I was shocked by Aric's declaration that he still loved me. I furrowed my brow as I looked at him because I waited for him to smile and retract what he had said. But that didn't happen. Instead, he repeated his words.
"I still love you so much. I don't know, I know I messed up our relationship but I can't accept that we're over," Aric said.

"What are you talking about, Aric? What can't you accept? You still have the nerve to be emotional like that," I told him.
"I still love you, Isabella. It's still you that my heart longs for. It's still you," he said.
"Nonsense! How can it still be me when you managed to flirt with another woman while we were still together? And now you're telling me that it's still me your heart beats for? What do you think I am? Stupid?"
"I didn't say you were stupid or easy to fool, but Isabella, listen to me. I can't live without you. I really can't. I still want you to be the Luna of Lancaster. Please, come back to me," Aric pleaded.
"Is it that easy, Aric? After you hurt and cheated on me, you want me to just come back to you like that?"
"I'm willing to do everything. Just come back to me," Aric pleaded with me.

As the man spoke, I felt a bit of pity. However, I suddenly remembered what he had done to me before and I started shaking with anger again. "You know what, Aric. I think it's better if we just stay friends," I told him. "Like before," I added to make it clearer to him.
"I can't stand not having you by my side, Isabella. I've gotten used to always being with you," the man explained.
"Let's say you've gotten used to me because we've been friends since childhood. But Aric, we're not destined for each other anymore," I told him.
"We don't have to follow the Moon Goddess," the man suggested.

"I know that but I don't want to take a risk with you, Aric. I don't want to. It's over. I loved you truly but you didn't value that," I told him.
"Sorry," Aric said in a soft voice.
"Is there really no chance at all?" he asked.
When he asked, I wanted to hurt him more. I wanted to tell him that my heart beats for someone else now. Someone else I love, and that is his friend, Luke Skywalker. Speaking of Luke, I really need to talk to him about the money. A large amount has been deposited into my account.
"I’m sorry, Aric. You will find someone better than me," I said, and he just looked at me.
I don’t know why his gaze was so intense. And then, his eyes narrowed while looking at me. Was Aric angry? Why would he be angry? When he slept with another woman, he should have known the end of our relationship.
"I’m begging you, Isabella," said Aric, and suddenly my eyes widened when he knelt before me.
"What are you doing? Get up from there!" I ordered him, but he remained kneeling in front of me, pleading for me to come back.
I bent down and touched his shoulders, then helped him to stand up. Whatever happened between us in the past, I truly loved him. And I didn't want to see him suffering. I guess I am a martyr because I still wanted him to be okay and happy, even though he hurt me.
"Don’t make it harder on yourself, Aric. Just accept that it’s over. It’s been months since I turned down your proposal to be the Luna of Lancaster, Aric. In the months we haven’t seen each other, I know you've been with other women. I've also dated others," I told him.
"Isabella, it's still you whom I love. I tried to like other women, but it's still you that my heart looks for," he insisted.
"We can’t be together, Aric. Besides, I’m going to marry another man soon," I said, and he was shocked by what I said.
"To Luke?"
"No. To another man, but I don’t care who it is. I'll do everything for Pembroke," I told him, and his eyebrows slightly furrowed.
"Do you think you can protect Pembroke now, Isabella?"
Actually, I was surprised by his question because it seemed to have another meaning. I furrowed my brow as I looked at him, waiting for him to speak again. But the man fell silent. Why did he ask that?
"My dad is still alive, Aric, and it's not yet my time to take over his duties. But soon, Pembroke will be mine too, so I've strived to be worthy of Pembroke."
"I see. But I'll ask you again, Isabella. Don't you feel anything for me anymore? Think about the times we were together and how much we loved each other. One more thing, Pembroke will be secured if it forms an alliance with Lancaster," he tried to convince me.
"I know, but I believe in my ability to be a leader for Pembroke," I insisted.
"Which pack is your future husband from?"
"He’s human but wealthy. A billionaire, according to Daddy," I said.
"Human? Did you agree to marry a human? Why? Pembroke will only become weaker by what you're doing!" Aric objected.
"Don't worry about Pembroke, Aric. I should be the one worrying about our pack. Just focus on Lancaster," I suggested.
"What if a pack attacks you? Can you fight and defend Pembroke, Isabella?"
"What are you saying? An attack? Who would do that? My dad doesn't have enemies and we've been at peace here for years."
"I will," Aric answered, which made me furrow my brow even more.
"What do you mean?" I asked the man, but before he could answer, he called his warriors and I was shocked to see several warriors from Lancaster approaching.