Still, she’d be difficult to ignore.
***
Lukas
There was something different about this girl. Every time she moved, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Almost all my pictures were of her—Dem was going to be pissed.
It was her turn again. I positioned my camera to lock onto her movements. She had beautiful lines, a high extension, and the kind of curved feet any dancer would be envious of. She was really pretty, too. Dem usually talked me out of dating company girls, but damn…this girl caught my attention.
She was growing more bashful as I watched her—I tried not to care. I mean, I did care; I wanted her to be comfortable, not like I was creeping on her.
God, what was wrong with me today? I stretched my neck and reminded myself to focus. Get a grip. I couldn’t let a pretty face and nice features distract me from getting shots of all the new dancers.
She prepared for her next pass from the right side of the room. I steadied my camera, aiming my lens right at her. Clearly, I had no self-control.
***
Demetrius
Irritation had me in a stranglehold today, but I tried to mask it as I stared down into the second studio, watching Preston practice. Isaac was supposed to join me, but he wasin another one of his moods. His absence pissed me off even more—I hated being alone in my office with any female dancer.
We were just another company statistic, another alpha company that closes without an omega.
That fear crawled through my mind, looping on repeat. All four of us wanted to find an omega—but not just anyone—it had to be our scent-match.
With every audition I went to during the off-season, I grew more and more disillusioned at just how impossible this task was.
Sighing, I shifted my focus over to the main studio; one of the new girls was working on her jumps. An assistant walked up to her, probably telling her I was ready to meet her. She quickly walked out of the room.
Every season, I made a habit of getting to know all the new dancers on the first day, and she’d be the last one. After this, I’d leave for the packhouse since there were no rehearsals today.
A soft knock on the door let me know she’d arrived.
“Come in,” I barked, a little bit more aggressively than I wanted to be.
Quickly, the new dancer opened the door and paused right inside my office. She sniffed the air subtly, and her mouth slightly parted. Her eyes narrowed as she seemed to be scanning my desk for something. What was she looking for?
“Please, have a seat…Ivy Turin, is it?” I gestured to the chair in front of my desk.
“Thank you, sir. Yes, Ivy is correct.” She smiled nervously as she sat quickly in the chair.
“Welcome to Arco Ballet Company. As I’m sure you know, I’m Demetrius Ivan, Artistic Director. I remember your video audition—impressive work.” I took my seat behind my desk as I reached for her bio.
Ivy continued to smile nervously, adjusting in her seat. “Thank you, I’m very excited to be dancing for a bigger company, and Arco Ballet has a great reputation for treating dancers well.”
My heart skipped a beat at her compliment as I glanced at her face. She had a pretty smile.
No…that thought was dangerous, and I pushed it quickly from my mind. I absolutely would not get involved with a company dancer.
Furrowing my brow, I cleared my throat. “I’m really glad to hear about our reputation. We try to create a pleasant atmosphere despite ballet's competitive nature.” I glanced down at her bio before I continued. “I happened to catch your performance last year while I was in California…Twisted River. Very stellar show, especially in featuring your flexibility.”
“Thank you!” she beamed. Her face turned bright red. “I had a lot of fun performing that piece.” Sweat was collectingacross her forehead. She seemed really nervous; how cute. Normally, a girl acting this nervous would annoy me. Did she need a tissue to dab her forehead?
The room did seem warmer…No, it wasn’t that…something felt off.
I cleared my throat again. “I…uh…we’ll have plenty of work for you this season, and we’ll make great use of your flexibility.”
“That sounds wonderful.” She excitedly smiled as she fanned her face with her hand. “I’m sorry, I just finished class, and apparently I’m still running hot.”
