Bethany stood still in the elevator, as she took in the lounge. Her eyes glittering in awe.
It was huge. Too huge.
She couldn't help but feel self consciousness crawl all over her skin. Should she be allowed to witness such elegance?
Everything looked so expensive, so regal. The onyx black and gold themed sitting room looked so opulent, the golden chandelier adding more ambiance , making it look even more warm and inviting.
Swallowing, she turned to Theo who stood patiently beside her while he waited for her to take in everything.
"This is massive, Theo." She said. Not knowing any other words to describe what was before her.
He chuckled lightly at her comment, and nodded. "I know. C'mon, there's more." He said, taking her hand in his from beside her, leading her softly into the lounge.
She wasn't sure if she wanted to see more, but she couldn't refuse the tour.
Her eyes widened with each step she took, observing every tiny detail. She couldn't help but wonder how much effort the interior designer had put in to make such a place look so sophisticated and warm at the same time.
They passed through a slightly narrow hallway that was lined with various paintings and statues she couldn't understand in one glance, all in onyx black and gold, but one caught her eye.
It was a painting made with charcoal black and white dust, it's rim covered with gold that didn't shine like others, this one's lustre drew her gaze in.
Her eyes assessed the painting silently, Theo waiting patiently.
She observed every stroke, every line, every curve like she had all the time in world, from bottom to the top.
As her eyes assessed the face in the painting, they widened more than they had ever done.
She turned to Theo in shock, her lips parted in confusion.
"I can explain." He said quietly, rubbing the back of her palm softly.
"Troy had it done not too long after we found out. He wanted to give it to you personally but I guess he wasn't ready yet so he put it here hoping you'd see it one day , on your own."
Turning back to the painting, she let her fingers run over the surface, utterly confused on how to reply.
It was a painting of her, sitting on a bench in a park, looking ahead, the wind playing easily with her hair behind the bench.
Her features were so soft, a very genuine smile, laying easily on her lips as she gazed at something that made her really happy.
The peace radiating from the image tugged on her heartstrings without mercy.
The picture depicted the sort of peace she had always wanted, always carved so desperately.
Peace without consequences or back drops.
But somehow, she couldn't help but feel it was a distant dream.
She hoped desperately, that it really wouldn't be that way in the future.
But for now, it was a distant dream.
Swallowing, she turned back to face him, a small smile appearing on her face.
"I love it." She said softly.
"I knew you would." Theo said. "C'mon, the boys are dying in anticipation." Pulling her gently, they walked to a door on the right, at the end of the hallway.
"They are inside, you ready?" Theo said, his eyes scanning her face deeply, looking for any hidden emotions.
"Yeah, I am."
On her que, he pushed the door open, ushering her into an elegantly furnished conference room.
It wasn't very massive, but it couldn't stop anyone from feeling inferior.
Already accostomed to the extravagant but warm nature theme of their lounge, she didn't bother looking around, her eyes trained heavily on the man seated beside the person at the end of the table, taking in his features shamelessly.
The full moon had really done them no justice.
Troy's dark brown hair was brushed backwards slickly without gel, one rogue strand falling to his face just above his right eyebrow. His hazel brown eyes stared right at her, looking into her eyes, like he had wished he could communicate every single thought in his head with just looking at her.
Things his lips felt incredibly heavy to carry.
"I loved your painting. Thank you." She said softly, a soft smile ghosting her lips. The tension they had created the other day in argument, no where to be seen.
"I ..." Troy stuttered his eyes flickering to Theo who stood beside her, question in his eyes.
Theo nodded in response.
Nodding slightly at his brother, his eyes went back to her. "Thank you too."
"It's okay." She said kindly, going to sit beside Tristan.
"Hi, Tristan."
"Hi, Bethany." Her name rolled of his tongue like sweetened melted butter as he swam in the way her naturally glossy eyes looked at him.
"I see you had a good trip." Tristan said, intertwining his fingers the way he usually did when he found something interesting.
"It was perfect." She said at once. He didn't miss the way her eyes sparkled as she responded. "Theo was charming." She said, all her teeth out in a grin.
"Theo? Charming? I'm not sure those two words should be used in a sentence, dear." Troy said, shaking his head in correction, taking a sip from the glass that was placed before him.
"What do you mean by that? I can be charming when I want to." Theo defended, holding his palm to his chest in mock-offence.
"Overstatement of the year." Tristan deadpanned.
"Wait, isn't he always like this? I mean, Theo, they are joking right?" She said turning to him in fake surprise.
Of course she has heard his stories. The third triplet that should be called a devil incarnate. The way he trains the soldiers under him, or the way he punishes rogue and pack members that refuse to comply to the rules.
He wasn't just the most feared Alpha triplet, he was the executioner of the pack.
And Bethany has always known, from the very first moment he introduced himself.
Of course she was taken aback, but no matter what she thought she knew, she was finally given an opportunity to know the man behind the executioner.
An offer she could never turn down.
"Of course, they are." He said, looking ridiculously desperate, Bethany almost couldn't hold back her amusement.
"It's okay. I know." She said, calmly glinting in her eyes.
He nodded softly in response, satisfaction filling his heart.
They had done it. They had opened her. Atleast she wouldn't have to feel nervous around them.
It was small, but still a step. One he was grateful for.
Turning to Tristan, he signalled that it was time to take over.
Nodding subtly, Tristan sat up in his seat, pressing the hidden button beneath the table, a butler walking in immediately.
Turning to Beth he smiled softly. "Would you prefer we spoke before or after food?"