Millie approached us. “Very well. Do you want me to give you two a moment?”
“No, I should probably go.” Preston motioned to the door but didn’t move. Instead, he looked at me questioningly, as if wondering if I still needed him.
“Thank you for checking on me, I’m fine,” I said, sharing a brief smile with him. He silently mouthedokay, then slowly left the studio, briefly looking back once more before exiting.
Millie watched him leave, then fixated her gaze on me. “You seem to have gotten to know Preston very well pretty quickly.” She walked over, standing next to me. “You know, I’ve known this pack since their Twin Stellar days, before this company was even formed…”
I dropped my gaze to the floor, shuffling my feet around awkwardly, unsure whether I should trust anyone else with my secret.
“I won’t tell a soul, but it might be nice to have a friend with whatever's going on here,” she added.
“Millie, I wasn’t even aware I was an omega when I got here. I'd been classified as a beta since I was ten,” I blurted out.
“I knew it!” A look of pleased confirmation took over Millie’s expression. “Are you their scent-match?”
“Yes. Last Monday, both Demetrius and I realized…it’s just that the whole thing is so much to take in. Honestly, it feels good to tell someone.” I looked over to her, curiously. “How did you figure it out?”
“Well, Preston, Isaac, and Lukas all seemed very interested in touching and talking with you. Lukas stole you away to dance with him. Demetrius couldn’t keep his eyes off you from his corner. Adrienne could sense that you and Lukas liked each other, then Preston came in here to check on you.” Millie ticked each point off her finger. “I’d neverseen so many people so invested in a new company dancer this much before.”
I laughed. “We’re not very good actors, are we?”
“Well, maybe I noticed because I was watching for something.” She looked at me and smiled. “Consider me your confidante and supporter. What would you like to do? Rejoin the party? Head home?”
“I should rejoin and try to pull myself together.” I stretched my neck and jumped around a bit, trying to get re-energized. “Let’s go.”
Chapter five
Why Licking?
Ivy
Monday marked the start of a fresh new week, and I was back dancing in the building. Last week was a blur with my hormones running wild, but as of this morning, my body finally felt back to normal—sorta. My head was spinning from everything, but I was just happy to be moving again.
Class was…not the best by my normal standards, but decent overall. Everywhere I looked, a different member of the Arco pack was watching me, analyzing my skills, and trying to assess me further.
Isaac observed in the studio, throwing my nerves into overdrive each time his gaze fixated on me. Demetrius tried to be discreet up in the crow’s nest, but our eyes kept finding each other every time I looked toward his office. Preston was the most obvious, watching from the studio next to the main one. At least Lukas had a camera in front of his face when he sat in the corner, taking pictures.
I sighed as class ended, my mind dwelling on what they must think of me. Should I apologize for dancing subpar today? What if there was disappointment that I was theiromega dancer? This pack wanted a superstar. Did they think I could be that girl? I tried to push these thoughts out of my head and focus on the day’s schedule, but it was proving hard to do.
While I was out last week, the cast list for parts had been posted for the first show, and a few rehearsals had started. I’d been cast in the corps, dancing in the group pieces—no surprise there, as that’s what I was hired to do.
Today’s first rehearsal went well, and I was able to pick up the choreography I’d missed quickly. By the end of the rehearsal, I’d learned all that I needed to know, which helped to remember that I was still a decent dancer.
After the morning set of rehearsals, all the dancers moved to the dancers’ lounge to eat and hang out. Sitting in the lounge with the rest of the company, I felt a sense of acceptance that I was starting to make new friends. Susan was a bit of a gossip, but had been nice to me. Tracy and Erica, part of Susan's gossip group, were nice too. Together, the three of them led the corps dancers in both experience and scandalous tidbits. Then, of course, there was Millie who’d been such a godsend. She’d helped me catch up on the choreography, and I was grateful she’d become my confidante concerning the pack.
As corps dancers, we all tended to gravitate together as we spent the bulk of the day together in rehearsals. It was a relief that they were accepting me already.
As I sat in the dancer lounge, eating lunch, my phone buzzed next to me.
Dinner with Lukas and me tonight? Isaac and Dem need to work late. -Preston
My face flushed as my heart beat quicker. I tried my best to look relaxed as I quickly typed back a reply.
Sounds like fun! What should I bring, wear, and when/where should I meet you two? -Ivy
I glanced over to Millie, who lifted a curious eyebrow at me. I mouthed to herdate.She gave me a small thumbs up as my phone buzzed again with two messages.
Bring your pretty self, wear nothing, meet us at your place…-Lukas
