The following morning, I was scared to leave my room because I knew what was going to happen the moment I got out of my room. I lied about being indisposed so my breakfast was delivered to my bedroom. However, I didn’t have it my way.
Dad suddenly came and demanded my presence in his study room. Initially, I refused but when Mom yelled at me, I changed my mind and followed silently. Then, while I was sitting inside my father’s study room, my heart raced in nervousness. From the looks of it, I knew the conversation was going to be difficult, but I couldn’t back down from my decision.

The waiting game felt like an eternity and when the door creaked open, my Dad, Alpha William Drake, entered the room with a disappointed look on his face. I tried to smile at him but he swiftly disregarded my gesture as he walked toward his seat.
“Isabella,” he began, and just like his face, his voice was filled with disappointment. “Will you please explain what happened last night? I can’t understand why you would refuse such an important match. As you well know, Aric Stormheart is an honorable man, and our pack would benefit greatly from his alliance,” he went on.
I expected the words to come out of his mouth, but still, it was terrifying! I took a deep breath as I gathered my courage, and pretended to be so clueless to everything he was saying.
“I can’t marry him. It’s as simple as that, Dad. Although, I understand the importance of this alliance, but I can’t marry someone I don’t love.”
“Love? We can’t afford to marry for love, Isabella. You are my heir, and you should focus on bagging a good match for the pack’s economy.”
As I listened to him, my hands trembled slightly. However, I held my ground even though my hands trembled slightly. “I understand my responsibilities, Daddy, but I don’t want him to be my husband. Besides, a forced marriage would only bring negativity to the couple,” I explained.

“What are you talking about, lass? The last time we talked about married, you begged me to let you marry the heir of Pembroke, and then, you humiliated him in front of everyone! Isabella, what’s gotten into you? Are you on drugs?” he yelled.
Then, Alpha William sighed heavily, and said, "Isabella, I've always wanted what's best for you and our pack. I had hoped that you would see the bigger picture and prioritize our future over your own desires."
“But I am scared of him,” I wailed suddenly and he was obviously shocked at the display of emotions, but what else could I do? If I couldn’t convince him with words, then, I would rather just cry, and try to win my case.
Tears welled up in my eyes but then, I saw the pain in my father's face. I didn't want to hurt him, but I couldn't deny my own happiness either. "Daddy, I love our pack, and I want what's best for it as well. But forcing me into a loveless marriage will just kill me in the near future.”

“Girl, what are you talking about? Are you saying that Aric Stormheart wil be mean to you in the future? Do you have a gift of seeing what’s about to come, lass?”
“I think I have,” I lied, and when he smiled, I thought I was winning, but then he suddenly slammed the table with his fist, and I was startled.
“Do you plan to keep lying now?”
“Of course not, Daddy! I am telling the truth! Aric will be mean to me in the future, and he will have me killed. Do you want to lose your precious daughter that way?”
“Enough, Isabella! I had enough of this!”
“Please, Dad. Can you just let it slide for now? Besides, I am still young to get married and start a family. I just turned eighteen!”
“Eighteen is the right age to start a family, Isabella. I don’t understand why you suddenly don’t want him when you used to be head over heels for that lad,” he complained while shaking his head in disbelief.
“Mmm, that was before I saw my future with him,” I lied again.
“Leave,” he ordered with a single word, and I knew that he was livid with anger.
So, as fast as I could, I left his study room, but on the way out, I encountered Vanessa again. Out of all the people inside the residence, Vanessa was the last person I wanted to see. I tried my best to avoid him, but she was persistent in ruining my day.
“Are you mad at me?” she asked when she was able to catch up with me.
“You are just imagining things, Vanessa. If you are done here, you can go back to your station now,” I instructed.
Then, as I left my father's study, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for me and the pack. Love may not always align with duty, but I believe that true happiness can only be found when the heart and the mind are in harmony.
“I hope so. By the way, someone from Lancaster came with gifts for you, Isabella,” she told me in a friendly manner, but I knew better.
“Gifts from Aric Stormheart? Then, by all means, lead the way, Vanessa,” I told her and she pouted her lips before nodding her head.
I bet it was difficult for her to imagine that the man she secretly loved sent a lot of gifts for me following the night of rejecting his offer to become his Luna. When I glanced at Vanessa, I enjoyed watching her being comfortable as we were approaching the gate where a lad brought a truck of goodies for me.
“I had no idea Aric could be this sweet,” I taunted her even more. “Imagine? I rejected him last night, and now this? Unbelievable!”
“Then, enjoy it while it lasts, Isabella. As you well know, men change according to their needs,” she warned me with an evil glint in her eyes.