Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 111

**The Day He Forgot He Hated Me**

The packhouse felt strangely altered in the wake of the bond, a shift palpable even in the brightness of day. The light seemed less vibrant, as if a shroud of gloom had settled over everything. The air was thick with the lingering scents of burnt candles and aged wood, mingling with the faint, acrid tang of sweat that still clung to the walls from the tumultuous night before.

Arlo sat in solitude at the edge of the training field, his posture defeated, shoulders hunched as he stared intently at his hands. The faint silver mark etched on his wrist glimmered softly, pulsing rhythmically like a heartbeat, a sign of something significant that was now a part of him. It felt eerie, out of place—not just for him but for anyone in the pack.

I lingered a few steps away, standing beside Asher, allowing him the space to process. Words were unnecessary; we simply observed, the weight of the moment hanging heavily in the air.

“He’s… different,” Asher finally murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “The bond did something to him. It saved him from the shadow, but it also… changed him.”

I nodded slowly, a sense of unease creeping into my chest. “I can feel it too. He’s still Arlo, but there’s something else lurking within him now.”

Just then, Gage and Lilly emerged from the packhouse together. Gage had his arm draped protectively around Lilly’s shoulder, but the usual laughter was conspicuously absent. Instead, a serious tension had replaced the joy that had once filled the air. Lilly, despite her usual sweetness, appeared as though she had been running through the dark all night, her eyes wide and alert.

“Did you manage to sleep at all?” Gage asked Arlo gently, his tone softening as he approached.

Arlo hesitated, rubbing his wrists almost nervously. The silver lines beneath his skin pulsed faintly, a silent reminder of the bond. “A little,” he finally replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “But it keeps me awake… like it’s whispering.”

Asher’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing with concern. “Whispering what?”

“I don’t know,” Arlo confessed, his voice trembling. “I can’t make out the words, just feelings. Cold… hungry… angry.”

A lump formed in my throat as I recalled the sensation that had washed over me during the bonding. It was the shadow’s energy, still clinging to him, attempting to reclaim its hold.

Just then, Dennis appeared behind us, his face etched with worry. “I’ve been keeping an eye on him,” he said quietly, his voice heavy with concern. “The bond you created has stabilized him for now, but he’s not out of danger. That mark… it’s unique. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s stronger than yours, and it links him to the rest of you permanently.”

“What does that mean?” I asked, my heart racing as I felt a tightening in my chest.

“It means,” Dennis said slowly, as if weighing his words carefully, “that if the shadow returns, it will target the bond. It won’t just go after him. It will come for all of you.”

I glanced at Asher, whose jaw was clenched tight, hands balled into fists. “We’ll be ready,” he declared, more to himself than to me, determination lacing his voice.

Arlo lifted his gaze, his gray eyes softening as he spoke, “I… I don’t want to hurt anyone. Not now. Not ever.”

“You won’t,” I assured him firmly, my voice steady. “We’re not going to let that happen. You’re part of this family now. You’re bonded to us.”

A small, weak smile appeared on his lips. “Thanks.”

The rest of the morning passed in a quiet haze as we observed him. I remained close, my hand brushing against his occasionally, a silent reminder that the bond was real, that he wasn’t alone in this. Asher stood beside me, his presence protective yet silent.

Gage and Lilly were harder to read. They trained together, but the playful energy that once defined their interactions had vanished. Gage kept glancing at Arlo, his energy flickering with concern whenever Arlo moved or twitched. Lilly stayed close, but her eyes roamed the field and the shadows of the forest beyond, alert and calculating.

Asher leaned in closer, his voice low. “We still don’t know why she’s back. Do you trust her?”

I shook my head, my instincts flaring. “No. But she hasn’t done anything yet. We have to wait and watch.”

Gage approached us, wiping sweat from his forehead. “She’s not doing anything wrong. You need to stop looking at her like she’s a threat.”

I shot him a glare, frustration bubbling inside me. “I’m not staring. I’m protecting Arlo. And you. And everyone.”

He laughed, though it didn’t reach his eyes, a hollow sound that echoed in the air. “Fine. But don’t make it personal.”

Asher shot me a sidelong glance, his expression serious. “It’s always personal.”

The afternoon dragged on, the training continuing but the atmosphere heavier than usual, as if an unseen weight pressed down on us all.

Even the younger wolves cast wary glances at Arlo’s silver mark. Some wore expressions of nervousness, others curiosity, and a few were simply afraid. I couldn’t blame them—I felt it too.

Later, I found Arlo alone in the library, flipping through his notes, though his eyes seemed distant, unfocused. He kept rubbing his wrist, the silver mark pulsing faintly beneath his touch.

“You need to stop scratching,” I said softly, settling down beside him.

“I can’t,” he admitted, frustration evident in his voice. “It itches… burns… it feels alive.”

I reached for his hand, intertwining my fingers with his. “It is alive. But it’s tied to us now. We’re stronger than whatever’s inside you.”

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