Page 158 of Bliss & Her Idols

Cricket nuzzles against Jin in comfort. Torin lays his arms around Jin’s shoulder. I grasp his hand.

Whatever happens, we’re united.

Let them try and tear us apart now.

“Welcome to the final of Pack Bonds. I hope that you all enjoyed the world exclusive of Jin’s new song.” Serenity is dressed in a red ball gown with a venetian lace gold and red mask. “It looks like our Idol has attempted to turn the tables andselect his own pack. How romantic. What a love story. But this is where I must announce the twist.”

Adrenaline spikes through me.

What the hell does she mean?

“Twist?” Torin’s eyes flash.

Serenity takes a step back from his icy rage. “The surprise to both our Idol and his three possible packs. What you don’t know is that this final has already been decided. Ice Dragon doesn’t have the vote on his bond. As a special change to this season, it’s up to the audience.”

“No,” I exclaim, before I can stop myself.

My heart is thudding in my chest.

I didn’t expect this.

Who puts the future of someone’s life up to a public vote?

“Oh, but the audience have already been voting since 6 a.m. this morning.” Serenity replies smugly. My blood chills. That was the time that Zoe took away our phones. Cricket whines in distress. “The voting is now closed. Give me a moment, and I’ll announce the results.”

“Finally,” Easter says with satisfaction. “Let’s get down to it.”

My knees feel like they’re going to buckle.

“This is an outrage,” Torin growls.

“I’m not ready,” Jin mutters. “Please, please,please…”

Serenity draws out the moment as long as she can to make the most of the tension, before holding up her hand and announcing, “The pack who will bond with this year’s Beta prize on Pack Bonds Island is…the Idols!”

My mind is fuzzy with white noise.

I hardly register the lights that burst on at the same time that glitter falls from the sky like falling stars.

Jin’s music blares out in celebration.

“They voted for us to be together!” Cricket bounces up and down, before dragging Jin away and twirling him around.

His joy has made him forget his shyness.

Leah and Sawyer are dancing to the music, as if they’ve won.

“I’m getting another drink.” Montserrat strolls to the champagne, unconcerned.

Torin is standing, dazed. “We won. Jin’s safe.He’s ours.”

I wrap my arms around Torin. “We’re going to be a pack.”

A surge of exhilaration washes over me, and I ride it.

After everything that we’ve been through, along with the demons that we’ve faced to get through this contest, my first mission is a success.

Jin is finally safe.

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