Page 107 of Bliss & Her Idols

I glance down at my outfit self-consciously, running my hand along the lace.

I wince, when my Rej bracelet jangles, definitely loudly enough for the microphones to pick up.

Cricket and I are the only two Rejects on the island.

Despair sweeps through me.

How are we going to compete against these elite Alphas and Omegas?

Piper stayed up throughout the last three nights in a row to sew us some outfits that would be worthy of being seen on this show.

Of course, he gave them his own punky spin.

Well, at least we’ll stand out.

Cricket is dressed in sturdy boots, black leather trousers with studs, and a loose, asymmetrical silver top that makes him look like a punky knight.

It also reveals a strip of his tanned shoulder, collar bone, and stomach.

I don’t think Cricket has any idea how irresistible he is.

I pat at the front of my black leather dress, which is lacy at the front with long slits at the side.

I’m wearing knee length leather boots.

My long, golden hair is caught back with gleaming wolf clips.

Lion gave them to me to make up for the clip that I lost.

I know that he must have spent everything he’s saved on them.

When Lionzio placed the clips into my palm, I tried to push them back into his hand.

It was my fault that I’d lost his first birthday gift.

But Lionzio firmly closed my fist around the clips. “I wish that I could have added the same technology into these to keep you safe. But your brother insisted that he didn’t want to risk the producers picking up on it. You’ve adopted me into your pack, Bliss. You treat me like your best friend and brother, when I feel lost and alone. I don’t deserve your kindness, but you granted it anyway. You should have something on you that shows you’reproudof being a Wolf.”

Now, I glance at Cricket.

I squeeze his hand twice in our private signal. His hand is clammy, but he squeezes back.

“Can you smell the salt on the sea breeze and hear the soft lull of the waves?” I say.

Cricket nods. “I’ve never been to the beach before. It’s on my bucket list. But I never thought that I’d really get to visit the sea. It looks like it goes on forever. Like magic.”

His breathing starts to slow.

I feel like I may have my own panic attack. I have to fight hard to hold onto my emotions.

Cricket has a bucket list? Is it because of his Omegaosis?

I drop my hand to his hard abdomen, massaging in a way that I know helps him with the pain.

Over the last week, I’ve made sure that he has a daily bath, hot water bottles, and a warm nest.

He never complains about the pain, even when he’s suffering.

He’s fucking brave.

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