Page 134 of Bliss & Her Idols

We both know that we’re acting.

“Don’t upset my poor little darling,” Torin lectures Easter. “You should take accountability for your own clumsiness. After all, my Omega has said sorry. Aren’t you a good Omega?”

Easter’s mouth falls open like a fish.

Trapped by her own toxic, prejudiced views.

She ignores Torin, swimming to the edge of the pool instead.

“Help me out,” Easter orders Montserrat.

Montserrat looks down at her with a flat look.

Then Montserrat tilts her head. “Nope, I don’t think that I’mAlpha enoughto manage that.”

With a furious hiss, Easter drags herself out of the pool.

Satisfyingly, her hair is hanging in wet rat’s tails over her face. Water drips down her chest, as she scrambles to her feet.

Before she can dry off, Serenity strolls down the steps of the terrace.

Today, the presenter is dressed in a blue bikini, which is looped with silver chains. She’s wearing spiky diamond stilettos. Her black hair is coiled on her head like a serpent.

The second task is about to begin.

Adrenaline spikes through me.

Jin is walking stiffly behind Serenity.

I struggle to peer around Serenity to catch the first glimpse of Jin.

Cricket is pushing himself onto his tiptoes, trying to do the same thing.

Jin is only dressed in black shorts, which are the same as the male contestants. His feet are bare.

Somehow, he still manages to look like he’s on a pool party model shoot.

His white hair is tied back at his neck with a dragon clip, leaving his neck exposed.

In fact, like this he’s more vulnerable, as if the elaborate costumes at least give him a layer of protection. Yet they’ve been deliberately stripped away from him.

He’s being paraded in front of all of us now as the prize.

But also, in front of the world.

I hate how dead Jin’s gaze is again. He’s not looking at anyone but only into the air. He’s disassociating from the entire experience.

“Welcome contestants to the second day on the island!” Serenity pauses on the final step, making the most of her entrance again. Fucking dramatic. “Welcome also to the second task. Would you like to learn what it is? How you can win the bond with our rock star Idol here?”

When she gestures at Jin, he takes his cue and walks forward to stand at the bottom of the steps like a puppet.

The other Alphas and Omegas also take their cue to call out enthusiasticyeses.

Serenity gives a smarmy smile. “Then prepare to experience your first dance class. Ice Dragon is going to lead you in a session. You’ll have a taste of being new recruits in the Idol camp. The contestant who performs best will win a date withhim again tonight. And the one who performs worst, will once again, immediately leave the island.”

I freeze. “Tell me that you were exaggerating about not being able to dance…?”

Torin rests his chin on my head. “There’s a reason that Jin and I made a pact never to talk about my failed lessons.”

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