The Alpha's Sinful Affair

Chapter 15:A Trap

Night had fallen as Aria sat cross-legged on the floor of Gareth's daughter’s room. Aria’s eyes are closed as she focuses on the gentle hum of her magic. The air around her seemed to vibrate with anticipation, the shadows cast by the flickering candles dancing across the wall like restless spirits.

She took a deep breath, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air as she began the ritual. The words of incantation flowed from her lips like a river, each word crafted to unlock the secrets of the spirit realm.

As she spoke, the room around her began to blur, the edges of reality growing indistinct. Aria felt herself being pulled into the vision, the familiar sensation of her magic coursing through her veins like liquid fire.

In the vision, Aria saw Emelia, the hunter’s daughter, standing in a cozy kitchen, a warm smile on her face as she helped the innkeeper prepare a meal. The scene was peaceful, the atmosphere filled with the scent of baking bread and roasting meat.

But as Aria watched, the vision shifted, revealing a different truth. She saw the hunter and the innkeeper speaking in hushed tones, their faces twisted in conspiratorial grins. The words ‘bounty’ and ‘valuable’ drifted through the air, making Aria’s heart skip a beat.

The vision shifted again, revealing Asher, his eyes scanning the underbrush as he transformed into a wolf. The hunter’s arrow flew through the air, aimed straight at Aria’s heart, but it pierced her hand. Asher’s swift intervention saved her, his wolf form saving her from being shot at again. And Asher... Asher had missed the innkeeper’s involvement entirely.

Aria’s heart sank, her senses on high alert. She knew she had to get out of there, fast. But as she scrambled to her feet, a blow to the back of her head sent her crashing to the floor, everything going dark.

A while later, Aria’s eyes fluttered open, her head throbbing with pain. She was met with the sight of Gareth and the innkeeper standing over her, their faces twisted in cruel grins. Asher was tied beside her, his eyes locked onto hers with a mixture of concern and regret.

“I told you, I didn't want to do this,” Aria hissed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Asher’s eyes dropped, shame etched on his face. “I’m sorry, Aria. I didn’t know it was a trap.”

Gareth chuckled, his laughter cold and menacing. “You should have been more careful, witch. You fell for our little ruse, hook, line, and sinker.”

The innkeeper stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with malice. “And now, you’re both going to make us a pretty penny.”

Aria’s gaze narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. She knew she had to think fast, come up with a plan to escape before it was too late. But even though she had the power to free herself, she had to know why they were hunted.

“What do you want from us?” Asher growled, his voice low and menacing.

Gareth smiled, his eyes glinting with excitement. “Oh, we want a lot of things. But first and foremost, we want the reward for capturing the infamous Aria.”

Aria’s eyes flashed with anger, but she kept her cool. “Why am I so important?” she asked, her voice laced with a hint of defiance.

The innkeeper’s smile grew wider. “A certain princess has offered a hefty sum for your capture, dead or alive.”

Aria’s brow furrowed. “What princess? I’ve never even met a princess in my life.”

Gareth, the hunter, stepped forward, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Princess Rose Wilder.”

Aria’s expression changed in an instant, her face contorting with anger and hatred. “Rose Wilder,” she spat, the name tasting bitter on the lips.

Asher’s eyes snapped to hers, concerned etched on his face. But before he could ask any questions, he turned to Gareth. “Why have me tied up if I’m not important?”

Gareth chuckled. “You’re not important, per se. But leaving Aria’s mate out to roam free would be unwise.”

Aria’s head whipped around, her eyes blazing with intensity. “What did you mean by Aria’s mate?” she demanded, her voice low and menacing.

The innkeeper’s smile faltered, and Gareth’s eyes darted away, avoiding Aria’s gaze. Asher, however, looked at her with a mixture of fear and curiosity, as if waiting for her to piece together the truth.

Aria’s eyes widened as realization dawned on her. She turned to Asher, her voice barely above. “Is it true? Am I... your mate?”

