Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 103

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CHAPTER 103

The following morning, the packhouse was unusually still.

Outside, the sky was a pale, icy gray, carrying the unmistakable chill of early winter. Most of the pack remained wrapped in sleep, but I was wide awake, unable to find rest. My eyelids barely met throughout the night.

Every time I closed my eyes, the image of the silver ring haunted me — and alongside it, my mother’s cold, unforgiving gaze.

Arlo had promised to begin tracing the ring’s origins at dawn, so I waited in the war room long before he arrived. The large table was spotless once again, the map spread out neatly across its surface. A faint aroma of herbs and metal lingered in the air, remnants of the energy tools Arlo had used earlier.

A few minutes later, Asher entered, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “You’re up early, considering how fast you passed out last night,” he murmured quietly.

I offered him a weary smile. “Same to you.”

He shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep. The bond kept buzzing all night. Something’s close.”

Before I could respond, Arlo appeared, carrying his pack and a small wooden box. His expression was serious, eyes already sharp and focused. “Morning,” he said briskly. “Let’s uncover what this ring is hiding.” He set the box down and carefully pulled out several crystals, arranging them in a circle. The moment they touched the table, a subtle hum filled the air. Then he unwrapped the ring and placed it in the center.

A faint blue light flickered from the stone embedded in the ring.

Arlo inhaled deeply and whispered a few quiet incantations. The crystals glowed brighter, and thin lines of light spread out like cracks in glass, tracing paths across the map toward various points. Many lines faded quickly, leading nowhere, but one burned with a steady pulse, like the beat of a heart.

It stopped just outside the main house.

Asher leaned in, his voice low. “That’s still inside pack territory.”

Arlo nodded slowly. “Yes. The ring’s energy is connecting to someone here. It’s not leading away—it’s being fed from within.”

A cold shiver ran down my spine. “You mean someone in the pack is helping them?”

Arlo didn’t look up. “Yes. Someone close.”

My gaze fixed on the glowing spot on the map. It marked the west wing—the area where most of the senior warriors lived.

I didn’t want to believe it, but that was where his room was.

Arlo began jotting down notes, tracing the energy flow with a quill. “The connection… whoever it is, they’re using the ring like a bridge. It’s not direct magic, but it’s enough to channel energy back to your parents. Someone’s carrying a piece of their power.”

Asher frowned. “Could it be an object? Maybe something hidden?”

Arlo nodded. “Possibly. Or someone might be wearing a charm or necklace linked to them.”

My stomach twisted painfully. “Lilly,” I whispered.

Asher turned toward me, eyes sharp. “You think it’s her?”

I nodded slowly. “She appeared right when the shadows grew stronger. She’s always had a way of getting what she wants—and she hated me. If my parents offered her something—power, money, revenge—she’d take it without hesitation.”

Arlo remained silent for a moment, then followed the line of light again until it pulsed faintly over Gage’s room. “There’s only one way to be sure,” he said finally. “We check.”

We moved quickly and quietly down the hall. The packhouse was beginning to stir—voices echoed softly, doors creaked open, and the scent of breakfast drifted through the air. But we didn’t pause.

When we reached Gage’s door, laughter spilled out—a soft, sweet sound, deceptively innocent.

I glanced at Asher. He gave a single nod and stepped forward.

Asher knocked firmly. “Gage? It’s us.”

There was a brief pause before footsteps approached. Gage opened the door, half-dressed, surprise flickering across his face. “Hey. What’s going on?”

Behind him stood Lilly, wrapped in one of his shirts, her hair tousled but her smile flawless. “Everything okay?” she asked, her voice light.

Arlo wasted no time. He lifted one of his crystals and held it between them. The glow intensified the moment it pointed toward her.

The color drained from Gage’s face. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Arlo’s tone was calm but icy. “It means she’s carrying shadow energy.”

Lilly blinked, feigning innocence. “Excuse me?”

The crystal pulsed brighter, almost painfully.

“Drop the act, Lilly. What did they promise you?”

Her smile faltered for a split second—just enough for me to catch the truth.

Gage turned to her. “Lilly?”

She took a step back, her expression twisting. “You don’t understand,” she said quickly. “They came to me after I left the pack. They said they could help me. They said I could be strong.”