Chapter 8
Chapter eight
Whispers and Whimpers
Ivy
I’d finally reached Friday of what seemed like the longest week of my life.
As the early morning sun shone through my window, I woke up surprised that I was wearing Demetrius’s jacket.
Apparently, sometime in the middle of the night, I'd put it on before falling back asleep.
A little bit of sadness washed over me as I took it off; his scent infused in this jacket made me feel stable and safe.
I placed his jacket into my bag to take with me, then proceeded to prepare for the day.
This whole week, a morning routine had slowly started to form.
Each morning, Demetrius escorted me from my apartment to the company building, just early enough to avoid any other staff seeing us.
In the building, small run-ins and jokes with Preston, Isaac, and Lukas kept me moving, especially when a sense of craving for them emerged within me.
And on the days I didn’t have a date, Preston made a delicious dinner for me to take home.
The gesture was very thoughtful, especially with all his morning texts asking what foods I liked.
Between the changes to my hormones, adjusting to this new company, and hiding this secret, my energy levels were near zero.
With just five minutes till the start of Friday’s morning company class, I sat stretching under the ballet barre, rolling out my sore legs and rubbing my neck.
In addition to everything else, nerves were tumbling around in my stomach.
I’d agreed to dance with Preston after class.
As I thought through the choreography, a few girls entered the room, whispering excitedly. They clearly had a good piece of gossip, and I felt a little guilty wanting in on the secret. I smiled curiously at Susan as she rushed over to me, dropping down and giggling.
“Have you heard? The pack has found an omega! Karen in marketing says she saw Demetrius and Isaac out with a girl from the company yesterday. They looked very intimate together, scent-marking her apparently.” She glanced around the room, scanning the dancers. “I wonder who it is.”
My smile immediately dropped as I froze, dumbfounded that very soon this secret was going to be out, just when I was finally becoming more comfortable with the Arco pack.
Now, I’d have to deal with the company’s gossip on top of everything else.
I gave a half-hearted shrug, letting Susan dart off to the next group.
Soon, Steven, along with the pianist and Lukas, entered the room and took their positions.
Lukas gave me a big smile and wink, which still made me blush.
Up in the crow’s nest, Demetrius and Isaac were watching class again—mostly me, though they tried to pretend they weren’t.
Class started quickly, to my relief. I just wanted to feel normal for the next ninety minutes.
By the midpoint of class, the rumor mill had narrowed down the omega to one of the five new girls, myself included. By the end of class, I noticed many eyes watching me, some even glaring.
The last combination of jumps finished, signaling the end of class.
Throughout today's combinations, so many people were scrutinizing my every step that I couldn’t produce at my top level once again.
As a professional dancer, I’ve never wanted to not be watched so much in my life as I felt today.
Running back to my apartment and hiding under my soft blanket began to feel like a real option.
After class, Susan walked up with her arms folded and a scowl across her face. “You’re the omega? All the new dancers were supposed to be betas.” Several people around us moved in, taking an interest in our conversation.
I shrugged apologetically, gulping down some water while I tried to mask my anxiety. “A few weeks ago, I thought I was a beta. Turns out I’m a latent omega. It was quite a shock to find out.”
“You could have said something earlier when I asked,” she sneered at me, moving her hands to her hip. A few of the dancers around us whispered to each other as I sensed more eyes and ears listening in.
“I’m sorry, this is all very new and overwhelming to me. I wasn’t ready to share this with the entire company, but it seems like that’s what’s expected of me,” I sighed.
My secret was out, and now came the part I’d been dreading.
Everything I did here was going to be on display as I adjusted to being an omega.
Everything with the pack, every step I took, every word I said—it all was being scrutinized to see if I was good enough.
I tried so hard to keep my eyes from watering up, I wouldn’t give anyone the satisfaction.
“Pretty deceptive if you—” she began with another sneer, but was interrupted.
“Excuse me, ladies,” Lukas darted between Susan and me, grabbing my hand. “I need Ivy in the next room.” He picked up my bag and led me down the hall, away from the rest of the company.
