Chapter 26
Chapter twenty-six
Funders
Ivy
Tech week—the week the company moved into the theater to prepare for the upcoming show—was always the highlight of the season for me.
Standing in front of a live audience and feeling the stage lights warm my body while I moved through the choreography—just the thought alone made me excited to perform.
On Monday, all the dancers loaded in their gear and relocated to the theater, finding their dressing rooms and preparing their space for the week's needs.
Not thinking twice about it, I made my way down to the large corps dressing room shared by the twelve corps girls and sat down at one of the mirror spots still available.
As I unpacked my pointe shoes, I glanced in the mirror to see half the room staring at me.
"Ivy, there's no way you're supposed to be here," Susan said, putting her hands on her hips. "You probably have one of the star dressing rooms down the hall."
I paused, staring at her as I thought through everything. The staff were still putting names on the doors, so I'd just followed a few of the girls to this room. "I hadn't even considered…"
"Preston's looking for you," Erin said as she entered the room. "Your room's down the hall."
Blushing slightly, I gathered my bags back up and threw the strap over my shoulder. Making my way out into the hallway, I found Preston knocking on a dressing room door before his eyes finally found me.
"Where did you go?" he asked, walking up to me and grabbing my hand. "Our room is this way."
"Do we get a room just for us?" I asked, following him down the hallway.
"It's technically for the whole pack, but since only you and I are performing, it’s pretty much ours.
Everyone else will swing by occasionally to use the room.
" Preston smiled back at me as he paused in front of the dressing room door closest to the stage.
With a gentle push, the door opened, revealing our space.
Surprised, I stepped into the dressing room.
This dressing room was much nicer in terms of space, larger mirrors, and updated carpet.
There was a small two-seater couch against the wall and an armoire to store our clothes in.
It was the stereotypical star dressing room one pictured famous people having.
"This is so fancy!" I said, stepping inside as I did a little spin in the middle of the room, my bag slipping off my shoulder to the ground.
Preston watched me with a smile as he entered the room and set his bag down next to one of the mirrors.
Just as I stopped spinning, a knock on the door sounded, followed by Dem entering the room.
"Everything okay here? Need anything?" he asked, looking over at me as I picked up my bag and set it down by Preston's.
"Nope, all good," Preston shook his head.
I beamed at Dem, who chuckled back at me, watching me quickly shake my head no.
"Ivy, I'm sorry if this sounds paranoid, but please stay with a pack mate at all times," Dem said. "There's this small panic in my chest when I can't see you, and I just want to make sure you're safe."
I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, snuggling into his arms. "I promise I'll stay by a mate's side. You don't have to worry about me."
He kissed my forehead as his hands embraced me. "Thank you," he whispered, a noticeable bit of tension easing off his face. Lifting his head back up, he looked between Preston and me. "Company class first on stage, then we'll do a spacing run for the show. See you both shortly."
As soon as he left our dressing room, the day seemed to fly by; rehearsals went smoothly for Preston and I, and the rest of the production seemed to be ready to go. It was only the first day in the theater—there were some technical issues, but nothing to throw any of us off.
Tuesday moved just as quickly. During the day, the production rehearsals in the theater continued to go smoothly once again, and before long, the day’s rehearsals were over. It being Tuesday, our first funder's show was scheduled for this evening.
At the end of the day, Preston and I lingered in our dressing room, preparing for this first debut. We had less than thirty minutes, which was spent mostly goofing around, though with each passing minute, I felt less and less like laughing.
The whole time in the dressing room, I felt extremely nervous.
This was my first performance with Arco, with Preston, and it was to announce our omega partnership.
Funds would hopefully be secured, donations asked for, plans for major productions…
all of it depended on Preston and me being able to produce at this elite scent-matched level.
Everyone said our performances were stellar, but as a dancer, it was hard to ever feel good enough.
Preston could probably sense my nerves. I knew he was a trained professional at the top of his game, and he was used to this kind of pressure. His eyes followed me as I paced the dressing room back and forth, constantly stretching my arms and testing my pointe shoes.
