Page 195 of Bliss & Her Idols

I can sense that Cricket is reminding me of the mission.

Save the Idols.

We have to trick Philomena and pretend to be subdued long enough to rise up.

Yet I’m less convinced than Torin that his sister, Una, is the answer. Torin has such faith in Una because her bonded pack are the only ones who noticed his neglect and kept him alive as a kid.

But why didn’tUnamake sure that he was protected from his family for all those years?

I dread what could happen to Torin, if he pins his hopes on Una standing up for him, but then she leaves him to her sister’s cruelty.

As she always has before.

Rory runs his hands through his curls. “The polls show that this…situation…has boosted the Idol pack’s reputation. I’ve managed to spin it in a positive direction. The Pack Bonds show was a huge success. The fans are going wild with excitement to see Torin’s new bonded mates. I have interviews set up for—”

“Rory,” Philomena barks.

Rory jumps, before trudging to stand in front of Torin. “I’m sorry.”

He holds out his hand.

I can’t believe that Philomena is using one brother as a weapon against the other.

Did she always use Rory like this?

Is Rory hated within his own pack because he’s been forced to hurt them?

Torin glares at Rory. “Fuck off.”

Rory’s jaw clenches. “Give me the guitar.”

“Only if you shove it up your ass.”

I hoped that Torin would forgive Rory. Will he ever do that, if Rory takes his music from him?

Philomena tuts, strolling to Rory.

She strokes one of Rory’s curls behind his ear. It should be a tender gesture but it looks more possessive.

It makes my skin crawl.

Rory appears like he wants to pull away but has been trained not to.

“Another failure, Rory?” Philomena pats his cheek. “What did I say about that?”

Rory twirls back to fully face Philomena, vibrating with tension. “I tried. Give me another chance.”

Torin is watching the exchange in alarm.

What’s going to happen to Rory?

“How many chances do you want?” Philomena lays her hand around Rory’s throat in a way that would be calming if he was her Omega.

Only, he’s her Alpha brother, and it can only be a threat.

“Here.” Torin instantly shoves his guitar out toward Rory.

My heart aches.

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