I exhaled in relief at the intervention. “Thank you, Lukas, I really didn’t want to have that conversation.”
“Told you we’d come to the rescue. Dem’s going to have to make a speech now that the word’s out.” Lukas squeezed my hand. “Come on, Preston’s waiting for you.”
We entered the second studio to find Preston holding a plank on the floor, every ripple of muscle highlighted across his shirtless body.
I took in a small inhale, my eyes drinking in his magnificent form.
My nose strained to catch even a whiff of his scent—damn, these beta blockers were growing annoying.
As soon as Preston saw me, he stood and walked over, taking my bag from Lukas and setting it next to his. He reached into his bag for a shirt, tossing it on quickly before turning back to me.
“How was class?” he asked, those piercing green eyes of his drilling into mine. He stepped closer to me, and his hands brushed a few strands of hair off my face. I couldn’t seem to say class was terrible, so I just gave him a thumbs up, earning a half smile.
“The entire company knows she’s our omega, word's out,” Lukas said, scratching his head as he looked at Preston. “I saved her from Susan, who was about to give her a verbal lashing.”
“Damn. Sorry, Ivy.” His eyes softened before a small smile formed. “You look tense. Long week?”
I couldn’t help but smile too before taking a deep breath in and exhaling to relieve some stress.
“Come on.” He reached for my hand and led me to the center of the room. “Let’s try a few things.”
***
Preston
Standing on the side of the room, I wiped sweat off my forehead as Ivy practiced a few turns on her own.
Hope was growing in my mind; every partnering move we’d tried so far had exceeded my tempered expectations.
Her turns were smooth in my hands. The carriage of her upper body and core was exceedingly strong, and all the lifts we’d tried together felt flawless.
I kept reminding myself that anyone could do an isolated move successfully. Could she actually dance with grace while maintaining that strength? I’d yet to understand how well she interpreted music, but hopefully I’d have my answer in the next ten minutes.
I glanced over to her, and she tilted her head to me in response.
She still struggled speaking to me half the time, which was somehow very endearing.
I thought after our date on Tuesday, she’d feel more comfortable around me, but maybe that would just be our thing.
Once we eventually bonded, I’d be able to sense her emotions and needs through our connection.
We talked—mostly me—through the choreography, making sure we knew the same version of steps. Once finished, I jogged over to the music.
“You ready?” She gave me a thumbs up, forcing a smile out of me at her silence again. Cute.
I hit play on the music; a lush adagio from Le Corsaire filled the room.
This had always been one of my favorite pieces to dance as a student.
The music combined with the choreography evoked a strong sensuality between the dancers, making it the perfect duet to test not only her skills but also her performance quality.
Skipping the short male’s solo entrance, I took my place on my knees, opposite Ivy, waiting for her entrance in the music.
As soon as she stepped up onto her pointe shoes, I exhaled in satisfaction. I could tell right away she had great musicality. The way she moved her upper body, the timing of her feet, even the arch of her back showed how the music flowed through her effortlessly.
With a nervous inhale, I prepared for our hands to connect.
As soon as she touched me, lightning zapped right through my arms. I pulled her lifted leg position a little closer towards me than I would with any other partner.
She instinctively nuzzled the side of my cheek with hers before I rotated her facing away from me, supporting her in my palms as she arched back delicately against my hands.
Her spine and upper body were fluid yet strong, a perfect combination. Her movements were luxurious, and every time she touched me, more of her rosewater-white chocolate scent hit me, causing my heart to quicken.
I stood up to meet her on the other side for her to step into an attitude position where her leg was curved and lifted behind her.
Next came the pirouette; six beautiful turns spun out of her.
Yes, she was a great turner, so smooth in my hands.
We seemed to instinctively know when to stop the turn together.
Next came a lift above my head. She bent her knees and jumped, and my hands pressed her up over my head as she arched above me; she was so solid and easy to carry.
I centered my palm on her spine in one hand and removed my other hand from her waist, not something I’d usually do in just a rehearsal, but she felt so light and easy to manipulate.