Page 16 of Bliss & Her Idols

Yet I’m frightened that when Jin has such a burning screen presence and a charisma that makes fans scream and faint, I’ll open my mouth to ask him a question and nothing will come out.

My birthday wish is that the Beta who feels like mine will be freed.

At the same time, I’ll need to hold onto the painful truth that I am a thirty year old, Reject Omega who is married to only my work from an infamous, outcast pack.

I’m not deluded. Everything that I feel for Jin is only a fantasy, an intense daydream.

“Thanks, Wolf, this is an incredible present.” I peer at the tickets again, tracing over the raised gold V.I.P journalist pass lettering at the bottom.

“There are two of them.” Chase glances significantly between Piper and me. “You have a brother who is bouncing up and down next to me desperately trying to catch your eye, while pointing to his Immortal top.”

“I don’t do subtle.” Piper grins.

“Then it looks like the Wolf Siblings will be going to their first concert.” I wave the tickets.

“Yes!” Piper throws himself into my arms.

I carefully slide the precious tickets into my pocket, before nuzzling Piper.

“Aw, bring it in, cubs.” Chase wraps his arms around us both because he’s so much larger.

Piper and I purr.

Our pheromones are thicker in the air, mixing with Chase’s. Our scents are sweet with happiness.

“I have a gift too.” Piper’s voice is muffled against my neck. “You need a birthday cake, right?”

“You baked?” I try not to show the fear in my voice.

Piper is the potion master of baristas. But he’s more like the poisoner of bakers.

Chase and I exchange panicked glances.

Piper doesn’t notice but dives to a shelf underneath the counter. “Fuck, no. I don’t want you to be hugging the porcelain throne all evening on your birthday.”

I let out a huff of relief.

Piper pulls out a cake box, which is pink with the logo of the Dough Knot bakery on the top.

Chase’s expression brightens. “One of Candy’s creations.”

Piper nods, before opening the box with a flourish.

The rich, chocolate fudge cake (my favorite), has been shaped in the howling wolf design, which is inked onto each of our bodies.

“It’s beautiful.” My eyes burn with tears. I instinctively rest my hand on Piper’s shoulder over his tattoo. “I love it.”

“I’ve told you the story of the tattoo, haven’t I?” Chase looks thoughtful.

“You said that it’s the pack tradition to get it on our eighteenth birthday,” Piper replies, cautiously.

Chase paces, as if unsure how to begin. “We were once an elite pack. We follow the tradition, however, to ensure that our name isn’t wiped out like the government want because we’re rebels. We won’t wear it as a badge of shame but rather, honor. Our ancestors were Vikings. The tattoo was a way of themmarking out as theirs every member of the pack: Alpha leaders, Beta servants, and the Omegas who they kidnapped. Some packs still do that. Now, however, we’ll only ink our skin because we want to. It’s a sign of our freedom.”

Chase is rarely serious. He uses banter to protect himself.

It’s precious that he’s chosen to share this part of my heritage with me.

It’s another gift.

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