“Let’s do it,” he laughed, taking a step out.
As soon as we stepped onstage, the thunderous applause from earlier roared alive again.
As I took my position to bow, I couldn’t help but feel like this was a dream, and soon I would wake up in my bed, twelve years old, with my mom screaming for me to get ready for school.
After three bows for the house, the curtain parted for us to return. As soon as I returned behind the curtain, I broke out into a nervous laugh as my eyes swelled up with tears. There was so much lingering tension and anxiety in my body that it just poured out of me. I glanced around at the many faces that were staring at me, looking for my reaction. Standing next to Dem was Isaac and Lukas, who were quickly approaching me.
“Come here, love,” Isaac said as he pulled me away from Preston and into his arms. “Come cry into someone whose clothes can be ruined.”
I let out another laugh as Isaac held me tightly. I could sense most of the company standing around as I melted into Isaac’s arms. I caught Lukas’s scent next as two more arms joined in the hug, holding me tight.
“You were so good, Ivy,” Lukas whispered to me. “You deserve every bit of this, and I hope you find a way to enjoy it.”
I lifted my head and nodded at him before softly smiling at Isaac.
I looked around at everyone who was watching and smiled. “I’m sorry, I’m fine. I don’t know if you all know this, but it’s been a hell of a month for me.”
My pack and all the dancers still lingering around broke out into laughs. The tension was slowly leaving my body as I took a tissue from Dem and wiped the tears away.
“Great show tonight, everyone,” Dem said to the company. “Go get some rest, and I’ll see you back for the evening show.”
One show down, five more to go. My name and face were out there as the next omega dancer, even if we hadn’t officially announced anything yet. The thought both terrified yet excited me as I walked off the stage with my pack.
***
Both Friday shows were a big hit, with Preston and me taking additional bows to a thunderous applause at the end of the matinee and evening performances. After eating a late dinner, we all sat on the couch at home, tired but happy, listening to a very excited Lukas provide a recap to my parents.
“Ivy, you should have seen the look on your face when Preston kissed you at the end!” Lukas laughed as he sat next to me on the couch. His hand went straight to my thigh before slowly peeling it off. He was trying so hard to be good, and it only made me want him more. I softly laughed at his restraint and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek.
“I’m so excited to see the show tomorrow!” Jonah gushed as she listened to more stories of the day. “I always knew Ivy would make it as a professional, but this…”
“Reviews are already coming in,” Lukas said, eyes glued to his phone. “This is from the Arbonkale Gazette—‘Theaudience reaction to Ivy and Preston was unlike anything else we’ve seen. Whether Arco Ballet confirms its omega couple or not, it’s clear they’re building something bigger with this duo. A new era of Ballet, maybe?’”
For the next ten minutes, Lukas read all the glowing reviews coming in about the production and our duet. Eventually, Isaac and Preston turned in, followed by my parents. Lukas finally set his phone down and said goodnight, leaving only Dem behind—softly smiling at me with a look of quiet satisfaction.
I walked over to join him and sat on his lap, nuzzling his neck. “Congratulations, Mr. Director. Your shows seem to be a hit so far.”
“One hundred percent thanks to you,” he softly spoke to me. I shook my head as I pressed a few kisses to his neck. When I glanced back up at him, his brows furrowed a bit as he looked at me. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine,” I shrugged before adding. “Tired, of course. I’ve felt a little tense and hot all night. Why?”
He leaned forward and sniffed me. “You smell slightly sweeter than usual. Nothing wrong, I just noticed this when we were in the car earlier.”
“Oh, maybe from the high of the shows?” I asked, indulging in his scent a little more than I should.
He tilted his head slightly—something unreadable flickered in his gaze.
“Maybe,” he said, though his grip tightened slightly on my hips. “You were beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you.” I stood up and stretched a bit. “Today will definitely live long in my memory.”
***
Demetrius
“Ivy’s next,” I whispered to Jonah. I sat in the audience with Jonah and Justin Turin, watching the first half of the Saturday matinee show. By now, I’d seen this duet several dozen times, but it always had me on the edge of my seat. I still felt an eager anticipation of getting to watch them again, despite knowing what was coming next. The thought of having a whole show with them as the stars really excited me.
The duet music kicked off as Ivy and Preston ran out to the center of the stage, holding hands. Excited murmurs rippled through the audience as they entered; the press reviews were starting to really work up the hype in our favor.