“Hey,” he pulled my attention out of my thoughts. “I’m just as nervous as you.”
I shot him a smile. “Can you read my thoughts?”
“No, but I can sense your nerves. It’s understandable to be nervous; just use that energy onstage. Connect with me.”
I walked over and pulled him into a big hug, helping to alleviate some of the pressure I felt inside. Breathing in his calming sense, my body and mind grounded itself as the nerves settled a bit.
Resting my forehead against his, I took in one last breath before a knock on the door cut through the quiet.
“Are you both ready?” Dem called out from the other side.
Preston and I locked eyes and answered together. “Yes.”
***
Demetrius
I gazed over the small gathering of people seated in the audience, all chatting away with excitement over what I was about to announce.
I felt a nervous energy running through my veins, and I could sense Ivy’s nerves as well. There was a lot of pressure on both her and Preston to perform well tonight. My heart weighed heavily with what I was asking of her.
She was a professional, and this was her job, I reminded myself.
Isaac and Lukas gave me the ready-to-go gesture, signaling that everyone was ready. Letting out a large exhale, I took my spot onstage and turned to our group of roughly four dozen potential funders.
“Good evening, everyone. Thank you for being here tonight.
I recognize many of you as friends of the ballet, but in case you are new, my name is Demetrius Ivan, and I am the Artistic Director of Arco Ballet Company.
It means a great deal to us to share this preview with such a close circle of supporters, many of whom have believed in Arco since the very beginning.
“Some of you may have heard the rumors, while others may have speculated. Either way, tonight confirms what you've all been wondering. The rumors are true.
“It’s my privilege to formally introduce Ivy Turin and Preston Maleric as Arco Ballet’s confirmed scent-matched omega dance pairing. This is a rare match, one we’ve not seen in the professional world in nearly a decade.
“Their connection is real, instinctual, and it creates something onstage that’s nearly impossible to replicate: total trust, heightened emotional instinct, and unparalleled timing.
What you’ll see tonight is not just choreography.
It’s a living expression of biology and artistry working in tandem—something deeply moving, and, quite frankly, historic.
“Let’s begin with their first duet—a piece that captures the spark and quick essence of a couple who celebrate their partnership.”
Whispers rolled through the small gathering as I stepped back and waited. The lights dimmed, and the music boomed in the theater. Right on cue, Preston led Ivy onstage to perform their duet from this weekend’s upcoming performance.
Each time I watched Ivy and Preston rehearse this piece, their execution sharpened and evolved, growing stronger as their trust in each other continued to develop. Tonight was no exception. I could see the level at which they synced together to whip out so many turns.
I was holding my breath with excitement for what I was seeing, and I already knew the choreography. I glanced over to the rows of funders, all seated at the edge of their seats, some in an amazed state, ready to applaud.
Ivy’s pirouettes whipped like nothing else as Preston grabbed her waist and guided her through the air so effortlessly. The last diagonal sequence started now; there were the intricate hand passes between them, the last turn, and lastly, the final pull down to Preston’s knee. Done.
Half of the funders jumped out of their seats at the energy Preston and Ivy just delivered, all giving them a big applause.
“Absolutely wonderful!” Lily Mayhew exclaimed, cheering them on.
Preston and Ivy gave a small bow before returning backstage to change.
“Pretty impressive, no?” I walked back to the stage to re-engage the funders.
“We’re going to give them a minute to change and catch their breath.
What you just saw was a sneak peek from this weekend’s performance.
Ivy and Preston will be performing the handler’s duet from Act One of Moonlight Whispers for all six shows.
“You can already sense the chemistry between these two—how much of the story is told in their breath and body language. That kind of connection cannot be choreographed—it’s lived, and it’s what we’re building this new era of Arco Ballet around.
“However, it’s not just the partnership we’re celebrating either. Both of these dancers are outstanding artists in their own right.
“First, we’ll shift focus to Preston, whose leadership onstage has shaped the heartbeat of Arco since its inception. This solo showcases his depth, his grace, and his ability to carry emotional weight with power and restraint.”