Chapter 5

_Alina's POV_

As I stumbled forward, my heart pounding with fear, I felt myself losing my balance. Panic surged through me as I tumbled forward, expecting to crash onto the hard ground below.

But just as I braced for impact, strong arms wrapped around me, catching me before I hit the ground. I found myself enveloped in a broad, warm embrace, my body pressed against the chest of a stranger.

As I nestled against the stranger's chest, I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my hands. I felt safe in that stranger's arms despite the danger surrounding me. His deep breathing, slow and steady, filled the space between us.

I looked up and found myself staring into the eyes of a remarkably handsome man. His dark hair framed his face, and his piercing green eyes held a depth that seemed to draw me in. I felt an inexplicable attraction towards this mysterious stranger. His presence alone seemed to ease the frantic beating of my heart.

In that moment, time seemed to stand still as we stared at each other. It was as if I knew this man, even though we had never met before. There was a familiarity in his gaze. It was as though we were two pieces of a puzzle, finally finding each other after lifetimes of searching.

His expression softened, and a small, reassuring smile graced his lips. It was as though he could read the fear in my eyes and he was trying to comfort me. Then in a deep voice, he gently said, "There's no need to be afraid. I am your mate. Please, tell me what happened."

His words sent a jolt of shock through me. He was my mate? This seemed too good to be true. I wondered if the moon goddess had truly blessed me with a mate.

But then, doubt crept in. Caleb had also said the same thing to me. How could I trust this man's words? He was a complete stranger and I had learned the hard way that not everyone could be trusted, especially when it came to matters of the heart.

Yet, despite my doubts, there was an undeniable pull between us, a magnetic force that drew me to him. His presence alone seemed to quell the fear and uncertainty that had consumed me moments before. It was as though my heart recognized him, even if my mind struggled to comprehend it.

As I gazed into his piercing green eyes, I realized that my heart was telling me that this was real. That he was indeed my mate. And despite the doubts and fears that lingered in the back of my mind, I couldn't ignore how I felt in his presence.

We continued to stare intensely in each other's eyes and it was starting to get awkward. So, in order to break the tension, I mustered up the courage to speak. "Thank you for saving me," I said softly. "If it were not for you, I would have fallen down."

He offered me a gentle smile. "There is no need to thank me," he said, his voice soft and reassuring. Then, his gaze shifted to the cuts and bruises that marred my skin and his expression hardened. "Who did this to you?"

His question brought back a flood of memories, the fear and desperation of the moments before he had found me. I knew that I could not tell him the truth about what had happened between me and Caleb.

Caleb was the Alpha and he could harm this man if he went against him. I couldn't bear the thought of putting this man in danger because of my own troubles. "I... I... What is your name? I stammered, my voice trembling slightly. It was an attempt to distract him from prying further into the cause of my wounds.

He regarded me with a thoughtful expression, as though he sensed my attempt to change the subject. "My name is Alaric," he replied. "And yours?"

"Alina," I responded, relieved that he had taken the bait. "My name is Alina."

Alaric nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "It's nice to meet you, Alina. I did not expect the moon goddess to bless me with such a pretty mate."

His compliment caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but blush at his words. But before I could respond, however, the tranquility of the moment shattered as the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the night. My heart skipped a beat as several guards emerged from the shadows.

"There she is!" one of them exclaimed, pointing directly at me.

Another guard stepped forward and declared, "I have already informed the Alpha. He is on his way."

I was in big trouble. Alaric and I were surrounded with no means of escape. But as the guards closed in, Alaric remained calm. Though the odds were stacked against us, his demeanor exuded an air of confidence. It was as if he had a plan in his mind and he could easily get us out of this situation.

"Aliiiinaaa!"

As Caleb's voice echoed through the night, my heart sank like a stone. If he laid his hands on me again, it would be far worse than before. And with Alaric by my side, I feared for his safety as well.

As Caleb approached with more guards trailing behind him, his eyes widened in surprise as they landed on Alaric. There was a flicker of recognition in his gaze, as though he hadn't expected to see Alaric here.

"Prince Alaric, what are you doing here?" Caleb asked.

Prince? What did that mean? Was Alaric a prince? If this was true, then the situation was far more complex and dire than I had initially thought. Being the Alpha's mistress had already put my life in grave danger and now, with a prince involved, the stakes had been raised to a whole new level.

"I happened to be passing by and heard some commotion," Alaric said smoothly. "It seems that I arrived just in time."

"Prince Alaric, you don't have to worry about this girl. I will take care of her," Caleb said in an irritated tone.

Caleb's cold smile sent shivers down my spine, and I instinctively clung to Alaric's arm for support. My hands trembled, and my heart raced with fear as Caleb addressed me.

"Alina," Caleb called, his voice dripping with malice. "Come to me."

I hesitated, fear gripping me tightly as I glanced between Caleb and Alaric. Alaric's presence beside me was a comforting anchor but Caleb's authority as the Alpha still held sway over me.

Alaric's grip on my arm tightened slightly. "You don't have to go with him, Alina," he whispered softly. "I will protect you."

His words emboldened me, giving me the courage to stand my ground. But before I could respond, Caleb's voice cut through the night once more, his tone growing more impatient by the second.

"Alina, I won't ask again," he said, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. "Come to me, now."

I knew that I couldn't go back to Caleb, not after what he had done to me. Summoning every ounce of courage I possessed, I squared my shoulders and met Caleb's gaze with defiance. "No," I said, my voice trembling. "I won't go with you. Not after what you have done to me."

Caleb's eyes narrowed as he took a step closer. "You dare to defy me?" he growled, his voice filled with fury. "You will regret this, Alina."

But before Caleb could take another step, Alaric stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of me. It was as though he had understood without a word being spoken that it was Caleb who had hurt me.

"Leave her alone, Caleb," Alaric said, his voice calm but firm. "She is under my protection now."

"Why are you fighting with me over this girl, Prince Alaric?" Caleb demanded. "She is a nobody. She means nothing to you."

Alaric's gaze remained steady in the face of Caleb's hostility. "Watch your tongue, Caleb," he said in a calm yet authoritative voice. "You may think that she is a nobody but she means everything to me. And I will not allow you to harm her any further. I will be taking her away with me."

Caleb's lips curled into a cruel smirk, his tone dripping with mockery. "Your mate? You expect me to believe that? You can't possibly be serious about this."

Despite Alaric's calm demeanor, I could sense the rage simmering beneath the surface. His jaw clenched tightly, his knuckles whitening as he fought to maintain his composure in the face of Caleb's taunts.