Page 105 of Bliss & Her Idols

I remember Cricket showing me the evidence of the rulebook:

A rock star Beta who divulges to journalists or fans the Idols’ rules, training regime, or punishments will be matchedwith an Alpha and Omega in the Pack Bonds TV show. Idols cannot refuse this bond.

I can hardly get out the words. “You’re going to force Jin into a bond.”

Rory smooths down his tie, until it’s wrinkle free. “I’m going to allow the top singer in the country to salvage his public image on a beautiful island paradise. All he needs to do is appear on a televised show to find his perfect, bonded pack, and you’ll all be saved.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Beach, Pack Bonds Island

“Ican’t do this.” Cricket’s breathing is shaky. His huge amber eyes are wild. He looks close to tipping into a panic attack for real. “Too many people.”

“Breathe.” I coax Cricket to lean against me, hiding his face against my neck to hide him from the cameras. “In, out. That’s it. Keep your eyes on me. I’m here. Not long until the opening ceremony begins. We’re not here for anybody but Jin. We’re going to win him in this Pack Bonds contest. Then it’ll be official and legal. It’s all that matters. Now, concentrate on how my fingers feel between yours.”

I sayofficial and legalpointedly because microphones were fixed to Cricket and my clothes the moment that we stepped off the boat this sunny Tuesday morning and onto the tiny, private island off the coast of America, which is named Pack Bonds Island.

I can’t talk about secret missions or being undercover, until we’re in the privacy of our bedroom, where there are no cameras and our microphones will be switched off.

I don’t know who sent us the invitations to take part in the televised contest to become part of Jin’s pack.

It’s part of the mystery and hype of the event that the invites are delivered like the type of hand delivered invitations to matching balls that elite packs send.

A vast bouquet of purple roses was delivered to Coffee Knot Tea, along with two golden cards in metallic writing:

Pack Bonds Island

You are invited to take part in a unique television reality show for Alphas and Omegas.

For the opportunity to form a pack on the island and then compete to win a bond with the rock Idol sensation, Ice Dragon.

Details will be sent to you over the next week.

Congratulations on being selected!

I was frozen in shock.

Who sent the invites to the contest?

Rory? Philomena? One of the other Idol siblings?

Jin?

The Omega resistance?

The one person I know didn’t send it to us is Torin.

The Alpha abandoned Cricket and me, while we were still crumpled on the hotel bed and sobbing, with a simple command for me tocall my brother.

Then he stalked after Rory without a backward glance.

Seeing Jin dragged away by Rory, knowing that he was going to be forced into a bond and being unable to stop it, was one of the hardest moments of my life.

Torin hasn’t contacted me over the last week.

It made me realize that he never gave me his number. I guess that he doesn’t have mine either.

Cricket and I barely managed to get in a final hug, before Jin was pulled away from us.

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