I sent a text to the pack, wishing them all a good night as I changed and got ready for bed. Each one of their replies made me smile.
***
Isaac
My mind raced in the passenger’s seat next to Demetrius as he drove us back to the packhouse. Ivy was so sweet tonight, and spending time with her was more fun than I had imagined her to be. I was still surprised at how well she managed both Dem and me with our strong personalities. It was like she was made specifically for us. Those words were heavy. Yes, she was our scent-match—but it was deeper than that.
“Her scent is still on me,” I murmured, lifting my jacket to my nose. “I can’t believe she let us rub up against her. I know she enjoyed it as much as we did.”
Demetrius nodded as the car stopped at a red light. “She’s getting more comfortable with us.”
“You had a lot of fun with her, too—don’t deny it,” I said to him. His mouth perked up into a smile.
“I did have fun. She’s my scent-match, why wouldn’t I?” He shrugged.
“No, it’s more than that. You like her. I like her. She’s ours. She was made for us.” Soft purring sounds came out from my chest—yes, even the thought of her pleased me. “You talked to her a lot tonight.”
“I did. She’s very calm with me, unlike when she challenges you,” Dem said. “It’s very interesting to watch her with each of us.”
“Preston’s been bragging about her licking him these past few days. He’s going to be so jealous when he learns we got to rub up against her body.” I smiled, pulling out my phone and sending Preston a text. She made me feel electric—like I could stay up for a week straight, choreographing pieces just for her.
Demetrius chuckled softly next to me, but my eyes were still on my phone. I had to know more about her. She was mine to keep.
Chapter eight
Whispers and Whimpers
Ivy
I’d finally reached Friday of what seemed like the longest week of my life. As the early morning sun shone through my window, I woke up surprised that I was wearing Demetrius’s jacket. Apparently, sometime in the middle of the night, I'd put it on before falling back asleep. A little bit of sadness washed over me as I took it off; his scent infused in this jacket made me feel stable and safe. I placed his jacket into my bag to take with me, then proceeded to prepare for the day.
This whole week, a morning routine had slowly started to form. Each morning, Demetrius escorted me from my apartment to the company building, just early enough to avoid any other staff seeing us. In the building, small run-ins and jokes with Preston, Isaac, and Lukas kept me moving, especially when a sense of craving for them emerged within me. And on the days I didn’t have a date, Preston made a delicious dinner for me to take home. The gesture was very thoughtful, especially with all his morning texts asking what foods I liked.
Between the changes to my hormones, adjusting to this new company, and hiding this secret, my energy levels were near zero. With just five minutes till the start of Friday’s morning company class, I sat stretching under the ballet barre, rolling out my sore legs and rubbing my neck. In addition to everything else, nerves were tumbling around in my stomach. I’d agreed to dance with Preston after class.
As I thought through the choreography, a few girls entered the room, whispering excitedly. They clearly had a good piece of gossip, and I felt a little guilty wanting in on the secret. I smiled curiously at Susan as she rushed over to me, dropping down and giggling.
“Have you heard? The pack has found an omega! Karen in marketing says she saw Demetrius and Isaac out with a girl from the company yesterday. They looked very intimate together, scent-marking her apparently.” She glanced around the room, scanning the dancers. “I wonder who it is.”
My smile immediately dropped as I froze, dumbfounded that very soon this secret was going to be out, just when I was finally becoming more comfortable with the Arco pack. Now, I’d have to deal with the company’s gossip on top of everything else. I gave a half-hearted shrug, letting Susan dart off to the next group.
Soon, Steven, along with the pianist and Lukas, entered the room and took their positions. Lukas gave me a big smile and wink, which still made me blush. Up in the crow’s nest,Demetrius and Isaac were watching class again—mostly me, though they tried to pretend they weren’t. Class started quickly, to my relief. I just wanted to feel normal for the next ninety minutes.
By the midpoint of class, the rumor mill had narrowed down the omega to one of the five new girls, myself included. By the end of class, I noticed many eyes watching me, some even glaring.
The last combination of jumps finished, signaling the end of class. Throughout today's combinations, so many people were scrutinizing my every step that I couldn’t produce at my top level once again. As a professional dancer, I’ve never wanted to not be watched so much in my life as I felt today. Running back to my apartment and hiding under my soft blanket began to feel like a real option.
After class, Susan walked up with her arms folded and a scowl across her face. “You’re the omega? All the new dancers were supposed to be betas.” Several people around us moved in, taking an interest in our conversation.
I shrugged apologetically, gulping down some water while I tried to mask my anxiety. “A few weeks ago, I thought I was a beta. Turns out I’m a latent omega. It was quite a shock to find out.”
“You could have said something earlier when I asked,” she sneered at me, moving her hands to her hip. A few of thedancers around us whispered to each other as I sensed more eyes and ears listening in.
“I’m sorry, this is all very new and overwhelming to me. I wasn’t ready to share this with the entire company, but it seems like that’s what’s expected of me,” I sighed.
My secret was out, and now came the part I’d been dreading. Everything I did here was going to be on display as I adjusted to being an omega. Everything with the pack, every step I took, every word I said—it all was being scrutinized to see if I was good enough. I tried so hard to keep my eyes from watering up, I wouldn’t give anyone the satisfaction.
“Pretty deceptive if you—” she began with another sneer, but was interrupted.
