Page 196 of Bliss & Her Idols

Cricket whines.

Jin is shivering, and despite not wearing a top, I know that it’s not because of the cold.

Rory slowly turns to take hold of the guitar like it’s been dipped in poison. He wets his lips, before walking over to the wardrobe.

I find that I can’t look away, no matter how much I want to, in the same way that Torin can’t, when Rory raises the cherished guitar above his head and smashes it against the wardrobe once.

Then twice.

The guitar shatters.

The wooden shards spray across the floor.

When Rory hurls the broken neck and body of the guitar down with a clatter and discordant clang of twanging notes, Torin isn’t able to hold back his flinch.

Philomena smiles, smoothing her finger over her smudged lipstick. “Now that nonsense is out of the way, you can tell me whythatIdol is up here and playing at being a bonded memberof a pack, rather than sleeping in the dorms and attending his practice? You’re his manager, Rory. You’re also Torin’s older brother. You should be setting a good example; I’ve always told you that.”

Rory looks startled. “Mandatory bond leave.”

“Has my brother negotiated for that? Idols don’t get time off. Is this news to you? You’re ultimately responsible for everything that has gone wrong from the concert onward, Rory. The twins are eager that I send you to join Zero in the Re-education House for the next six months.”

Rory blanches, stumbling back over the broken guitar.

His terror is chokingly heavy in the room.

“I…I…s-s-sister, please, p-p-punish me yourself. Why don’t I come to your room after this? Whatever you want. Just d-d-don’t give m-m-me tothem. You know what they’ll do. I accept responsibility but—”

“Well, you shouldn’t.” Torin’s frosty gaze is fixed on Mena’s. His lips are pinched. He swaggers to stand in front of Rory protectively. Rory stares at him in shock. “I’m a big enough boy now to take the blame for myself. Rory doesn’t need to go toyour room, or anywhere near the sadistic twins. I’m the one who fell into rut in the arena. I decided to cement my position in the pack by winning the Pack Bonds contest. I wanted to impress you, sister. Also, you know that I have a weakness forprettylittle darlings.”

Philomena huffs a laugh. “Well, well, baby Tortor all grown up. Youhaveimpressed me. I’ll let you make the decision then, but you may not like the consequences. Who should be punished, Rory or you?”

Dread churns in my guts.

Panicking, I’m trembling.

What will this psycho Head Alpha do to Torin?

Yet I know what Torin is going to say.

Please, don’t say it.

He hates Rory, right?

Rory just smashed his guitar. Plus, Torin won’t choose to sacrifice himself for the brother who betrayed him.

“Torin,” Rory warns. “You don’t know—"

“Punish me,” Torin insists, coolly.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Idol Estate

Has Philomena been punishing Torin all night? Where did she take him? What the hell is she doing to him?

I wipe the tears off my cheeks.

All night, Torin’s pain slashed through the bond.

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