cricket replies boldly.

Torin’s eyes flash, before he reaches up to snatch down a bunch of mistletoe. Then he picks Cricket up under one arm and carries him back to the bed.

Cricket struggles for one moment at the role reversal. “Hey, I was hunting you.”

“Unfortunately for you, this Alpha is the hunter.” Torin sprawls with his back against the headboard like he isn’t manhandling an Omega onto his lap at the same time.

I watch in amusement.

Then Torin holds the mistletoe above his head. “Do you want to try again?”

Cricket smooths down his jacket, before giving up and diving on Torin.

He kisses him, deep and claiming and with a need to prove that right now, he’s alive.

Taken by surprise at Cricket’s passion, Torin drops the mistletoe. Then he raises his hands to Cricket’s shoulders. He allows Cricket to lead, gently caressing his shoulders, massaging the tension out of him.

Jin glances up at the mistletoe above his own head, before relaxing underneath it, as if he’s posing for a model shoot. “Oh, look. An innocent Beta beneath mistletoe. It’s an open invitation. Anything could happen.”

“Anything like this.” I seal Jin’s lips with mine.

Jin loops his arms around my waist, pulling me flush against him.

He’s breathing fast as he deepens the kiss.

I run my fingers up his arms, breathing in his intoxicating citrus scent.

Finally, I pull back, staring into his dark eyes.

“I love you,” I whisper.

“I love you too, my Queen.” Jin sucks on my lower lip. “I can’t wait to spend Christmas with you.”

I glance back at the bed.

Wow, Cricket and Torin are still kissing.

Look at them go.

That Alpha truly has been hunted.

I won’t interrupt them.

I entwine Jin’s hand with mine. “How was class?”

Jin grins. “It was brilliant. I took the college aged Idols. There are a couple who have star potential. Charming is working to help them write their own songs. You know that he’s keen on our Idols having more ownership over their own careers and music.”

I nod.

Torin, Jin, and Immortal have reformed not only the Idol camp but the Idol system throughout America over the last six months.

The Idols have been released from their contracts. The rules have been rewritten with the Idols having access to the outside world and their families.

Some chose to leave and return to their original packs. Once they learned that Torin would become the new music and songwriting coach, while Immortal and Jin would be teaching dance and singing, however, most were excited to stay.

These friends are loved within the pack. They’re safe, and so are all the Idols.

The fans demanded it, holding rallies around the world.

Even Omegas were prepared to speak out, whether online or in person, to demand that the singers who bring them their entertainment, comfort, and escape were safe and not forced into bonds.