Page 77 of Bliss & Her Idols

Despite my aching limbs, I force myself to take in as many details and clues as I can.

There are no electronic devices, not even a phone.

It appears that Jin truly doesn’t have access to them, which is why there are so many papers scattered across the room.

Are all creatives this much of a hot mess?

“Did you make the nest?” I ask.

Cricket’s smile wavers. “Is it okay? I wanted to do something special for our first heat together. But this is all we had. Tor and Jin did their best too. Honestly, they were as clueless as me. But they were dedicated and enthusiastic.”

Cricket nudges the sides of the nest, and I realize with shock that they’re shimmering blue because they’re made out of Jin’s elaborate costume, including his diaphanous coat.

My heart leaps.

Is Jin truly sacrificing his precious costume simply to make me a nest?

Jin’s kiss was amazing. He begged to become part of my family with Cricket.

My Beta.

Yet only now that he’s following through on the actions of a real Beta — protecting me in the arena and building me this nest — does it feel more than an impossible dream.

Do I truly have a chance with these incredible men, who are prepared to risk as much as I am?

“I’ll ruin Jin’s beautiful clothes. Our Ice Dragon does know how much slick an Omega produces during their heat, right?” I struggle to hold onto my thought, although it’s growing harder as my full-blown heat draws closer. “Do these men really intend to spend my heat with me?”

Cricket cocks his head. “Why wouldn’t they?”

A million reasons.

I’m thirty, a Rej, and not an elite.

Jin is also a celebrity who will be risking everything if he spends tonight with me.

What the hell will the Idol pack do in revenge for such a shameful break from Jin’s public image?

Their PR department must be in serious crisis mode.

And Tor?

Now, he’s a mystery.

Why should he help a stranger out? Even if he does smell dangerously as if he’s my scent match.

I shut the thought down hard.

In thirty years, I’ve never met my scent match. I don’t believe that I will now.

Yet no one has built me a nest before. Heats have always been functional and nothing more.

Yet this sensation of being cared for and having a nest built for me is settling something in my inner Omega that I didn’t know was there.

It makes me feel valued,loved.

When I try to push myself to my elbows, Cricket hurries to shove a pillow behind me to prop me up.

My pheromones are strong. I’m close to tipping into full heat.

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