Diana Diverllie, I was standing at the edge of the execution grounds, heart pumping with excitement and a slight amount of emotion about how the day would end.

I walked, taking a deep breath as I took a path away from the gazes of those staring at me so wildly. I have always been this shy kind of person who never wanted to be noticed. I wanted to live alone and be myself; I guess that wasn't possible. 

I was the princess of the Xaomi's kingdom, the largest pack in North America; it could never have been. 

My ticket out of this suffocating kingdom was the man about to be executed. I was looking for a pawn—someone weak and expendable—to pretend I had a mate. He was perfect—this man with his rugged features, his desperate eyes.

As they led him to the platform, a mixture of emotions passed through me. It was all anger, determination, and a little bit of sadness. I was buried much too long in this kingdom. I had lived so long following our family's traditions. But I'd take the first step today to get my revenge for all those who did wrong to me and to take back my freedom.

I breathed in, trying to reevaluate my decision. Whatever I had to do, I just had to do it quickly and fast. It just had to be that. 

His eyes met mine, and we locked eyes for a moment, and in them, I saw the flicker of hope, the desperation of freedom. It's in his eyes—nothing but a man who wants to be free.

I saw in those eyes someone who was so desperately wanting to be free. I took a deep breath and wasn't sure what my next move was going to be.

Mate!" With a convincing urgency, I shouted and ran towards him. "Don't hurt him! He's mine!"

The guards didn't know what to do. I used the confusion to my advantage and wrapped myself around the man. So if you wish to live, just pretend to be my mate, I whispered in his ear.

I could feel his heart melting, and I could feel his warm breath when he nodded, eyes that showed a small hint of gratitude. He didn't know that he was a pawn in a game of revenge that I planned.

I held him close as they let him go, trying to seem convincing. Some whispered to one another, others gasped in shock, then murmured at the crowd. The Alpha, my father, scanned the situation with a narrowed eye, waiting to see what would happen.

"Diana, what are you doing?" His voice was low, kind of menacing, and he growled.

I let out a faux smile as my lips appeared broadly, and his gaze met mine. 

"I've found my mate, Father. I won't let anyone hurt him," I say, and then. I said defensively. 

I stood my ground, the Alpha's face reddened, and he snarled. I was aware of the rules, untouchable even by the Alpha himself—a mated pair was off-limits. I was willing to do whatever it took to protect this stranger; use him as a shield protecting me from my father's tyranny. I didn't care how much time it took as long as the truth would come out someday. 

The crowd disappeared, and I led my new "mate" out of the execution grounds—my heart was racing—and my nerves were too. I didn't know, at the time, that this was only the tip of a very dangerous game that would have me camping in a field seeking revenge, loving, and being rejected. 

We had just walked out of the alpha himself; it was what I knew that he couldn't do anything. A friend was a friend; if separated from anyone, such a person would be punished by the moon goddess Selene. 

There was this joy that flowed within me, doing something amazing. 

I caught him glaring at me as different questions were visibly flowing through his head. He would understand sooner or later. I giggled as I held him as my life depended on it. 

As we approached the palace, I could feel the weight of my father's instant gaze upon us. He was not pleased, but I didn't care. I had made my move, and now it was time to see it through.

I led my mate to the great hall, where the rest of the pack were gathered; the gaze of their eyes itself made my stay so uncomfortable. 

They watched us with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, their eyes flicking between us. I stood tall, my head held high, as I announced our "union" to the pack.

I could feel the clenching silence that lasted for minutes as I spoke; my voice itself commanded authority. Not because I was a terror, but because I was the daughter of the alpha, one of the largest packs. 

My eyes growled at them all as I looked through the room. The once silent room erupted into a chorus of congratulations and well wishes; however, it was all a facade. I knew deep down in me that it was all a pretence; however, I care less because nothing mattered; the only thing that did was the quest for my freedom. 

I looked into my father's eyes, and all I could see was the wide range of emotion and anger that burned through him; he looked like someone who was going to destroy everything in seconds. I knew my father pretty well—more than any other person could know him. He felt this man was a commoner, and from his eyes, I could see doubt; however, I care less because it didn't matter. 

I held the hand of the man tightly as I swiftly turned backwards before I heard my father's deep baritone voice. 

"Wait...', he ordered his voice, commanding both authority and regard. I felt my feet shiver as I paused in my walk. 

"Any problem, father?" I asked in my voice, trying to gain a stance against his looks, unsure of whatever I would say next. I was still holding the hands of the man next to me tightly when my father's gaze caught up with mine. 

"Diana leave; I would like to have a word with this young man."

"But father, he is..." I was about to complete my sentence when my father raised his hands, his authoritative aura filling the air as I felt

his cold gaze on me. 

"Okay, Father!" my voice shrinking in defeat.