Yes, I’d go check on her. I brushed past Lukas and walked towards the other studio. Normal people checked on each other, right? I wasn’t checking on her because she was my omega—could I call her that yet? She was my omega, though, or she would be eventually.
My heart pounded with each step I took towards the second studio. I would just peek in, make sure she was all right. If she needed my help, I’d be there to help.
What if she was crying? Did I have a tissue? The studios had tissue boxes, and I’d grab one.
Maybe she needed a hug, too. Lukas said she needed more skin contact. I could give her more if that would make her feel better.
I both loved and hated this feeling of uncertainty. I didn’t want to just be with her because she was our scent-match. I wanted to get to know her, be her friend, hang out, and have fun with her. And I wanted it all right now.
As I approached the back hallway, Isaac intercepted me.
“Where are you going?” he whispered, trying to act casual as he glanced back at me.
“I’m going to check on her,” I whispered back. “Adrienne said something to her, and now she’s back in the second studio, probably upset.”
Isaac watched the various couples on the dance floor as he replied. “Ivy seemed pretty sharp to me. She’s going to figure out you and Adrienne had a thing.”
My heart sank. Of course, she would, and I knew Adrienne would be sure to tell her.
“What should I do?” I quietly asked him.
“Tell Ivy the truth. She deserves to know what she’s getting into,” Isaac said. “We all have a past, but yours is walking around this company, still trying to win you back.”
I didn’t want to admit it, but he was right. “I will.”
“And if she hates you for it, I’ll be right here to comfort her,” Isaac smirked at me before holding the studio door open.
I flipped him off as I walked inside the room.
***
Ivy
As I worked to calm my nerves, the scent of chili chocolate and burnt caramel drawing closer caught my nose. Looking up, Preston was standing awkwardly inside the studio, watching me with a concerned look on his face.
“Hey, mind if I…” he gestured next to me.
Reluctantly, I nodded, and he settled against the ballet barre close to me.
He remained motionless beside me for a brief moment before breaking the silence. “I saw you talking to Adrienne. What did she say to you?”
“She warned me to stay away from the pack, telling me I’ll be dropped the moment you all find your omega.”
“She warned you aboutyourself?” Preston softly laughed, his fingers finding my arm and drawing circles.
I thought for a moment before admitting my stupidity. “Actually, yeah, she did, didn't she? I was so fixated on her warning, I didn’t realize what she was talking about.”
Kneeling, I ran my hands through my hair, trying to release some tension. “You two had a relationship at one point, didn’t you?”
“Briefly, but it obviously didn’t work out. I was killing time, waiting for our omega to show up, and she wanted the whole thing.” He knelt next to me. “She’s never meantanything to me, and I’m one hundred percent ready for you in my heart. I want you to know that.”
I looked over to him, surprised but also comforted by his words. “Thank you for telling me. I appreciate it.” I wasn’t sure why, but it was easier to talk to him in this moment. The intensity was gone, and in its place seemed to be vulnerability.
I flashed him a brief smile as we both heard the sound of footsteps entering the room.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I was just checking on Ivy,” Millie said, standing in the doorway of the studio. “Is everything okay?”
Preston stood up quickly. “Me too, just checking on Ivy. She’s been sick all week, so I wanted to make sure she wasn’t passed out somewhere.” He turned back to help me to my feet. The touch of his strong, gentle hand had a grounding effect for me. I guess I was touch-starved, reflecting back on Lukas’s comment.
