My heart raced as Mom questioned me about Luke Skywalker. I wasn’t supposed to know him, not in this life at least, and it felt like I had stumbled into a scene from a movie, and the script was not what I expected.
Trying to act casual, I bit my bottom lip, but my mind was racing how Luke Skywalker ended up in my mom’s parlor. Mom looked at me with a raised eyebrow, and she was clearly puzzled. I instantly regretted the slip-up. I tried to cover up my mistake by acting like it was a mistake and mumbled something about mispronouncing a different name.

Thankfully, the awkward moment was interrupted by a commotion at the door. A messenger had arrived with gifts from Aric's father. The distraction was a lifeline, and I seized the opportunity to step back from the spotlight. Mom's attention shifted to the gifts and the messenger, giving me a chance to retreat without further questioning.
I hurriedly excused myself, claiming I needed a moment to get ready for the party, and once back in the sanctuary of my bedroom, I sighed with relief. The encounter with Luke had left me puzzled and anxious. What was his role in my life this time? In the past, he was merely one of Aric’s friends, who happened to pass out in my room after being intoxicated, and that event led to my imprisonment in the dungeon.
Yeah, that’s right. Because of Luke Skywalker, I suffered a lot in the dungeon where Aric imprisoned me after he accused me of sleeping with another man, and then he tortured me there. He raped me several times and did unimaginable things to my body. When I recalled it, I shivered in fear, and then I made a mental note to avoid Luke Skywalker at all costs!
As I pondered on what to do with Luke, memories of my previous life with Aric and the tragic events leading to my rebirth flooded back. The pain of betrayal and the haunting image of Aric’s angry face lingered in my mind.
Was there a connection between my previous life and this unexpected meeting with Luke? Or was it merely a strange coincidence? The uncertainty gnawed at me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than I understood. And while pacing back and forth inside my room, I sensed Vanessa’s presence again. I was pissed at her constant hovering as if she didn’t want me to be alone even for a second.
“Why are you here again? Don’t you have something else to do?” I snapped at her, but then, I immediately apologized and reminded myself that around this time, Vanessa wasn’t a bitch yet.

“The make-up artists are here, Isabella,” she informed me.
“Very well. Let them in,” I told her.
As Vanessa brought in the makeup artists to doll me up, I forgot about Luke for a while. Then, after a couple of hours, guests started showing up, and the event was about to kick off. Actually, I was pretty nervous, especially since I knew I’d have to face Aric. Would I be able to reject him or would my heart flutter just like before?
“You look so gorgeous, darling,” Mom said as she inspected my total appearance for the night.

When I looked in the mirror, I felt fancy and polished. At least, the makeup artist did a great job. Mom looked gorgeous as well, and I smiled before I held onto her arms, but Dad arrived and stole Mom.
I wanted to complain but then I remembered how devastated he was when Mom was killed. So, I just let them go. Then, Vanessa came again to pick me up to go to the venue together. Just like me, Vanessa also looked gorgeous with simple makeup. Actually, her beauty could rival anyone even without wearing makeup.
“Are you nervous?” she asked and I nodded.
Even if she was nothing but kind, I couldn’t bring myself to be comfortable with her, especially after what she had done to me in my past life. Descending the grand staircase felt like a moment out of a fairy tale, and as I made my way down, the air was filled with hushed compliments and appreciative glances. The elegant attire, the carefully done hair, and the meticulous makeup seemed to have transformed me into a vision of beauty that captured the attention of the entire room.
But amidst the sea of faces, my eyes locked onto Luke Skywalker. There was something magnetic about his presence that drew my attention. His gaze met mine, and for a moment, it felt like time stood still.
Then, I saw him!
I saw Aric Stormheart amongst the crowd and he looked dapper in his suit. Then, he walked toward me and extended his hand. For a moment, I was confused whether to take it or not, but in the end, I had to take his hand.
Before the program proper, the party host announced that food would be served first to fill our stomachs since it’s already dinnertime. Then, we were guided toward the banquet hall where a wide selection of yummy food was prepared.
“You look gorgeous as ever, Isabella,” Aric whispered and I clenched my jaw, but since there were individuals who were watching us, I forced myself to smile at him.
“Same to you, Aric,” I said and to avoid having a conversation with him, I dragged him to the buffet table and showed him I couldn’t resist tasting a bit of everything.
Then, the room was filled with lively music, and some people even danced. I’m not much of a dancer, but Aric suddenly wanted to dance with me. I wanted to say no but he insisted and literally dragged me to the dance floor.
But then, Luke Skywalker blocked our way, and I frowned. I thought Aric would be pissed but he suddenly let go of my hand and greeted Luke and tapped his shoulder.
“Luke Skywalker! I didn’t expect you would be on time tonight,” Aric exclaimed and Luke just smirked. “Dude, let me introduce you to my girlfriend, Isabella. Babe, this is my friend, Luke Skywalker.”
Luke extended his hand to me, and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Isabella.”
“Well, the pleasure is mine, Mr. Skywalker. How long have you been friends with Aric?” I asked.
“Not so long,” he replied.
“I see. I hope you enjoy the party tonight. Excuse me for a moment, Aric.” I said and left without turning back.
I thought it would be easy to deal with Aric again but it felt suffocating! I felt the need to escape for a moment because the air seemed dense like there wasn’t enough room to breathe. So, I slipped away and went to the garden.
I sighed with relief as the cool night air embraced me, and then I let the fresh scent of flowers and earth soothe my senses. Moonlight spilled over the garden so it was easier to find a quiet spot to gather my thoughts.
My parents would be disappointed with me later, or worse, they would send me away for good, but I couldn’t marry Aric Stormheart! Then, while I was collecting my thoughts, I heard a faint sound of a woman crying from a distance.
Slowly, I stood up to check. I walked around the hedges to search for the crying woman, and a few minutes later, I found her! She was leaning on one of the hedges while crying her heart out, and I felt bad for her.
She was probably heartbroken because, after tonight, Aric and I would get married. I wanted to comfort her, but then, I decided just to let her cry, and I went back to the party venue.
As soon as I returned, I saw Aric’s family, and they seemed happy about our engagement. To his parents, as well as to my parents, the party was a special time because it would signify the union of two packs.
As the program started, my heart was pounding with nerves. Finally, the big moment arrived. Aric stepped into the spotlight, and everyone’s attention shifted to him. Then, he wanted to join him, and I couldn’t refuse when everyone was cheering on us. So, I went to him and stood in front of him. Without further ado, Aric got down on one knee and retrieved a small box from his pocket. Then, he looked into my eyes and asked the question.
“Isabella Drake, will you marry me?”
Previously, my heart swelled with emotion as I agreed to marry him. He was my first love and I was the happiest when he proposed marriage to me. That moment felt like a scene from a dream as he slipped the ring onto my finger.
But tonight, I got a different answer for him. Yes, we were mates, but there’s no rule saying that I should marry my mate. I could always reject my mate if needed, and that’s what I intended to do with Aric Stormheart!
Everyone clapped, and I got even more nervous when it was my turn to speak. Aric’s words hung in the air, and everyone was looking at us. Once the clapping settled down a little bit, all eyes were on me. Regardless if I was feeling anxious at the moment, I had to do it because the room was full of people waiting to hear what I had to say.
"I... I can't," I replied and the crowd gasped in disbelief that I got the nerve to reject the future Alpha of Lancaster.
“Isabella,” he mumbled my name as he looked at me in disbelief.
“I, Isabella Drake, reject you, Aric Stormheart as my mate. I’m sorry but I can’t marry you,” I told him, and he was too stunned to speak.