MIRABEL POV.
“Hey, girlfriend, why do you look like that?” Ash’s scowl was sharper than his contour as I dragged myself into the restaurant. “What happened to you?”
I sighed, dropping my bag onto the nearest table before collapsing into a chair. “A lot happened today. First, it was Silas—-your doing and then Damian and Noah decided to go full weird mode.”
Ash’s lips quirked into a small smile before it blossomed into a full-blown smirk. “Were they jealous? Oh, I knew Silas was the right man for the job.”
I blinked but before I could deliver the answer, Ash clapped his hands. “Oh, Silas! You are right on time.”
Silas sauntered into the restaurant like he owned the place—or maybe the whole world. Black leather jacket, matching pants, and that dangerous, brooding charm that made women swoon and smart girls like me suspicious.
“You invited him here?” I hissed at Ash, who nodded unapologetically.
Silas strolled up to me, all smirks and swagger, then grabbed my hand like we were starring in a telenovela. “How are you, señorita? I missed you,” he said, his voice as smooth as melted chocolate.
“What are you doing?” I yanked my hand back. “And stop with the nicknames. What’s with men these days? Everyone’s handing out pet names like it’s Halloween candy.”
Ash rolled his eyes and plopped into the seat next to me. “Don’t be so dramatic, Mirabel. I’m helping you.”
“Helping me?” I crossed my arms and leaned back in my chair. “Your methods always lead to more trouble, Ash. Always.”
He waved me off like I was a toddler with a tantrum. “We all have one goal: to make the triplets regret every single thing they did to you. But first, you have to be desirable—not just to them, but to everyone.”
I frowned. “I don’t care about being desirable.”
Ash snorted. “Please. There is no use lying to me or to yourself. Everyone wants to be wanted. It's a basic human instinct. Vain? Sure. But it's true. And power, my dear, comes from being desired.”
He continued, “And that’s where Silas comes in,”
Silas grinned. “Always happy to be of service, mi princesa.”
“Wait. How do you two even know each other?” I frowned, crossing my arms.
“He’s a friend of Daggin, and he was willing to help us,” Ash said with a shrug.
“Why?”
Silas smirked, leaning back in his chair like he had all the time in the world. “I like helping the weak.”
My teeth clenched so hard I might have chipped one. Weak? Oh, I hated that word.
“I don’t believe you,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “You don’t look like the type to help anyone without getting something in return.”
Silas pulled a cigarette from his pocket and held it up to me with a grin. “Want one?”
“No,” I hissed, pointing at the bright NO SMOKING sign on the wall. “And, FYI, we have a no-smoking policy here.”
He pouted, tucking it back into his leather jacket. “No fun.”
“So, why did you agree to this?” I pressed.
Silas sighed dramatically, leaning forward like he was about to tell me the saddest sob story ever. “Apart from Daggin literally kneeling and begging me to be part of your little revenge plot, I also enjoy anything that involves making the triplets mad. It’s… entertaining.”
I frowned. He smelled like trouble—leather, smoke, and bad decisions wrapped in a dangerous smirk. I wasn’t sure I wanted any part of this.
“I don’t want you to go to the ball with me,” I blurted out.
Ash gasped like I’d just insulted his entire family lineage. “You can’t back out now! You agreed in front of the whole school! You will ruin the entire plan. And, besides, I’m not letting you go to another Christmas ball without a date. Not this year.”
“I’m used to it,” I muttered, sinking into my chair.
Silas burst into laughter, loud and obnoxious like I had just told the funniest joke in the world.
Ash and I stared at him like he had lost his mind. “What’s so funny?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
“You,” Silas said, wiping away nonexistent tears. “You are hilarious. Almost made me feel bad for you—almost. But now I get why the triplets treated you the way they did.”
My stomach twisted. “What are you talking about?”
“Your mates always said you were weak. Pathetic, even,” he said, his smirk widening. “And you know what? They were right.”
“Don’t call me that,” I hissed, my fists curling on the table.
“Or what? You gonna run to mommy and cry about it? Poor little Mirabel, always waiting for someone else to save her.”
“I said stop,” I growled.
Silas ignored me, leaning in closer. “You are an Omega, Mirabel. A scared little piggy hiding in the shadows, letting everyone walk all over you because you are too scared to stand up for yourself. You think people change? They don’t. And you know what? No one kisses doormats. They step on them. Just like you.”
The slap landed before I even realized I had moved. His head barely turned, and instead of looking angry, he smiled like I had just given him a compliment.
“There she is,” he said, his voice low and amused. “Welcome back, Mirabel. I was starting to think the old you was gone for good.”
I glared at him, my chest heaving. I wasn’t sure whether to feel proud, disgusted, or ashamed.
Ash clapped Silas on the shoulder. “You have to teach me how to do that.”
I sighed, pressing a hand to my temple. “Fine. What’s the plan?”
Ash grinned like a kid with a new toy. “You and Silas are going to pretend to be a couple.”
I groaned. “Of course we are.”
Ash leaned forward, spreading a napkin on the table like it was a battle map. “Alright, here’s what we’re going to do…”
They launched into the plan, while I sat back, trying to keep up with their schemes. Every so often, Silas threw in a sarcastic comment, and Ash would counter with something even more ridiculous. I contributed the occasional glare or sarcastic remark, but mostly I let them talk.
When they finally finished, Silas stood. “Well, as fun as this has been, I think it’s time to get you home, mi princesa.”
I scoffed, grabbing my bag. “I will pass. Thanks, but no thanks.”
He raised a brow, smirking “Scared to be alone in a car with me?”
“No,” I said firmly, slinging the strap of my bag over my shoulder. “I’m just not interested in whatever soap opera villain energy you are bringing to this whole situation.”
Silas chuckled, taking a step closer. “You know, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but… you are going to be a good mate.”
I froze, blinking at him. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” he said. “You are stronger than you think, Mirabel. And I just hope those three idiots figure that out before it’s too late.”