Page 124 of Bliss & Her Idols

Then he straightens his shoulders, before marching onto the stage, as if he’s walking to his execution.

Torin growls, when Craven leans over Jin, trapping him on the throne.

Jin must be under orders not to move, but his hands twitch like he’s desperate to push the man away.

I glare at Zoe, willing her to intervene as Jin’s supervisor. Isn’t she there to support and protect him?

Only, she doesn’t.

“Look what I’ll do for you, pretty boy.” Craven is attempting to dominate Jin, probably to shore up his fragile Alpha ego that’s about to take a battering from his poor performance. “I’mthe Influencer Knot King in front of a camera. But you want more tribute, huh? Fuck that. Alphas don’t waste time messing around on toys like this. I leave that to sweet Betas like you.”

Jin’s lips thin.

“You must play or be disqualified.” Serenity’s voice is hard. “Then you will be removed from the island.”

For a moment, I think that Craven is going to hit Jin.

Torin moves faster than I knew he could, pushing Cricket into my arms and throwing himself toward the stage with a snarl.

Craven backs away from Jin with his hands held up to appease Torin. His eyes are wide with fear.

Torin’s dominant pheromones are flooding the room. It’s enough to make every single person here want to drop to their knees.

“Okay, okay, fuck, what’s your problem?” Craven bangs his knee, as he settles himself awkwardly behind the drum set.

He stares at it in confused defeat.

Then he picks up the drumsticks and beats out a furious rhythm that makes me wince.

Ouch, that’s painful.

Craven hits the cymbal, before hurling the drumsticks down.

He’s panting hard.

Nobody applauds.

“Fuck this shit.” Craven slips out from behind the drums.

Before he can storm off the stage, however, Serenity stops him.

“All contestants must wait for Ice Dragon’s judgment at the back of the stage,” Serenity says with smug satisfaction.

“Since when did Alphas wait on Betas?” Craven mutters, crossing his arms.

Please let him come last.

I hope that Jin can see me, even if I’m in darkness.

At least, let him be able to sense me.

Cricket and I nuzzle at each other’s necks, licking and breathing in each other’s comforting pheromones, as the spotlight of doom starts sweeping over the room again.

“Not me,” Cricket whispers, repeatedly. “Not me,please.”

I take fast, scared breaths.

If this goes wrong, then we’ll be losing our Beta this morning.

---