The Alpha's Sinful Affair

Chapter 7: A Lucky Encounter

Asher grunted in pain as he struggled to stay awake, fighting the excruciating pain from the silver bullets as they ate him up from the inside out, faster than anything imaginable.

But as he struggled to stay awake, there was someone else hidden behind the trees. Someone who had witnessed the whole scene, someone who saw a brother shoot his own brother. Someone who has felt betrayed by someone they trusted.

Aria walked out slowly, her cloak covering her face. She reached Asher, bent down to look at his shot wounds. Asher was sweating profusely as he continued moaning in pain.

“Relax,” Aria said as she placed both of her palms gently on his wound. She closed her eyes and focused her energy.

“Argentum expello, vulnera sano. Luna’s potentia, in me habitat. Fili lunae, sana te ipsum,” she whispered.

As Aria spoke those words, a soft moonlight glow emanated from her hands. The silver bullets began to dissolve as their toxic reaction receded from Asher’s body. Her magic wove a gentle soothing spell, coaxing Asher’s wounds to close.

Asher’s eyes flickered open, his gaze weak but determined. With strong effort, he turned his head to see who had healed him. As his eyes locked onto Aria’s, in that instant, time froze.

In the fleeting moment, Asher’s werewolf instincts recognized Aria as his mate. The imprinting was instantaneous, a primal bond forging between them. Aria, unaware of the ancient magic at work, felt an inexplicable jolt, as if her very soul had awakened.

Asher’s eyes never left Aria’s, both eyes burning with a newfound intensity. Though his body remained weak, his spirit had discovered a newfound anchor. His mate, Aria.

And just like that, Asher fell into a deep sleep.

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

Asher slept for days. Despite being healed, the influence from the silver bullets had sent his body into shock.

A year ago, Aria ran away from Ravenswood. She stole the palace messenger’s horse and rode till she couldn’t ride anymore. Found a cave in the woods and spent a night. Night turned to a few days. A few days turned to weeks, months, until it became a year. Yet, she remained in the cave with no one else but the horse she had stolen.

She had gone hunting and stumbled upon a sin. A brother stabbing his own brother in the back for power. She had saved this man, and yet someone he felt different. She brought him into her cave, took care of him till the day he woke up.

Asher woke up, his full strength had been restored. He lay on the floor, his eyes scanning the environment as he tried to remember what had happened to him. He didn’t see anything or anyone.

Asher sat up, his hands resting on his knees as he lowered his head. Suddenly, the sound of a horse trotting made him rise to his feet. He rushed outside the cave, and that’s when his eyes met Aria. At that moment, he remembers what had happened.

Memories of Rowan shooting him and Aria coming to heal him flood his mind, but what stood out was how he instantly felt the sudden connection with her. A connection that wanted him to always be close to her, to protect, care, and love her. His werewolf instinct had found his mate, and he had successfully imprinted on her.

“Good, you’re awake,” Aria said as she came down from the horse.

“I... I, yes. I’m awake,” Asher spoke, his voice trembling at the sight of Aria.

“That’s very good,” Aria said, stroking the horses’ hair. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you woke up.”

“Oh! It’s fine,” Asher said as he walked towards her.

“No... You must’ve been scared, worried maybe.”

“I doubt there’s anything that would scare me,” Asher smirked.

“Good, you feel that way,” Aria smiled. “Can you please help me get these things inside?”

“Sure, of course,” Asher answered immediately. He rushed to carry the woven basket filled with roots, herbs, and some fruits as Aria led the horse away while she fed it some apples.

“I’m Asher Blackthorn,” Asher said.

“Aria Flynn,” Aria said as she walked away from the horse and sat on a rock. “I’m sorry about what happened to you.”

Asher walked towards her and sat on a rock beside Aria’s. “You didn’t shoot me, don’t apologize for the evil of someone else.”

Aria made a quick glance at Asher and turned to look back at the horse.

“Were you the one who scared him away?” Asher asked.

“What?” Aria asked, confused.

“The wind that night was really strong. It was so unnatural, it scared Rowan away. Are you the one responsible for that?” Asher asked again.

Aria sighed. “Yes.”

“Oh! Do you mind me asking who you are?” Asher asked, his voice low and soft.

“I don’t want to talk about that.”

“Will you tell me if I told what I am?”

“I know what you are, Asher Blackthorn. You are a werewolf shifter, an alpha at that,” Aria said.

“You are right about everything except one,” Asher chuckled.

“And what might that be?” Aria asked.

“I am no alpha. I am just an omega. An outcast, outsider if you must, but nothing like an alpha,” He chuckled again.

“But you are. An alpha,” Aria argued.

“And how would you know that? You are just a mere healer.”

“No, I’m not.” Aria sighed. “I’m nothing but a mere healer. I was born by a true grand witch, the last of her kind. I possess innate magical abilities, but also trained in the traditions of witchcraft, which allows me to tap into both sources of power.”

“A sorceress? A witch?”

“I want to believe you would be mature about this and not tell anyone about my abilities. The world is very cruel, my kind.”

“I would never do anything that would put you in harm’s way. You saved my life, Aria. I’m indebted to you forever,” Asher said, a knee on the floor with his hand resting on it, his head lowered.

“Please, stop. I don’t have any desire to be worshipped.”

“I’m sorry, Aria. Never meant to disrespect you.”

“It’s fine.” Aria sighed. She stood up and walked a little further away from the rock she had sat on as she stared at the forest ahead. “You should be strong enough by now to continue your journey back to your pack.”

“I can’t, not yet at least,” Asher murmured.

“But why? You have to return.” Aria said as she turned around, her expression filled with concern.

“Rowan must’ve returned to the pack by now and has already told them about my death. Father would host a search party for my body, but the scent of the silver bullets and their fragments would make it impossible for them to get past where I was shot. They would return home and host a funeral for me even though my body is still missing, and I would be forgotten. Asher Blackthorn, the omega. Dead and forgotten.” Asher smirked. “That’s my story now.”

“You can’t stay here,” Aria said.

“And why is that?” Asher asked.

“I have had enough of human interaction, and I have a kingdom to conquer,” Aria said. “You are an alpha, and an alpha is not supposed to be away from its pack.”

After Aria spoke those words, she stormed inside the cave, stopping Asher from following after her.