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Now here I was, standing on the precipice of something unimaginable—marriage to not one but three alphas who had somehow become smitten with me. Their attention was flattering yet frightening, an acknowledgment that set every nerve on edge.
As Meredith continued her monologue on the benefits of this union for our family's image, I couldn't help but let my mind wander to what life would be like with them—with Dominic's commanding presence, Xavier's insightful gaze, and Lucian's enigmatic charm. Married to them—actually married and becoming their wife? The idea was as daunting as it was alluring.
The descent down the grand staircase was torturous, my hand in Meredith's like a lifeline keeping me from being swept away by my own panic. Gregory stood at the foot of the stairs, his posture impeccable, the embodiment of self-assured poise. His gaze swept over me, assessing, scrutinizing, as if determining the value of his investment. He didn't say much, just a curt nod acknowledging our departure. We exited the mansion, and I hesitated for a moment, casting a longing glance back at the life I was about to leave behind.
Gregory ushered us into one of their ostentatious cars that seemed to purr in anticipation of the journey. The leather seats embraced me like cold arms as I settled in, my heart thudding erratically against my rib cage. Gregory maneuvered through the streets with an ease that belied the turmoil brewing inside me. I could feel Meredith's expectant eyes on me, but I couldn't bring myself to meet her gaze.
I fidgeted with the hem of my dress, my fingers twisting the delicate fabric as we glided past city lights that blurred into streaks of color. Every mile that passed was a step closer to a future I hadn't chosen. The car's luxurious interior felt like a gilded cage, opulent yet suffocating.
Before long, we arrived at The Elysium Tower, its facade an imposing wall of reflective glass that seemed to touch the heavens. My breath caught in my throat as we entered the lobby, every surface polished to a mirror sheen. We were whisked away to the thirtieth floor by an elevator lined with golden panels that reflected our ascending forms.
The doors opened to La Ciel Bleu, a restaurant where extravagance was served on a silver platter. Crystal chandeliers hung like constellations from the high ceilings, their light cascading over tables draped in pristine white linen. The walls were adorned with artful frescoes that seemed to dance in the soft illumination.
Meredith and Gregory strode through the restaurant with an air of entitlement that only those accustomed to such luxury could possess. They basked in the admiration of other patrons who recognized them, their pride swelling with each acknowledging nod and envious glance.
I trailed behind them, my heart fluttering like a caged bird desperate for escape. The opulence was overwhelming—every laugh too loud, every clink of cutlery too sharp. I kept glancing back at the door we'd come through as if it might offer me an escape.
Then he appeared—Dominic Davenport. His presence commanded attention; his stature alone made him seem like he belonged to another world entirely, one where men like him ruled unchallenged.
I sucked in a sharp breath as Dominic drew near; his dark hair was immaculate, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that felt like a physical touch.
Meredith's smile widened into something victorious as Dominic greeted us with charm befitting his status. Then his gaze found mine, and time seemed to slow to a crawl. His eyes were like molten steel, piercing and intense, and I felt myself drowning in their depths. With a singular gesture, he extended his hand, and I found myself moving toward him as if drawn by an invisible thread.
My fingers trembled as they brushed against his palm, and I couldn't help but marvel at the contrast—his strong hand enveloping my own smaller digits, a delicate bird perched on the palm of a giant. His lips curved into a smile that sent a shiver down my spine, and then, in a gesture that seemed to defy reality, he raised my hand to his lips and pressed a featherlight kiss to my knuckles, sending a jolt through me. In that moment, the world around us faded away, and all I could comprehend was the searing intensity of his touch, the promise of a future that both terrified and enthralled me.
Dominic led us to a table near a grand window, revealing the city spread out like a canvas of twinkling lights and shadows. Meredith's admiration for the view spilled from her lips in an elegant stream, her words weaving through the air with the practiced ease of someone accustomed to such luxury.
“What a spectacular view,” she cooed, her gaze sweeping across the skyline as if embracing the city itself. Gregory hummed in agreement, his eyes reflecting the city's glow with a sharp glint of approval.
Xavier and Lucian were already there, poised with an air of casual sophistication. They stood as we approached, their greetings to Meredith and Gregory cordial but brief. When their attention turned to me, the atmosphere shifted subtly, charged with an unspoken intensity.
Each brother took my hand in turn, their lips brushing against my skin in a gesture that was both formal and intimate. A flush crept up my neck as their gazes lingered, their eyes darkening with an intensity that stirred something primal within me. The scent of their alpha pheromones enveloped me, rich and heady, eliciting a response from my own omega nature that left me feeling dizzy and exposed.
We took our seats, and I found myself nestled between Dominic and Xavier, their presence both comforting and overwhelming. The table was set with an array of fine china and delicate crystal, each piece a work of art in itself. Waiters materialized like silent specters, each movement precise and unobtrusive. Our meals arrived soon after, and before me was a plate that could have graced the cover of a culinary magazine—a delicate arrangement of quail over roasted heirloom carrots drizzled with a pomegranate glaze that sparkled like jewels.
Dominic's dish was an architectural marvel—a filet mignon perched atop a throne of truffled potatoes, surrounded by a moat of rich bordelaise sauce that shimmered under the chandelier's light. Xavier's choice was no less impressive: seared scallops crowned with delicate caviar beads, nestled on a bed of saffron-infused risotto that painted the plate with golden hues. And Lucian had opted for something from the sea—a whole baked lobster, its shell a vivid red contrast against the jade-green seaweed salad that accompanied it. A buttery aroma wafted from his plate, mingling with the other dishes' scents.
As the conversation swirled around me like a waltz I couldn't dance to, I could only pick at my food, the exquisite flavors lost on my anxious palate. Meredith's gracious smile didn't reach her eyes as she lauded the Davenport brothers for their company's success.
“Gentlemen, I must congratulate you on the recent expansion of Davenport Enterprises. It's commendable how you've managed to usher in such growth.”
Dominic responded with the kind of authority that resonated with power, nodding to Meredith's words. “Thank you, Meredith. We're quite proud of the direction the company is moving in. Economic growth underpins our long-term vision.”
I wanted to shrink into my chair, to disappear as Gregory spoke of alliances and binding families with that analytical gaze that reduced everything to transactions. “Indeed, a powerful alliance, our families joining forces.” His eyes flicked to me briefly, making me feel like a line item in a contract.
Lucian's smile was smooth as he chimed in, his words meant to soothe and charm. “The importance of family cannot be overstated, Mr. Whitmore. With Asa, we're creating a union that strengthens us in every aspect.”
Xavier spoke thoughtfully, but his words did little to soothe the unease coiling within me. “Connections are at the heart of stability. It's the underlying systems, not just the apparent ones, that ensure the fortitude of what we build.”
I took a sip of water to calm the dryness in my throat as I listened to their conversation. It was all so clinical, the underpinnings of our future reduced to the mechanics of infrastructure.
“And we trust you'll take your responsibilities toward Asa seriously,” Meredith added with her controlled tone. “A woman of her standing and… uniqueness requires a certain… attentiveness.”
I bit my lip, feeling like an exotic specimen under discussion, something rare and fragile that needed special care.
Dominic leaned forward slightly, his gaze locking on to mine with an intensity that left me breathless. “Rest assured, Asa's well-being is my utmost priority.” His voice was assertive yet tender, a contradiction that sent my heart racing. “We appreciate the rare gem she is.”
Lucian's voice was warm as he promised attention beyond duty. “Ensuring that Asa feels valued and secure will always come first. Her happiness is paramount.”
