Page 154 of Bliss & Her Idols

Except, I always loved to run out into our garden, when I was a kid, as soon as I heard thunder.

Mom would sprint after me, trying to keep me safe.

Her fear only spurred me to run faster.

Why would anyone be scared of lightning?

The thrill of danger made the light show appear more beautiful to me.

So, I tip up my chin and face the oncoming storm.

The ballroom is vast with glistening wooden floors. A single, giant chandelier hangs like a star at its center.

The cameras are pointed at our lineup in front of the staircase.

Stapleton and his men are intimidatingly circled around the edges of the room. Zoe stands with her arms crossed next to Stapleton.

Upholstered velvet chairs have been pushed to the back, along with a table that’s covered with trays of champagne and bottles of water.

Everyone in my pack have been too filled with nerves, however, to drink or eat anything.

Leah and Sawyer didn’t have the same problem, however, when they strolled arm-in-arm through the arched doorway. They were dressed in handsome matching black outfits with feathered, raven masks.

It wasn’t hard to work out that it was them, when Leah instantly waved at me.

Then they descended on the drinks table, snatching up crystal champagne glasses, before Sawyer swung Leah around in a waltz that proved just how much he’d deliberately pretended to suck at dancing on the second task in order to help me out.

Easter was in a less happy mood, however, when she flounced into the room in an orange faux fur lined evening dress, along with a golden fox mask.

She instantly grabbed a bottle of water, twisting it between her hands like she was trying to strangle it.

Then she focused on the marks on my throat.

Her nose scrunched up.

“Trash,” she muttered.

Torin bared his fangs.

Yet I didn’t need him to fight my battles. This was between Omegas.

“How did your date with Jin go?” I called across, sweetly.

Easter’s face reddened, before she turned away without answering.

Easter’s Alpha, Montserrat, looked ravishing in a matching dress and fox mask. She entered several minutes after her Omega, however, and didn’t speak to her, although she smiled at Torin.

If Montserrat has fully woken up to the type of person Easter is, then she’s dodged a bullet.

I shift from foot to foot. Then my hip nudges against Cricket’s, and I settle.

My men are here.

We’re together.

We can win tonight.

We’re taking our Beta home with us.

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