CHAPTER 2

1056 Words
MIRABLE POV. “You are turning down the invitation?” Ash squealed so loudly I had to cover my ears, almost drowning out the song of “Jingle Bell Rock” playing softly in the background. “Yep,” I replied, rolling my eyes as I moved to clear the now-empty table. The restaurant where I worked was quiet—it was a slow day, and honestly, I wished it were busy to stop Ash from disturbing me about the party. Ash was my only friend outside of school. In fact, he was my only friend, period. He dropped the napkin dramatically on the counter and put his hands on his hips. “No way, babes. I’m not letting you make the worst mistake of your life,” he huffed. “Oh, please, don’t be so dramatic, Ash. Going there would be the real mistake,” I said. “I know you are still upset about what they did to you, but this is a peace offering. The triplets might actually be changing! Who knows, one of them could even fall for you,” he said with a huge grin. “Ew. I’d rather be buried alive than date one of those jerks,” I replied, disgusted. “They deserve nothing but misery and maybe a big lump of coal each.” Ash stepped forward, placing his hands on my shoulders and towering over me by a good four inches. “I know they hurt you, but… baby girl, it’s about time for some payback,” he said with a mischievous gleam in his eye. I frowned. “How?” “By going to that party,” he replied as if he’d just revealed the meaning of life. “Are you okay? Did you hit your head?” I asked, pressing a hand to his forehead to check for a fever. “I’m serious, Mirabel,” Ash said, sounding slightly offended. “The triplets probably gave you the invite because they expect you to be too scared to show up. They are counting on it. So, prove them wrong. Show them you are not the coward they think you are.” I leaned on one hip, pretending to consider it. “You know… when you put it that way, it almost sounds smart. But that’s the dumbest reason I have ever heard,” I deadpanned. But Ash was relentless. He kept going on about how it would be my big chance to show everyone that I wasn’t just the quiet girl in boring school clothes (that hurt a little, by the way). According to him, I’d make an unforgettable entrance and show them all that I wasn’t just some coward—they’d see I was a confident, beautiful woman they should have noticed ages ago. Of course, that was absurd. The triplets didn’t regret rejecting me; they had girlfriends who were the daughters of prominent men and were stunningly beautiful. Me? I was just Mirabel, a regular Omega. “Please, please, please… Mirabel, just listen to me this one time! I have a feeling, a sixth sense, that this party could change the entire trajectory of your life,” Ash begged. I sighed, finally facing him. “Fine. But what’s in it for me? If I’m going to make a fool of myself, I should at least get something out of it.” “Thirty dollars,” Ash offered. “Sixty dollars and your new thrifted scarf,” I countered. “No way, that scarf is vintage and expensive!” he protested. “Then I’m not going,” I said, smirking. He seemed to consider this for a moment before raising his hands in surrender. “Fine. Fifty dollars and the scarf.” “Then we have a deal.” ****************** Four days later, I stood in the skimpiest outfit Ash could find. I felt like the clueless horror movie character who wanders straight into the killer’s lair while the audience screams, “No, don’t go!” But here I was, heading straight toward my doom—all for a vintage scarf and fifty bucks. I could already picture my poor mom crying over my grave. “Hey, Mirabel! Over here!” Vivian shouted like we were best friends. She was the Beta’s daughter and Damian’s fiancée, destined to marry him as soon as high school was over to strengthen their alliances, or so I’d heard. I looked around, half-hoping there was someone else named Mirabel nearby. No such luck. Come on, you are just in time for the new challenge!” she said, flashing a smile that looked way too devious for my liking. The word challenge made my heart skip a beat. I followed her to the pool area, where half the school was dancing, guzzling punch, or grinding on each other like their lives depended on it. “I’m so glad you are here!” she yelled just as Damian sauntered up. He wore nothing but a pair of swim trunks and a tacky santa hat, his sculpted body practically glistening under the lights. I hated that I noticed, but, come on, he looked like he had been hand-chiseled by the gods. Not that it made him any less of a jerk. “Just bringing her over to you,” Vivian chimed in, practically batting her lashes. Damian’s eyes remained on me, and after an excruciating pause, he smirked. “Didn’t think you would actually show up. I guess Noah was right—you are not as pathetic as you look. Stupid, yes, but brave.” Oh, that smug look of his. It was the kind that made you want to throw something. Preferably something heavy. The way he stared at me, like a predator about to pounce, made my stomach churn. I could feel my life flashing before my eyes, and it wasn’t looking pretty. If I made it out of this, Ash was in serious trouble. Before I could respond, Damian signaled two guys to come to our direction. “You know the plan? Lock her up. Don’t let her out until it’s time,” he commanded. Then, turning back to me with an unsettling grin, he added, “Don’t be scared, piggy. We will hurt you just enough to make it interesting—but not enough to kill you.”
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