Page 234 of Bliss & Her Idols

“Brother.” Rory bares his neck.

It’s a shocking move for an Alpha to bare his neck to another Alpha like this in public, especially when he knows that it’s being filmed.

Yet Rory offered to make this gesture.

He’s trying to make up for his past mistakes.

He’s also trying to prove that he does love Torin.

When one Alpha bares their neck to another willingly, it’s a powerful primal gesture of submission.

Also, as practiced, Cricket and I copy Rory and fall to our knees.

“Head Alpha,” we say as loudly and clearly as we can at the same time.

Jin and Immortal kneel next, followed by every other Idol.

I sneak a glance at the stunned Idol siblings who are sitting in the front row.

“You are not the Head Alpha,” Philomena snarls. “This is as much a performance as your song was. But none of it is real. I still have the authority to send you to the center and—”

“You don’t, actually.” Torin pulls out the most important document that he has ever possessed.

It’s an emancipation paper that Chase managed to have Senator Knight rush and sign overnight. Then Chase drove fast on his Harley to get it to me in time.

“This emancipates the Idol pack from you as Head Alpha.” Torin waves the paper above his head. “If you believe that one of our other siblings will simply take over, well, you’re wrong because Sheriff Dante is just outside those doors, ready to arrest you all.”

Philomena is clutching the arms of her chair hard enough to tear the velvet.

Stapleton keeps his gun carefully trained on her.

“Please, I don’t know what you think we’ve done…” Una begins, looking up at Torin with soft eyes.

Except, I won’t be tricked again. She’s as much a predator as her brothers and sisters are.

“I know what you’ve all done.” Torin’s voice is icy. “You’ve admitted it live on air. Your tricks don’t work anymore. I could tell you why you’ve hurt me and everyone here, but why bother? I’m not the one who’ll be locked up for a long time in the center— you all are. None of you are important to me anymore, apart from Rory. On the other hand, my bonded pack, the Idols, and a future of being seen and loved is. You don’t have power over me; you’ll never have it over anybody again.”

I know that twist of the knife is the worst thing to these people.

Taking away their power is like taking away their souls. It’s the worst punishment. And exactly what they deserve.

Not only have I saved Jin and Immortal from forced bonds in my first mission, but every Idol from now on. I hope that this will make big enough news that it’ll spread around the world.

We’ve done it.

“Head Alpha, I love you.” I spring up, throwing my arms around Torin’s neck.

He lets out a surprised laugh.

Cricket and Jin jump up as well, cuddling Torin in a four way hug of wild nuzzling. Elation sings through the bond.

The young Idols giggle.

Immortal whistles.

We purr and hug and the world sees our love.

Our freedom,

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