“Oh! Are you like an expert now?” He jokingly asked.
“Definitely not, but it’s been nice to have a point of reference for what I’m experiencing, which apparently I should have gone through like ten years ago,” I said with a laugh, slightly embarrassed.
“You just wanted to skip puberty while the rest of us suffered,” Preston teased as he leaned a little closer to look at my screen. “So what are you reading about right now?”
I blushed a tad. So much of the reading was about sexual relations with a pack. None of that would be an appropriatehallway conversation at work. I skimmed back to an earlier chapter.
“This section was really cool. It talked about some unique side effects of the pack bonding,” I said, showing him a picture from my screen. “Apparently, the stronger the scent-match within a pack, the more unique and interesting effects the pack experiences."
“Whoa, that’s cool. I’d known most bonded packs sensed each other’s emotions, but what else is there?” he asked, scooting a little closer to me.
“Well, one pack could explore each other’s dreams at night,” I said, pointing to a part in the chapter.
“Holy shit, really?” he gasped. “That would be weird.”
“Yeah, and this pack could share each other’s pain. That would be hard for us as dancers,” I said.
His brows furrowed as he replied. “That would be difficult, though I guess we’d know when one of us was overdoing it.”
“That’s true,” I said. “These are like superpowers almost. I wonder what we’ll…” I trailed off. Was I presuming too much here? None of us had talked about bonding, and maybe this whole pack thing wouldn’t work out for me. I shook my head as I scrolled through the pages.
“We'd totally have a superpower. Our scent-match is so strong,” Preston said, leaning in a little closer to me. His enthusiasm was certainly contagious.
Preston turned his head, glancing up and down the hallway before looking back at me.
“Ivy, do you mind if I…” Before I could question him, he brushed his cheek against mine.
I giggled slightly at the contact. “Scent-marking me? I thought you’d had your fill yesterday when I slobbered all over your neck.”
“Unfortunately, the three jerks I call packmates made me shower this morning,” Preston said, touching his neck. “But if you’d like to reapply your scent, I’ll gladly comply and sit still for you.”
The sound of laughter down the hall forced Preston and me to separate, much to my disappointment. Adrienne and one of the soloists, Nerissa, were joking with each other as they slowly walked towards us.
“Hey Preston!” Adrienne called out before her eyes landed on me. “Oh, and what was your name again?”
My stomach knotted as I cleared my throat, forcing a reply. “Ivy.”
“Right, Ivy…” Adrienne turned her attention back to Preston. “We’re taking five, then you’ll need to be in the second studio with Isaac for your solo.”
Adrienne sat down next to Preston and leaned across him, looking at me. “Have you and Lukas gone out on a date yet?”
My heart paused in my chest. “I…what? Why would you ask that?” I stammered. Did she see the three of us last night at the diner?
Adrienne turned towards Preston, resting her hand on his knee. “Ivy and Lukas were really cute together at the Sunday party, dancing and such. I’m pretty sure they have a thing for each other.”
My eyes traveled to where her hand touched Preston. With my fists clenched by my side, it took all my power not to swat her hand away, screaming.
As if reading my discomfort, Preston shot up off the floor, knocking Adrienne’s hand away. “Who wouldn’t like Lukas? He’s the sexiest pack member.”
“Are you bi now?” Adrienne laughed.
“Got to stay warm at night somehow,” he awkwardly joked. I could sense his discomfort being near Adrienne, which, surprisingly, made me feel more secure. He glanced between her and me. “Anyways, off to rehearsals. Thanks for the cat videos, Ivy.”
“Anytime,” I said as he took off down the hallway.
Adrienne watched him walk away before turning her attention back to me. “Don’t mistake Preston’s nice guy routine for affection. He’s nice to everyone. And I was wrong on Sunday—you and Lukas would be cute together.” Adrienne stood and beckoned Nerissa to follow as they walked down the hallway, back to the studio.
My body was extremely agitated, and the only reason why I could think of was her touching Preston. That wasn't very fair of me. I couldn't be possessive of him like that. Preston and Adrienne had been dancing together for years before I showed up, and they'd most likely continue to do so. I couldn't expect him not to dance with other girls, so I was going to need to find a way to accept this situation.
