I tried my very best not to fall for him but my efforts proved to be futile. When it comes to Luke Skywalker, I was so greedy for his attention and love. I couldn’t even count how many times I let him be intimate with me, and he seemed to be having fun with our arrangement. Did I make a mistake when I proposed that we should just be friends with benefits? Because since that night, Luke made sure he had taken advantage of the arrangement.
But then, I had no plan to cancel our agreement. There were a few more days before the month would end, so I would deal with him until the agreement ended. One evening, before we went to bed, I talked to Luke about watching a movie. I thought a movie night would be perfect to spend some quality time together.
“Hey, I was wondering if you’d like to join me for a movie tomorrow? There’s a new romantic comedy that I have been dying to see, and I thought it would be fun to watch it together. What do you think?”

I anxiously waited for his response but I hoped he would say yes. Then, after what it felt like an eternity, he nodded his head and said yes. I thanked him because he seemed like he was just as excited about the movie date as I was. I couldn’t help but smile as I started planning the details.
“Good night, Luke,” I said after brushing a kiss on his cheek, but instead of letting me, he suddenly grabbed my chin and kissed my lips instead. “Hey, you shouldn’t have done that!” I slapped his arm after the kiss because I was afraid we would do it again.
“Why? Are you scared that your knees would become weak from my kisses?” he asked and I nodded.
“It’s late, and I am tired,” I told him the truth because the darn man had drained my energy since we entered the room. “I should leave now. Dad would be livid with anger if he learns that I am staying late in your room.”
“Just say the word and I will talk to him, Isabella. I am always ready to take you as my Luna,” he told me.
“The Luna of Lancaster?” I asked, and then I shivered at the thought that being the cursed Luna of that pack could have always been my fate. Maybe, I was destined to become Luna before the Alpha would love someone else and kill me. “I’m sorry but I am not interested in being a Luna.”

“Then, what are your plans for your future?”
“I will be the Alpha of Pembroke since my husband would be human,” I told him and he looked away. Then, he turned to face me with sadness in his eyes.
“The Alpha of Pembroke, well, I think you will be a great leader to this pack, Isabella.”
“I know and if there’s trouble in the future, I could always count on you, right? After all, we are friends. BFF premium,” I emphasized the term, and he narrowed his eyes at me. “Go now while I am still being nice,” he said.

“Okay. Good night.”
“Goodnight baby,” he said but I wished he didn’t use an endearment because I felt special when he said it.
I quietly went back to my room after leaving Luke's bedroom and my heart was beating fast. Whenever I am with him, I feel a jumble of emotions inside me. But now, as I sat in my room, I couldn't stop thinking about Luke and me being together forever.
I sat on my bed and couldn't get the thoughts out of my head. I imagined us doing everything together, going on adventures, making memories, and supporting each other no matter what. It felt so good to think about us being inseparable. It was like a dream… yeah, it’s a dream for me because sooner or later, I would be married to someone else.
But as time passed, reality started to come back. Doubts and worries started to creep in. Would our connection last? Could we handle the challenges that would come our way? These questions made me doubt my daydreams.
Lost in my thoughts, I realized that while it's normal to imagine a future with someone I care about, it's also important to stay grounded, especially with my current situation. Taking a deep breath, I made a promise to myself. I would just cherish the moments I had with Luke, but I would also be realistic.
Feeling a sense of clarity, I walked toward the window. I opened it and looked out. The moon was shining, and it would have been great to go outdoors in my wolf form but Luke prohibited me from doing it lately. He said it was dangerous especially when Aric Stormheart and Vanessa Covington were still at large.
While looking outside the window, I took a deep breath. It was already late, and I was supposed to be sleeping, but what should I do now? My mind was still wide awake, and because of too much overthinking, it refused to take a rest.
But then, as I remembered that Luke and I had somewhere to go in the morning, I convinced myself to go to bed. Slowly, I walked toward the massive bed, and threw my body in the middle. I immediately closed my eyes but still, sleep remained elusive to me.
