I paused, staring at her as I thought through everything. The staff were still putting names on the doors, so I'd justfollowed 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 thedressing 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