Asher’s expression was a mix of guilt and longing. “I’m sorry, Aria. I didn’t mean for it to happen. That night, when you saved my life, I imprinted on you. Unintentionally.”

Aria’s head dropped, her long hair cascading around her like a veil. She remained silent, her shoulders slumped in defeat. Gareth and the innkeeper exchanged a look, sensing an opportunity to strike. The hunter crept forward, his dagger glinting in the dim light.

But before he could attack Aria, Asher burst free from his ropes, his eyes blazing with fury. He launched himself at the hunter, taking him down with a fierce growl. The innkeeper joined the fray, her own dagger flashing in the light. Asher fought valiantly, taking down both opponents with ease.

But just as it seemed he had the upper hand, the innkeeper landed a lucky blow, striking Asher with a silver blade. He let out a pained yelp, his body crumpling to the ground.

Aria’s head snapped up, her eyes locking onto the innkeeper with deadly intent. In an instant, she was free from her ropes, her hand closing around the innkeeper’s neck like a vice.

“Don’t you dare,” she hissed, her voice low and menacing.

With a swift motion, she broke the innkeeper’s neck, her body crumpling to the ground.

Aria turned to Gareth, her eyes blazing with fury. The hunter cowered, pleading for his life.

“Please, spare me!” he begged. “I’ll tell you anything! Just don’t kill me!”

Aria’s hand hesitated, her anger faltering for a moment. But then Gareth spoke up, his voice laced with warning.

“Aria, listen to me! Your relationship with Asher is forbidden. The imprinting between you two it’s not meant to be. You have to break it, Aria. You have to stay away from him, you have to stay away.”

Aria’s eyes narrowed, her grip on Gareth’s throat tightening. “What are you talking about?” she snarled.

Gareth’s eyes were wide with fear, but he pressed on, his voice urgent. “Asher’s a wolf shifter, Aria. And you, you’re a witch. Your kind have been at odds for centuries. If you two are together, it will be catastrophic. The balance of power will shift, and the consequences will be disastrous.”

Aria’s face twisted in anger, but Gareth’s words struck a chord within her. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she looked at Asher, lying wounded on the ground.

But before she could respond, Gareth’s expression changed, his eyes pleading once more. “Please, Aria... don’t kill me. I have a daughter, remember. Emelia. I don’t want to abandon her. Please.”

Aria’s grip on Gareth’s throat faltered, her anger dissipating. She looked at him, seeing the fear and desperation in his eyes. And with that, she stayed her hand, sparing his life. But her eyes still blazed with warning, a promise that she would not forget to encounter.

Aria turned back to Asher, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions. She knelt beside him, her hands gently cradling his wounded head.

As she looked at him, she whispered, “I don’t care what they say. I don’t care what the consequences are, you’re mine, Asher. And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

With that, she leaned forward, her lips brushing against Asher’s forehead. She closed her eyes, focusing her energy on healing the wound.

A warm, golden light began to emanate from her hands, enveloping Asher’s body. The silver blade’s dark magic began to recede, replaced by Aria’s gentle soothing power.

As the light faded, Asher’s eyes flickered open, his gaze locking onto Aria’s. He smiled weakly, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Thank you, Aria.”

Aria’s eyes smiled back at him, her voice equally soft. “Anytime, Asher. Anytime.”

Aria helped Asher to his feet, and together they made their way out of Gareth’s home. The hunter watched them leave. As the door closed behind them, Gareth’s expression turned grim. He muttered to himself, his voice low and barely audible.

“They’re doomed. Forbidden love always ends in tragedy. The balance of power will shift, and the consequences will be catastrophic...”

Gareth’s eyes seemed to glaze over, lost in thought. He didn’t notice the figure watching him from the shadows, a figure who had been waiting patiently for the perfect moment to strike.

As Gareth turned to walk away, the figure stepped forward, their eyes fixed intently on the hunter. A low, menacing voice whispered a single word.

“Gareth...”