Chapter 7

_Alaric's POV_

I felt like the ground had crumbled beneath my feet as I heard those words from Alina. A wave of disbelief and sorrow washed over me. How could she reject our bond, the special connection created by the moon goddess herself? My heart felt heavy with the weight of her decision, and every fiber of my being screamed in protest.

"I... I don't understand, Alina," I stammered. "Why would you say such a thing?"

Alina's gaze remained fixed on the ground, her expression filled with anguish as she struggled with her decision. "I... I just can't be with you, Alaric," she murmured. "Please, just leave."

I couldn't accept this, not when I knew the depth of my feelings for her, the bond that connected us on a level deeper than mere words could express.

"No, Alina," I insisted, stepping closer to her. "I won't leave you. I refuse to let you go, especially not like this."

I could see the tears in her eyes as she met my gaze, the pain reflected in her expression mirroring the ache in my own heart. "You don't understand, Alaric," she whispered. "I can't be with you. It's for the best."

But I shook my head. "No, Alina. I won't accept this. I will prove to you, to everyone, that my love for you is real. I won't give up on us, not now, not ever."

Her expression softened slightly at my words. "Alaric, please..." she began, but I cut her off with a gentle touch to her cheek.

"I promise you, Alina," I vowed. "I will prove to you that we belong together. Just give me a chance to show you how much you mean to me."

As Alina's tears continued to fall, I felt a pang of anguish grip my heart. I couldn't bear to see her in such pain, but I also couldn't fathom the thought of letting her slip away from me.

"Alina, what do you want?" I asked, my voice filled with concern. "Why are you so insistent on pushing me away?"

Her breath hitched as she struggled to find the words to explain. "Alaric, if I go with you, if I defy Caleb, he will make Juliet pay the price," she explained. "He won't spare her, and I can't live with that on my conscience."

As Alina spoke of Juliet, I realized that this woman held a significant place in Alina's heart. If Juliet's safety was at stake, then I knew that I had to act.

"Alina, I understand," I said in a soft voice. "But I won't let Caleb harm Juliet or anyone else. We'll take her with us."

Alina's eyes widened in surprise. "But Alaric, you can't," she protested, her voice filled with uncertainty.

I shook my head, determined to reassure her. "I can, and I will," I affirmed, reaching out to gently grasp her hand. "I am the prince, and Caleb cannot defy my orders. He may try, but ultimately, he will have no choice but to comply."

"Alina, you have to tell me the truth about who hurt you. I need to know so that I can ensure justice is served. I won't let anyone get away with harming you."

But Alina remained silent, her eyes fixed on the ground as she struggled with her emotions. It was clear that she was carrying a heavy burden, one that she was not ready to share.

As I stood there, I could feel Leo roaring within my mind, his fury palpable as he demanded vengeance for the mistreatment of our mate. He urged me to take immediate action, to hunt down those who had harmed her and make them pay dearly.

But even as Leo's rage coursed through me, I knew that succumbing to it would only drive Alina further away. She was already afraid, already struggling with the complexities of our bond, and the last thing she needed was for me to unleash the full force of my wolf's wrath.

"Leo, calm yourself," I whispered inwardly, attempting to soothe the primal instincts raging within me. "We must tread carefully. Alina is already frightened. We cannot afford to scare her away."

As I sought to calm Leo's fierce instincts, his growls softened slightly, but he still felt the desire to protect and claim our mate. He yearned to take immediate action, to whisk Alina away to the safety of the palace and complete the mating bond, solidifying our connection for eternity.

Turning my attention back to Alina, I offered her a reassuring smile. "Alina, I will protect you," I promised, squeezing her hand gently. "I won't let anyone harm you, and we'll take things one step at a time, together."

"Come with me," I urged gently, lightly tugging on her hand, but she remained fixed in place, her gaze haunted by fear.

Seeing her hesitation, I softened my approach, stepping closer and enveloping her in a reassuring embrace. "You don't have to be afraid," I murmured soothingly, my voice a gentle caress against her ear. "I'll protect you. Caleb won't be able to harm you, not as long as I'm by your side."

For a moment, Alina trembled within my embrace, her walls crumbling as she allowed herself to lean into the warmth of my touch. It was a small victory, a fragile step forward in our journey together.

"Trust me," I whispered as I pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. "I won't let anything happen to you. You're safe with me."

Slowly, Alina's tense posture began to relax, and she allowed herself to be led by my gentle guidance. As we walked side by side, I could feel Caleb's gaze burning into my back, his fury evident even from a distance. But I paid him no heed, knowing that as the prince, my authority surpassed his, and he could do nothing to stop me from taking Alina with me.

As we reached the waiting car, the driver promptly opened the door, and I gestured for Alina to enter first. She hesitated, her eyes darting nervously between me and the vehicle. It was clear that she was uneasy, and the thought that she might be afraid of me tore at my heart.

"Alina, please," I murmured softly, trying to reassure her. "You're safe with me. I won't let anything happen to you."

Reluctantly, she nodded and climbed into the car, her movements stiff and cautious. I followed suit, settling in beside her, acutely aware of the tension that lingered between us.

As the car pulled away from Caleb's pack, I turned to Alina, determined to ease her apprehension. "Who is Juliet?" I asked gently.

Alina's expression grew somber as she spoke of Juliet, revealing her to be Caleb's sister. The anguish in her voice was unmistakable as she explained that Caleb would never willingly let his sister go.

"Don't worry," I reassured her, taking her hand in mine. "Tomorrow, I will negotiate with Caleb. He won't be able to refuse my demands. I'll ensure Juliet's safety, no matter what it takes."

My mate seemed to be very tired. Her eyelids drooped with weariness, and she leaned her head against the soft cushion of the car seat. It was clear that the emotional turmoil had taken its toll on her, leaving her drained and in need of rest.

I reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear with a gentle touch. Leaning closer, I pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head, my lips lingering briefly against her silky hair. "Sleep well, Alina," I whispered softly. "I'll watch over you."

As I settled back into my seat, my gaze wandered to the window beside my mate. The dim moonlight cast a soft glow over the landscape, illuminating the quiet streets as we drove away from Caleb's territory.

But then, amidst the shadows, I caught a glimpse of a figure—a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Alina. My heart skipped a beat as I leaned forward, my eyes widening in disbelief. Could it be?

"Stop the car!" I commanded urgently, my voice cutting through the silence of the night. The driver complied, bringing the vehicle to a halt with a gentle screech of tires against the pavement.

Without hesitation, I flung open the door and stepped out into the cool night air, my senses alert and attuned to any sign of the mysterious woman's presence. But as I scanned the area around the car, there was no one to be found.

I furrowed my brow in confusion. I was certain that I had seen her, the woman who looked just like Alina. But now, she had vanished without a trace.

"Did you see anyone?" I questioned the driver.

The driver shook his head, his expression one of bewilderment. "No, Your Highness. There was no one there."

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Had my eyes deceived me? Or was there something more to this strange encounter?

Turning back to the car, I glanced at my mate, her form still huddled against the seat, her breathing steady and serene in the soft glow of the moonlight. For a moment, I considered waking her, sharing with her the strange occurrence that had just unfolded.

But something held me back. She was very tired and I should not disturb her. With a sigh, I closed the door and returned to my seat, the mystery of the disappearing woman lingering in the back of my mind.