Isaac’s new duet was the last rehearsal scheduled for me. I’d worked with many choreographers before, but his approach to movement was dynamic, utilizing not only his own movement style, but also by watching me and adjusting to what worked best for my personal style.
The first part of the rehearsal was just me and Isaac as Preston was taking new headshots upstairs. Isaac explainedhis vision for the piece and the kind of performance quality he hoped to see.
The piece was a passionate, contemporary duet. There was no storyline. Instead, the theme centered around sensuality and dominance…so very Isaac, and incredibly arousing to dance. I had to really stay focused on the movements and limit how much sensuality I poured into the piece, which seemed to frustrate Isaac. I understood he wanted me to go all out with my emotions, but I was walking a fine line between having and losing control of my desires with Isaac’s scent all around me.
After about thirty minutes, Preston finished his photoshoot and arrived back in the studio, ready to join us. On his arrival, the tension in the room jacked up to a ten as Isaac filled Preston in on what we’d learned so far.
I could see Preston’s eyes grow larger with each new bit of choreography Isaac gave us. One moment, our chests were pressed together while Isaac wanted my leg wrapped around Preston’s back. The next set of steps had Preston flat against the floor while I lay on top of him, arching my back and legs up while my pelvis pressed against his. I’m a professional dancer, so I’ve had to fake emotions before, but this wasn’t faking with Preston. Our feelings were still new and growing; we’d just started kissing this past Sunday. I wanted to go further, but I felt very exposed.
Preston grasped the steps quickly, but just like me, he struggled to push further emotionally with what Isaac demanded. Preston and I knew what was needed for this piece, but our emotions weren’t quite ready yet.
We finished the rehearsal, all slightly frustrated but also inspired by Isaac’s vision. We’d get there.
After Isaac’s rehearsal, Preston and I ate a late lunch in Demetrius’s office while we waited for the rest of the pack to be done for the day. Isaac was running another rehearsal for a few outreach projects. Lukas was taking headshots of the rest of the new dancers. Demetrius alternated between working in his office and checking in on rehearsals.
“Favorite ballet?” Preston asked, his arm wrapped around my shoulders. He pressed a small kiss to my temple.
“I have several—Le Corsaire,Don Quixote,A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” I replied as I nuzzled my cheek against his. I was starting to get the hang of this scent-marking; my body craved more and more of having my pack’s scent on me.
“Oh, the Dream’s a good one. Did you know Oberon was one of Dem’s key roles as a Principal dancer? Lukas also danced Puck very well. They were frequently cast together.”
“I can see both of them owning those roles. It would be amazing to dance Titania opposite Dem.”
“What aboutRomeo and JulietorSwan Lake?” Preston asked as he leaned over to inhale my hair.
“For both of those, I love the female character roles and choreography. Hate the stories.” I gave a thumbs down to them. “They’re the ballets I’d love to perform but never want to watch again.”
“That makes sense. That’s me andGiselle. Albrecht is such a tool,” Preston said as he gently massaged my shoulder with his arm around me. “By the way, Lukas said to tell you he and I made out at the end of my photo shoot. What’s that all about?”
I laughed, rolling my eyes as I shook my head softly. “Got you too, did he?”
“What…oh,” Preston smirked, pulling me tighter into his chest. “That jerk…”
Soon, Lukas joined us, followed by Isaac and Demetrius once all the rehearsals had finished for the day.
Demetrius clapped his hands and gestured to all of us. “Are we ready to go shopping? I figured we could all use new suits, so we’re all going. I’ve reserved a private boutique downtown. The owner's a patron of the company and happy to do me a favor.”
Once out of the building, we piled into the pack SUV with Demetrius driving, me sitting in the passenger’s seat, and Lukas, Preston, and Isaac fitting into the back row. It was impossible not to love being with my pack. Our time spent together fulfilled something deep inside me. Even when theywere arguing, I was drawn to balance them out—mediating, picking a side, or even just laughing at their nonsense.
We arrived at the boutique right on time. The entire store was reserved just for us for the next two hours, which felt very extravagant.
“Welcome, Demetrius,” the boutique owner opened the door to let us in.
The inside resembled an elegant bridal shop, except with many more options available. There were racks filled with various styles of dresses, all beautiful and all featuring the latest fashions. Across from the dresses were a handful of elegant suits as well. There was a viewing area toward the back of the shop with dressing rooms around the corner. The shop wasn’t large by any means, but it had a very exclusive and catered vibe to it.
“Well, I see we have the entire Arco pack here today…and who is this?” the owner asked as she turned to me.
“This is Ivy Turin,” Demetrius introduced me, standing behind me as he rested his hands on my shoulders. I would have hated that in public previously, but his hands radiated a calming warmth throughout my shoulders. “Ivy, this is Lily Mayhew, a long-time patron of Arco Ballet Company and owner of this boutique. Lily, thank you for helping us today.”
Lily’s eyes darted between the pack and me as a grin started to form on her face. “Is Ivy a new dancer in the company this year?”
“That’s right,” Demetrius answered, grasping my shoulders a bit firmer.
“And you’re all here helping her pick out a dress?” She continued to smile, trying not to ask outright if I was the pack’s omega. “Is there anything I should know?”
“All four of us need new suits as well,” Demetrius said as his hands softly rubbed along my shoulders. “With regards to Ivy, nothing formal has been announced, so we’d appreciate some discretion with her being here today. I’ll be sure you get great tickets to anything that might be announced soon.”
“Oh wow! This is huge!” She beamed at me before working to regain her composure. Gesturing to all the racks around the storefront, she added, “I am your girl for discretion! Let’s find you all some clothes!”
