“Christian’s other ‘girlfriend’,” she said with air quotes. “I did the rock, but I had nothing to do with the glass. Susan probably didn’t know about either, so don’t punish her. All of the dancers have been jealous of Ivy—that could’ve been any one of us stepping out of the corps to dance with Preston. Sometimes our conversations were a bit heated, and Erika being an idiot…”
She slowly stood, stretching out her back before looking back at Dem. “Would you prefer my notice now or after next week’s shows?”
“Now,” Dem said. His eyes looked so cold, but I knew he had to feel some sort of relief getting closer to the truth. “Don’t tell Erika about our conversation.”
“I won’t,” she said. “That bitch just cost me my job.”
***
Ivy
The last of the rehearsals was finishing up as I wiped sweat off my brow, practicing turns in the second studio. Preston was lounging on the floor by the barres, reading a book, and if we weren’t in public, I would have gladly pounced on top of him, claiming his lips.
“How’s this turn look?” I asked, taking a preparation and pushing into a spin. I locked my position solidly as I sailed through three turns on the top of my pointe shoe.
“Very nice!” Preston said. “Does that bother your toe at all?”
“I feel a little pressure, but nothing I can’t manage,” I replied. “Any corrections?”
“The left shoulder is lifted a tad too high,” Preston said.
I nodded, about to try another turn, when something in the hallway caught my attention.
“What do you mean you quit?”
That sounded like Susan, but why was she shouting?
“I’ve turned in my notice,” Tracey replied.
I cautiously walked to the door with Preston right behind me and peered out into the hallway. Tracey was carrying a box. Had she just emptied her locker?
“I don’t understand, why?” Susan asked. Erika slowly walked up behind Susan, but not before sending me a glare as she passed. Preston’s hand shot right up to my shoulder, pulling me closer to him.
Tracey sighed, then turned her attention to me. “Enjoy the fame, little Miss Perfect.”
My mouth dropped open as I looked up to Preston, then back to Susan and Tracey. “I didn’t say anything. What’s this got to do with me?”
“Erika Summerly?” A low voice announced, pulling all our attention down to the end of the hallway. A police officer was standing there, alongside Dem and Lukas. My eyes connected with Dem’s, who gestured for me to go back in the studio, but I shook my head at him. I wanted to know what was going on.
“What’s this about?” Erika asked, suddenly looking very nervous.
“I’d like you to come down to the station with me to answer a few questions,” the police officer said.
“Why?” Erika asked as Susan backed away from her a bit.
“There is evidence suggesting you may have been behind the assault of another dancer here last Friday,” the police officer replied. “Please come with me.”
I gasped, staring at Erika. I’d considered her my friend the first few weeks here, but this? Was she behind this the whole time? “Erika…”
“Oh, don’t Erika me,” she said, waving me off. “I’ve got nothing to say to you, Ivy. You hid your omega status from everyone, then wormed your way into the Arco pack. You’re a fraud.”
“Get her out of the building,” Dem growled at the end of the hallway. My stomach sank as tears bubbled up in my eyes. She pretty much summed up how I felt about myself this whole time—a fraud.
“You’re so pathetic,” Susan said. I looked up to catch her gaze, but surprisingly, she wasn’t looking at me…she was watching the police officer escort Erika out of the building. Turning to face me, she added. “Ivy, she may never say sorry, but I certainly will. I may be insanely jealous of everything that’s happened to you, but I never wanted you to get hurt like that. I’m sorry.”
Dem and Lukas walked down the hallway, both pulling me into a big hug.
Susan shook her head beside us. “Dem, I assume you want my letter of resignation too?”
