“Done, I’ll find someone for you. Just let me be one of the first…”
“I think that can be arranged,” I said as we shook hands.
“Always good talking with you, Demetrius,” Evan flashed a satisfied smile. Speaking softly, he added. “Also, congratulations. She’s beautiful.”
“She sure is. We’ll be in touch soon,” I replied to Evan before we parted ways.
Just like that, the night had already proven to be extremely successful. But between Lily’s subtle warning and Evan’s eager pitch, we were running out of time to keep this quiet.
***
Driving in the car on the way home, I continued to glance through the rearview mirror at Preston and Ivy, who alternated between kissing and laughing in the back seat.
I’d let her get close to everyone else, but after watching her all night with Preston, my patience was gone. I needed her badly. Did she feel this same pull I did?
Maybe I’d kiss her when I dropped her off at her door.
I pulled up to her apartment complex, but Preston jumped out of the car so fast I didn’t even have time to turn the car off.
“I’ll be back,” he practically shouted at me as he led her into her apartment building.
I exhaled loudly. Not tonight.
Chapter fifteen
Simmer Until Ready
Demetrius
The crow’s nest was specifically built not only to watch over the two main studio rooms, but also to establish the leader of the company from a symbolic point. I stood in the crow’s nest, looking down at the dancers rehearsing in the two studios below. In the first studio, the principals were practicing the Act Two adagio for the latest production. It was going fine, but it certainly didn’t hold my attention.
That was because in the next studio, Isaac was rehearsing with Ivy and Preston. I only saw little glimpses of this piece in between my work, but what I’d seen so far was exquisite. Apart from being our scent-match, Ivy was a gifted dancer, and none of our relationships could have given her the talent and skillset she'd developed through her years of training.
Isaac was having them try a new lift—a press lift above Preston’s head held up with one hand on Ivy’s back. The movement made a nice line with Ivy’s leg wrapped around Preston’s arm. I could get lost just watching them work together, but a sharp slam of my door pulled my attention.
“Demetrius, this recast is completely unfair,” Adrienne shouted as she barged into my office. “I was promised a first cast performance this season, and now I’m stuck with a second-rate partner. Give me Preston back, please.”
I sat down and leaned back in my chair as I listened to Adrienne complain. “I’ve never promised anyone anything concerning casting, and you know that. I’m doing what’s best for the whole company here, including Preston and Ivy.”
“Look, Max is a fine dancer, and in any other circumstance, I’d say, great, let’s dance together. But I need a better partner than him for our first production.”
“You’re being dramatic, Adrienne, and I’m not recasting Preston to dance with you. He’ll never be paired with you again, and I hope you can understand why.” I’d grown used to Adrienne’s whining; it was part of my job to soothe her ego, but something about her complaint today was really getting under my skin. She was trying to disrupt my pack harmony, and I wouldn’t have it.
“It’s because of little Miss Omega, isn’t it? He can’t even stand to touch me anymore?” she scoffed, swatting her hands around in disbelief.
“No, he can’t touch you. It’s too much strain on the pack unity, which is fragile and growing right now,” I replied with a scowl, standing up from my chair. It greatly irked me that she referred to Ivy like that.
Adrienne walked around my desk and reached for my hand, but I pulled away quickly. “I don’t want to touch you either. I’m also her packmate in case you’d forgotten.”
“Oh my god, that little twat has you all wrapped around her…”
“Adrienne!” I shouted as a surge of anger hit me. Taking a deep breath, I refocused myself and calmed down. “I strongly suggest you don’t continue to speak ill of my mate.”
Her eyes grew wide as she shook her head, backing away toward the door. “She’ll ruin this company. She’s turning all of you into lovesick fools. You’ll see—this bond will destroy everything this company’s built.”
I shook my head with a smile. “Actually, I believe she’s going to save it.” I gestured to the door. “You may go now, your complaints have been heard.”
As soon as she left my office, I sat down at my desk, frustration rising in my chest. Adrienne had to go after this season. I wouldn’t allow anyone to speak ill of my mate.
