Page 142 of Bliss & Her Idols

And that includes on bad dates.

I can’t stop thinking about the way that Easter tried to intimidate Jin by standing as close to him as she could.

…Then tonight on our date, you will behave. Because once I win this entire game, you’ll be bonded to my pack. I’ll remember every little detail of your behavior. Then I’ll take my revenge for it…

There’s more going on with Easter than a slighted Omega who has read too many bully romances and feels like it’s her right to make her Beta pay for not falling at her feet.

My journalistic senses are tingling.

I pull out my phone from the pocket of my top. Then I turn it on and call Lionzio.

“Hey,” a sleepy voice says, “are you all right, Bliss?”

I wince.

Maybe it’s later than I thought it was.

“Sorry, Lion, did I wake you?”

“It’s fine.” Lionzio instantly becomes more business-like. “I’m only tired because I was up early helping Pip out in the coffee shop. Then I’ve been working on accounts all day. It’s amazing to hear from you. We’ve been watching you online. The wolf clips look good on you. Your dancing today was…unique.”

“You mean that you all laughed your asses off over it, and Pip has spent the day mimicking me.”

Lionzio hesitates, before he replies, “Uncanny. It’s like you actually know us.”

I huff, before lowering my voice, “I’m calling because I need you to investigate one of the contestants.”

“It’s Easter, isn’t it?” Lionzio immediately replies, his tone becoming steely.

“Huh, and now it’s like you know me.”

“What she said to Jin was sick. In my mafia family, I was taught a lot of bad shit about Betas and their worth. My best friend was one, and I thought that I was fair and kind to him. I took whippings to protect him. Dad punished me for beingsoft on him. But I still never treated him like he deserved to be treated, as if he was more than a servant. I should have realized that standing up for him wasn’t enough, if I couldn’t love and respect him as a real friend. I’ve been able to see that clearly, since I was rescued by your brother and Harley from my ex-pack. I’m trying to become a different man. A better one who may at some point be worthy of my own pack.”

My eyes prick with tears.

“You are,” I say, fervently. “You’re agoodAlpha. You’re already worthy of your own bonded pack.”

A long silence.

“I’ll hack Easter’s accounts.” Lionzio deliberately ignores my confidence in him about pack bonds. He was forbidden to have them by his Dad, who set out to isolate and break him. Now thatI know how incredible it feels to find people who I crave to be my bond and won’t steal my freedom, I’m desperate to help both Piper and Lionzio to find the same happiness. “I’ll investigate her social media and see what I can find that lies behind her perfect, elite image. Something has to.”

“Thanks, Lion.”

“Be careful, Bliss. I don’t want to see you hurt. What do you really know about the Alpha who has matched with you? ThisTorin? Do you want me to do a thorough background check on him as well?”

I lean against the wall, scuffing my foot on the floor.

As a journalist, I should.

As a woman falling in love, I shouldn’t.

This is tough.

Finally, I close my eyes. “How can I start off a relationship like that? I’m falling in love with him, Lion. At the beginning, Tor was wary of me because I was a journalist. I don’t want to violate his privacy. He’s trusting me. So, I have to trust him. It’s his brothers and sisters who I don’t trust.”

I’m careful not to mention the PBU, just in case there are hidden cameras out here.

“Your choice. But…” Lionzio’s voice becomes haunted. “I trustedmyfamily, until the point that Dad betrayed me publicly, shattering my dreams. I trusted my sister, Allegra, until the moment that she tried to have me killed. Sometimes, it’s only family who can get close enough to trick and truly destroy us.”

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