Page 103 of Bliss & Her Idols

He’s dangerous. Not to Cricket, Jin, or me. But to anyone who he sees as a threat.

This side of him is both frightening, and I have to admit it,thrilling.

After all, Rory is the manager who has made Jin’s life hell.

Jin is slouching like he’s trying to appear invisible but at the same time, he’s subtly blocking his manager’s view of Cricket and me.

Rory pales, when Torin toys with his tie; he doesn’t try to free himself from Torin’s grasp. “I wasn’t…I mean… I don’t want to be chasing after you either. What do you think the twins have been doing to me for the last few days, while you’ve been rutting because you made such a big spectacle and I let my Idol ruin his career? I’m that asshole’s manager. Everything he fails to do properly falls on me as well. It always has. If the Betas aren’t perfect, then I’m not as well. It’s okay for you. You got to escape to Ireland.”

“Is it,” Torin says, quietly, “okay for me, huh?”

“Look, your knot is bigger than mine, brother. Pissing contest over. You’re the one who carried some Omega away in your arms like you’d turned feral. I’m happy that I’m not the one answering for this stunt. Hey, Omegas, he didn’t bond you, right?”

“Don’t talk to them, brother.” Torin growls, yanking Rory up onto his tiptoes. “Someone like you doesn’t even look in their direction.”

The smaller Alpha desperately grabs at his tie, scrabbling at it to try and loosen it.

I notice that he doesn’t dare to shove Torin away or break free.

My throat is tight. “Let him go. You don’t need to fight my battles for me. I don’t want you to hurt him.”

“You’re protective. I understand that you would be just after a rut,” Rory rasps.

Torin finally lets Rory go with a push, and Rory stumbles, rubbing at his neck. “You’re lucky that Bliss is more forgiving than I am. Don’t disrespect any of my pack again.”

“Your pack?” Rory is breathing hard. “Oh, you have it bad, brother. They’re not your bonded pack. Mena would never allow it.”

Is MenaPhilomena, the Head Alpha?

Torin stiffens like he’s only just realized what he’s said.

My chest tightens.

Please don’t take it back.

Torin’s eyes narrow. “Bliss is my scent match. It has brought out my possessive, dominant side. Just because Mena has forbiddenyoufrom using that useless knot of yours, doesn’t mean that she won’t let me.”

I wince.

Harsh.

Rory looks like he may cry. He pushes the hair from his face, as if he needs to do something with his hands.

Then he bursts out, unable to hold the words behind his teeth anymore, “You know what…? Fuck you, Torin. Kick my ass or make me bare my neck. You don’t respect me. No one does. You’ve been able to act the playboy, however, writing songs andlazing around for years. I didn’t get to choose my job but now, I’m that Idol’s manager. You may think that you can pick your packbut you can’t have him.”

Rory backs up a step like he’s expecting Torin to attack him.

Cricket’s gaze is flicking between the two men.

Instead of launching himself on Rory, however, Torin simply takes a deliberate step between Rory and Jin.

“He’s my pack now,” he simply says.

Jin raises his head, laying his hand on Torin’s shoulder. “And he’s mine, sir.”

Rory blinks. “I must not have made myself clear. Our sister will no doubt find you a lovely little Omega and Beta to bite and bond at some elite matching ball, just like she did for Una. But you know the rules with Idols. They’re not chocolates that you can select and taste.”

Torin gives a wicked smirk. “But they’re so delicious.”

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