/-Zara-/

“You can't be serious!” I exclaimed. “What do you mean by I will be getting married tomorrow? I only went out there to represent you because you were nowhere in sight! A servant like me has no business with royalty!” I stated.

“There is no need for you to be so dramatic, Zara,” Sarai sighed.

She thought I was being dramatic? The Luna will have my head if she gets a whiff of this!

“Look, Zara. I already know that my parents will never accept Christoph as my husband. Especially since he is just an omega. That is why I have decided to elope with him. We will travel together to a pack where we can get married and happy out of home,” she said. “And I need you to pull this off.”

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. A part of me was still waiting for the part where she bursts into laughter and tells me that it was all a prank.

But that part never came. Instead, she pulled me to sit on her bed.

“I know this is asking too much of you but this is the point where I need you most, Zara. If I remain here or get married off to some man I don't even know, I will leave an unhappy life. I might even kill myself…”

“No!” I cut in sharply with panic. “Don't say that! You will not take your life for any reason!”

“That is why I need you, Zara. Please make me a happy woman by taking my place. Please… I really love Christoph. I know I haven't told you this but he is my mate. You know how special it is when one finds their mate. The thought of separation will kill me!”

My heart tugged. I always had a soft spot for Sarai, especially since she was always so nice to me.

Getting married off to a stranger in her stead didn't seem as terrifying as the thought of her living a miserable life and eventually committing suicide.

I sucked in a deep breath. “Fine.”

“Really?” She squealed. “You'll do this for me?”

“Yes,” I muttered again. My hands were visibly trembling from fear. I have never done something this risky in my entire life.

“Yessssssss!!!” She screamed, hugging me tightly. “You are best, Zara!”

She peppered my face with kisses that made me laugh for a second, forgetting it all for a moment.

“So what's the plan?” I asked finally, when she settled down. “You know we will both be dead if this scheme is ever uncovered.”

“Trust me, they will never know,” she said confidently. “I have a plan.”

*********************

This is crazy. This is absolutely crazy! I am going to be dead meat.

These were the only thoughts running through my mind as I got into the carriage with Sarai.

The plan was very simple. Once the car started moving, we would switch dresses and jewelry. I will instruct the guards to let her outside the borders while I will continue on my way to the SilverMoon pack.

The plan was perfect because the windows were tinted and there was a blind to seal off the back seat from the driver's view. We swapped dresses quickly and Sarai took my hand again.

“Thank you so much, Zara. I owe you my life,” she said and I let out a small nervous smile.

“It is my duty to always ensure that you are happy, Princess. Please take care of yourself.”

This was most likely the last time I would ever see her. We shared a heartfelt hug just before she alighted.

As soon as Sarai was gone, my nerves kicked in at a rapid state. All that panicking I was supposed to do at the beginning began to settle in.

What the hell was I even thinking, agreeing to this in the first place? But it was too late for all that.

The deed had already been done. I had to prepare myself to face whatever consequence would come my way.

On arrival at the SilverMoon pack, the maids were already lined up to welcome me. The guards opened the car and I stepped out.

I sucked in a deep breath to calm myself. I didn't know anything about the SilverMoon Pack. It was probably because I wasn't educated so I barely knew anything.

I was taken to my room and my jaw dropped at the magnificence of the place. From the size to the furnitures in the building, I could already tell that SilverMoon was many times richer than our pack.

“Is there anything else you need, my lady?” One of the servants asked after they were done moving in my things. “Snacks perhaps? Or maybe lunch?”

“I'm fine, thank you,” I bowed and surprise crossed their faces as they exchanged glances.

I almost smacked myself in the forehead. I wasn't supposed to bow to them, dammit! They exited the room and I finally had time to collect my thoughts.

I changed into something simple. Sarai let me have all her clothes for the act so I didn't have to worry about looking ordinary.

I headed to the door, hoping to take a stroll around the palace when I heard voices and footsteps in the hallways.

“You mean a new Luna has already been brought in?” One said.

“Yes. I heard from the servants that she appears shy and timid, not like the snobbish princesses that have come here in the past.”

My heart skipped a beat. Other people came here?

“I haven't even met her yet but I already feel sorry for her. I wish somebody would just tell her to run before it is too late and she is declared dead or missing.”

I gasped, staggering backwards. What did they mean by dead or missing?

“It won't really make any difference whether you tell her or not. What was she even thinking agreeing to marry Alpha Draven Khaid in the first place?”

That name felt like someone emptied a bottle of cold water on me.

Alpha Draven Khaid.

Who didn't know that man? Even the illiterates like us heard of him. I just didn't know he was Alpha of SilverMoon.

My heart was hitting at a rapid rate. Did Sarai know about this? Is that why she refused to marry him?

Did she send me here innocently or to die in her stead?

My head was blowing hot. That man had twelve Lunas and they said he killed all of them on their night with him, right after the mating ritual.

I don't know how true the rumors were but they said during the full moon, he was a complete beast. A monster who went berserk and tore everyone in sight to shreds without second thoughts.

I couldn't believe that Luna Theresa actually planned to offer her daughter to someone like this. To be killed.

Was money really worth the life of her only child? Yes, Draven was the most feared and wealthiest Alpha across packs. He had the power to destroy and create both packs and resources but I didn't think anyone would be crazy enough to actually want to be invoved with him.

I didn't even know whether to be angry with Sarai or not. But I was terrified. My heart was beating in my ears, my palms were sweaty and my eyes watered.

I didn't want to die like the rest of them. Not in the hands of the man that was supposed to be my husband, at least.

There was only one thing to do.

Escape.

I couldn't leave during the day while people were watching so night-time was perfect.

Evening came a lot sooner than I expected but before I could plan my move, a knock came to my door.

“Who is it?” I asked. “Come in.”

The door opened and the servants trouped in. I sat up in surprise, wondering why there were so many of them.

“What is going on?” I asked.

“We are here to prepare you to meet the Alpha,” one responded and my heart skipped.

“Already?” I blurted before I even realised it. The pity in their eyes was hard to ignore.

“The Alpha demands your presence, my lady. We need to get you ready,” she said again.

Shit! I didn't even have the time to carry out my escape plan.

Think, Zara, think!

“Fine, just wait here. My stomach is acting up again,” I told them quickly and dashed to the bathroom. I locked the door and let out a deep breath.

What to do now… what to do…

I paced the bathroom, thinking, when my eyes suddenly caught the window. To my greatest surprise, it wasn't even barred.

What are the odds?

Thank you, goddess!

I immediately climbed the toilet seat since the window was a little high up. I opened it up slowly. It was wide enough to me to fit in but the problem was that we were on the second floor. I could break a bone or worse off, die.

I pushed my head out and glanced down, expecting to see concrete but it turned out to be a pool.

If I wasn't in a hurry now, I would get on my knees and thank the goddess multiple times because this was too perfect to be a coincidence.

“My lady,” a knock startled me. “Are you okay in there?”

“Yeah…” I answered quickly. “Just give me a few minutes.”

“Okay.”

I climbed the window gradually until I was sitting on it. I glanced around to see if there was anyone in sight but the place was dead silent with no form of life in sight.

Perfect!

I said a quick prayer and let myself drop. It was the minute I hit the pool with a very loud splash that I remembered one very vital thing that should have crossed my mind the minute I saw the pool.

I couldn't swim.