And it was all because of Luke Skywalker. Since the moment I allowed him to become part of me again, I have been overthinking day and night. My mind was filled with thoughts of him, and it was harder to sleep at night. When morning came, I woke up with puffy eyes because I had been awake all night.
“What happened, darling?” Mom asked when she saw me diligently drinking black coffee on the balcony of the second floor. “It looks like you have been awake all night,” she remarked, and I couldn’t deny it.
“I couldn’t get a wink so I need this cup to boost my energy. By the way Mom, Luke and I are going to leave the territory after breakfast. We will go to the city, then we’ll watch a movie together,”I informed her.
“Darling, I noticed that you are becoming clingy to Luke lately. Are you sure that you will be able to handle the consequences later on? It would be hard to let him go if you are going to spend so much time with him.”
“I know it’s going to be hard but my time with him is limited, Mom. So, can you and Dad just turn a blind eye on us? Don’t worry though, I know what is right or wrong,” I assured her, and initially, she was doubtful.
“I know you have a good head on your shoulders sweetheart , but I am just worried that you will end up hurting soon,” she mentioned, and I just smiled.
“Would it matter? All I care about right now is how to maximize my time with Luke. Soon, he would go back to Lancaster, and I would never see him again,” I said.
“Why not? You can always ask your father to cancel the engagement, then you will be free,” she suggested, and by her words, it was obvious she had no idea why Dad arranged my marriage to a billionaire.
“It’s alright, Mom. As an Alpha’s daughter, I knew this could happen. I mean, the pack should be my priority,” I explained.
“But darling, I want you to be happy. I want you to have the finest things in life…as well as in love. I know how much you care about Luke, so what’s stopping you?”
“Well, I still have a lot of better things to do than become the Luna of Lancaster,” I said because recently, I realized that the fate of dying on that operating table could only be for the Luna of Lancaster, and as long as I wouldn’t marry into the pack, I would be safe.
“It seems that I can’t change your decision anymore,” Mom told me in a low voice. Was she sad that I wouldn’t marry my mate?
“You are right, Mom. Nothing and no one can change my opinion about my engagement to that man,” I said while referring to the human who dared to marry a werewolf like me.
“Then, I will let you do things your way, Isabella. But please darling, always be careful of your heart. I don’t want you to end up hurting this time, okay?”
“Yes, Mom. Thanks for your concern. By the way, are you and Dad going elsewhere?”
“Yes. William had to attend a conference amongst Alphas in the city. It’s renewal time for the peace treaty with humans,” she explained.
“Then, Luke should be there!”
“He assigned his beta to attend on his behalf,” Mom explained.
“He already got a beta? Would it be allowed?”
“Yes, because the council approved that man there. It was his Uncle,” she told me.
“Oh, the one who saved him? Alright. Anyway, have a good time, Mom. But, will the pack be alright today?”
“Are you worried that another attack would occur?”
“Of course! Don’t worry, Luke and William had rallied the best warriors we have here and they were given the task to guard the pack at all times,” she said confidently.
“But what if there’s a traitor amongst them?”
“Isabella, you are overthinking again. Why don’t you inform Luke that breakfast is ready? Go and fetch him so that you can have breakfast together,” she ordered.
“Yes, Mom,” I answered, and then she said goodbye to get ready for the conference.
The idea of having breakfast together was appealing but I wasn't confident to show my face to him at the moment. My eyes grew heavy, and my body craved rest despite having a cup of black coffee already. But even in my tired state, I couldn’t stop thinking about him.
Earlier, when I woke up, the morning light revealed the toll of the sleepless night. My eyes were swollen and puffy, and when I looked at myself in the mirror, I was horrified at my appearance. So, how could I face Luke in this state?
“Good morning!”
I tilted my head to look up when I heard a familiar voice approaching me. Then, my eyes widened in shock when I saw him. “Luke! Have you eaten your breakfast already?”
“Not yet. Hmmm you look gorgeous today,” he remarked, and I snapped my brows upon hearing it.
