Page 20

She put on my music, and I began to practice my routine. Miss Janie snarked, “Clean up those lines.” Mis Becky said, “It’s not a classical routine. She’s in the freestyle round first. She can’t be robotic.” I blocked them out and performed the routine I’d choreographed for Xander.

I’d invited him to this competition. It was a long shot he’d come, since he didn’t come to the local ones I’d invited him to, but he did sign for it. He must always be in a hurry when he signed because it was the sloppiest squiggly line.

Adeline told me I should stop inviting him once she’d found out Tiffany agreed with her. They were worried about me wasting money, but to me it wasn’t. He could show up one day, and his dad did do all this for me. Maybe he was coming.

When I finished my mom gasped, “Ladybug, that was beautiful!” She fanned her face, and two workers came over with paperwork for the teachers to fill out. Another grabbed my mom and whispered, “She’s on in ten minutes.” My mom waved to me and then walked with me and Miss Becky to the stage.

Miss Becky said, “You have this routine down pat. I’ll be in the audience watching.

You’ve got this.” She hugged me then dashed off to film.

My mom hugged me and kissed my hands like she always did.

She said, “Gosh, you’re growing up so fast.” I teased, “I’m growing up at the same rate everyone else is. ”

She laughed, “Not with that big brain in there, you aren’t. You are so wise and strong for your age. I’m so proud of you. Go out there and do what you love. You shine every single time that spotlight comes up on you. Your daddy and I love you so much, Melanie Jane.”

I threw myself into her arms, “I love you too, mom.” Tom cleared his throat, “I’ll get you to your seat, Beta Female Sam.

” She asked, “Who is staying back here for Melanie?” Tank answered, “Me and the least talkative of Alpha Eric’s group.

” My mom cackled, “You’re doing an initiation on them? ” He winked at her.

The men in question looked at each other in confusion.

I explained, “It’s because I talk… a lot…

probably more than all of you combined could talk…

so she means getting an initiation because you’ll be back here after my first dance and in the room with me once I change…

because I have another dance… ok… I have three more but… ”

Tank cut in, “They get it, and your mom left laughing.” Oh.

The stagehand announced, “You’re up, kid.

” He pushed me and Tank didn’t appreciate that.

One of Alpha Eric’s guys grabbed me and glared.

The man held up his hands, “Sorry, the teacher’s notes say she has stage fright and needs a shove.

” Tank grabbed his clipboard nearly yelling, “What?!”

The other guy said, “Go out and there and dance. I’ve been hearing it’s like magic and I’d like to see some.” I frowned, “Uhh… then you totally knew you were on this detail for a while… and you’ve been at the venue… which makes this all a plan…. by Alpha Eric and…”

He winked, “That’s a cute stuffed wolf the man named Tank is holding.” I blushed but it was a tradition that my Xander wolf was waiting off stage, so the Warriors held him for me. He whispered, “Maybe other people think so too.” My jaw dropped and I quickly took off for the middle of the stage.

I got into position and glanced down the row my mom was sitting at. She waved at me and blew a kiss. The seat next to her was empty though. I deflated a little because I’d hoped that Xander was the one who liked that Oden looked like him.

I shook that off because he was probably just busy.

He was the Duke of two Kingdoms, and he was already the most feared and talented Alpha Enforcer the Werewolf community had ever known.

The music started and the lights came on and I lost myself in the dance to honor Xander.

They were all to Xander, if I was being honest, he inspired me.

I’d picked Crazy Stupid Love for this dance.

When the song came to an end I slid across the stage on my knees. The auditorium exploded in applause. I saw my teacher going to get my score sheet with the comments. I grabbed some flowers thrown and did a quick bow.

I ran off stage and Tank handed me my Xander wolf.

I hugged it tightly and they led me back to my dressing room.

I quickly changed int my white two piece outfit.

The top was bedazzled with white and varying shades of light pink flowers and jewels.

The bottom where shorts with pearls on them and a partial tutu covering the back.

I changed the music to the classical solo I had. I opened the door to Tank and my security could come in. I began to review my dance. When I finished Tank whistled, “That may be the best classical routine I’ve seen you do.” I blushed. He told the other guys, “That’s not a low bar.”

The one who had commented on my Xander wolf replied, “I believe you.” Tank asked, “What inspired that dance, Ladybug?” I squeaked, “Huh? What? Why would you ask that? I mean it could… be like anything… or just like it came to me… it totally just came to me… In a dream… while I was sleeping… that’s definitely a thing that happened. ”

They all started laughing. I asked, “What’s so funny?

” A stagehand knocked, “Hey, you’re up in a few kid.

” I nodded, “Ok, thanks.” My guards were still laughing.

I yelled, “Hey! What’s so funny?” Tank said, “Your ability to lie has gotten worse.” I gasped, “That’s not true!

” Another guy said, “Your heartbeat was going a million miles a minute…”

I cut him off, “That’s not even remotely possible.” He winked, “Yet it happened, and your voice cracked and somehow also squeaked. Just say you’re keeping what inspired you a secret. That way your voice doesn’t crack.” Ok, that was actually good advice.

Tank snorted, “She can’t do it. Trust me.

” My jaw dropped. I could TOTALLY do that!

He ushered me back to the stage, where the stand hand did NOT push me onto the stage.

Footprints in the Sand began to play and I let myself get lost in the music.

My classical dance felt like it went even better than my first.

I ran off and hugged my Xander wolf again.

Tank announced, “We’ve got Jazz and hip-hop left, right?

” I nodded and ran back to change into my Jazz outfit.

This one was an actual bodysuit. It had gold and green sequins on the top half.

My favorite part was the collar that wrapped around my neck and the bottom two layers of fringe.

I opened the door and Tank sighed in relief. I asked, “What?” He said, “I’m not going to get yelled at down the link by Jase for letting you outside in this outfit. Your brother did NOT care for your first two outfits.” I giggled because it was so like my brother. My brothers and my dad were silly.

That routine passed without incident, and I ran back to get ready for my last routine. This one was a two piece. I had black leggings with cutouts all up the legs and a black crop top that was tied into red bows on my ribcage. I let my guards in so I could practice.

Tank bobbed his head back and forth. He said, “This one is fifty-fifty but I feel the first two outfits tip in the favor of them liking it.” My mom entered the room and rolled her eyes, “I swear the overprotective males act like she’s not been doing this since she was three.

” She took off my lipstick and put on my favorite shade.

She told me, “You’re doing amazing, Ladybug.

” I admitted, “It’s fun.” She winked, “I know they picked black shoes, but I knew my pup would want these.” She admitted, “I had Haley conjure these too.” I threw open the lid to the box and gasped.

They were sparkly red high tops with black laces and accents.

I squealed, “Mom, I love them.” She winked, “Haley also used some charm, so they are worn in.” I hugged her, “Thanks!” She hugged me tightly, “Knock ‘em dead, Ladybug.” She was escorted back to her seat, and I knew that dance was easily my best when I finished.

I squeezed my Xander wolf extra tight and was ushered out of the building.

Once they got my mom in the car, we were off. She chuckled, “I feel like we are the most important people on the planet with this escort.” I did too. We got back to the penthouse, and she helped me get all my make up off.

She asked, “Are you ready for bed?” I could tell she hoped I wasn’t.

I winked, “Not even a little.” She jumped, “I’ll get the chocolate out and order the burritos!

” On my long competitions we always had mom and daughter nights.

Burritos and chocolate may sound like a weird combination, but they were our tradition.

I skipped out into the main room once I’d showered quickly and put on comfy clothes.

Tank was waiting with a box of sugar cookies.

I squealed, “SUGAR COOKIES! THESE ARE MY FAVORITE!” He laughed, “Beta Drake researched the best places for sugar cookies out here weeks ago.” Of course he did.

I could hear my mom talking to my family and I ran into the living room with my cookies.

Everyone saw me and yelled, “THERE SHE IS!” My dad asked, “How’s the best dancer in the world?

” I blushed, “Dad! I mean… the world… gosh… that’s a lot of people and…

” He cut me off, “And you’re the best.” I held up the cookies, “Thanks.” He winked, “I’ll always make sure my little pup is taken care of. ”

Tristan yelled, “You were great!” Jason agreed, “Yeah, maybe mention to your teachers’ costumes don’t have holes.

” Grandma Esther slapped him on the back of the head.

He yelped, “Ouch!” She snorted, “You looked beautiful, Melanie Jane.” My dad and Grandpa said, “Yeah, and much older.” I asked, “Is Uncle Duncan back yet?” My dad answered, “Not yet, Ladybug.” I nodded and we talked for a bit before they logged off.