“What’s wrong with you eyes, Luke? Didn’t you see how puffy my eyes are?”
“Does it matter? You still look pretty to me. You will always be pretty to me,” he said as if they were just simple words.
He had no idea the strange effect of his words on me. As a result, I was speechless. Fortunately, one of the servants came to serve us our breakfast. For a moment, we were distracted as servants came and went with plates for our breakfast. Then, Luke requested for a cup of coffee with some creamer. Well, he always had a sweet tooth, and he disliked black coffee.
After breakfast, Luke and I went our separate ways to get ready for our outing, and before ten in the morning, we were able to leave the house. Just like before, he had the permission to use any of my Dad’s cars.
When we arrived at the mall, it was busy as always. We went to the cinema first to purchase our ticket, and there was a delicious smell of popcorn in the air. Then, I was startled when Luke suddenly held my hand as he went through the crowd to buy our tickets. Because he was so handsome, I caught several women stealing glances at my man.
Wait, what did I say? My man?
With tickets in hand, we went into the theater. It was dark inside, and we found seats in the middle row so we could see the screen well. As the lights went down and the movie started, we snuggled up close to each other, just like normal lovers would do.
Actually, we were supposed to watch a romantic comedy movie but it was fully booked and since the next screening time was three hours apart, we decided to watch what’s available.
The movie we watched together was called "The Duchess." It was a romantic movie set in the past, and it had a sad ending. The story was about a woman who was married to a powerful man but faced many difficulties in her marriage. She had to deal with the expectations of society and her own desire for love and happiness.
“Did you cry?” Luke asked as soon as the lights were turned on, so I did my best to wipe my tears.
“Can’t help it, she was so pitiful in the movie,” I said while referring to the female lead who ended up dying when she just wanted to be happy and loved.
“What a crybaby you are,” he remarked while grabbing my body close to him.
Since we arrived at the mall, he was so touchy and clingy. He would never let go of my hand, and I liked the feeling so much. When we were dating, he wasn't fond of public displays of affection but now that we’re just friends with benefits, he was touchy and clingy.
“Where are we going?” I asked when I noticed that we weren’t heading toward the parking lot.
“To grab something to eat,” he replied.
“Where?”
“There’s a new place with good food around here,” he replied as if he was so familiar with the place so I just let him.
But, I didn’t expect that he would take me to a cozy restaurant nearby. The atmosphere was nice, with soft music playing and warm lights. One of the waiters met us at the door and led us to a vacant table.
As soon as we were seated, we looked at the menu and talked about what we wanted to eat. Eventually, we chose a delicious meal that could satisfy our hunger. We both agreed to try their garlic butter steak and roasted potatoes all oven baked in one pan.
While waiting for our dinner, I was shy to talk first so I waited for him to open up first, but then all of a sudden, his phone rang and he excused himself. He stood up and distanced himself to talk to the caller, and for a moment, I wondered who was the caller.
While being alone at the table, I decided to check my phone as well. I have several missed calls from Selene, but as much as I wanted to call her back, I shouldn't do it yet. I just didn’t want to ruin my date with Luke Skywalker. Then, I turned off my phone in case she would call again. Fortunately, it was on silent mode since morning.
Finally, our steaks arrived, and they were cooked just the way we liked them. Luke, upon seeing that the waiter served the food already, had ended his phone conversation and returned to his seat. Inwardly, I wanted to ask about the caller but I didn’t have the right to do it. I wasn’t his girlfriend, though.
“It was my Uncle. He just gave me an update about the conference,” he said as he sat down.
“Oh really?”
“Yes. Why? Did you think it was a woman who called me?” he asked and when I wasn’t able to respond right away, he grinned.
“Let’s just eat,” I said because he was being conceited as usual. He believed I was jealous of his caller.
The meat was juicy and tender, and the potatoes were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I couldn't wait to dig in and satisfy our hunger. Between bites, I remained silent because I was embarrassed to admit that he caught me red handed. He was right. I was jealous!