Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 113

**CHAPTER 113**

On that fateful morning, I found myself perched on the steps of the porch, my gaze lost in the gentle sway of the trees that stood tall in the distance. The world around me felt eerily still, as if it held its breath in anticipation. Inside, Arlo lay resting, still recovering from the exhausting battle that had drained him both physically and mentally. Asher stood beside me, leaning against the railing, his presence a steady anchor amidst the brewing storm. His gray eyes were sharp, constantly scanning the treeline, alert for any sign of movement.

“You feel it too?” I whispered, my voice barely rising above the rustle of leaves.

He nodded once, a grim acknowledgment that sent a shiver down my spine. “They’re coming. It’s like the air is warning us,” he replied, his tone grave and serious.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry as I turned my attention back to the packhouse. Dennis and Petra were busy organizing the warriors, their movements purposeful and urgent. Nearby, Gage and Lilly were engaged in conversation near the training field, but there was something unsettling about the way they stood—Lilly’s posture was tense, her eyes darting as if she sensed a danger that eluded the rest of us.

Just then, Arlo emerged from the main door, rubbing his wrist where the silver mark still glowed faintly, a reminder of the bond that connected him to the shadows. “They’re close,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “Too close.”

No sooner had the words left his lips than the sky darkened ominously. Shadows began to stir within the trees—no longer simply walking, but gliding, merging into one another, forming long, sinuous shapes that slithered toward the packhouse.

“Positions!” Dennis roared, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. “Protect the borders!”

All around us, wolves shifted into action, their howls echoing through the clearing like a haunting symphony. I reached for Asher’s hand, feeling the warmth of his energy pulse through me, grounding me in that moment of chaos.

Then, like a dam breaking, the shadows struck.

They surged from the forest like a relentless tide, twisting and coiling through the clearing. Their whispers filled the air—words I couldn’t decipher, yet they resonated deep within my chest, cold and dark, scraping at the edges of my sanity.

Arlo staggered, clutching his mark as if it were a lifeline. “They’re calling to me again!” he gasped, panic lacing his voice.

Without hesitation, Asher and I grasped him firmly, channeling our energy through the bond we shared, desperate to drown out the insistent pull. “Focus!” I cried, urgency flooding my words. “You’re with us! Stay with us!”

Gage appeared at our side, his golden energy flaring to life as he slammed one of the shadows back with a fierce determination. “We need to keep them away from the house!” he shouted, his voice a rallying cry.

Dennis and the warriors fought valiantly near the border, their claws slicing through the misty forms with fierce resolve. Yet, for every shadow they vanquished, two more emerged, relentless and hungry. The ground trembled beneath the weight of the attack, a reminder of the chaos that surrounded us.

“They’re too many!” Petra’s voice rang out from across the clearing, filled with desperation.

Lilly’s scream pierced the turmoil. “Gage! Behind you!”

He spun around, unleashing a wave of golden light that struck one of the creatures square in the chest. It dissolved into nothingness, but when the smoke cleared, my heart dropped. Lilly stood before the packhouse, her hands glowing with a sinister black energy.

I froze, dread pooling in my stomach. “No…”

Asher’s voice sliced through the tension. “Trinity—look!”

The shadows weren’t attacking her; they were circling her, a dark halo of protection.

Arlo gasped, realization dawning in his eyes. “She’s the one. She’s helping them!”

Lilly turned her head slowly, her eyes burning like embers. “You never understood, Trinity. You never knew what they promised,” she said, her voice dripping with malice.

Gage stumbled back, his golden light wavering. “Lilly—what have you done?”

A cruel, hollow smile spread across her face. “They offered me freedom. Power. More than you or your little bond could ever give.”

The ground split open beneath her feet, a rush of dark energy spilling forth and spreading like wildfire. The shadows surged forward once more, emboldened by the energy she unleashed.

Dennis roared commands, but even he was being pushed back now. The entire pack found themselves surrounded, trapped in a desperate struggle.

Panic clawed at my insides. “We can’t hold them!” I cried, my voice tinged with fear.

Asher seized my arm, his grip firm and reassuring. “We can. You can. You have to.”

I shook my head, doubt creeping in. “Not enough power—”

“Yes, there is,” Arlo interjected suddenly, his voice steady. “Your bloodline, Trinny. Where our power comes from. The energy you used before. The one that comes from you alone. That’s what they fear. That’s what they’re here for.”

My heart raced, pounding in my chest like a drum. I could feel it—the energy coursing through my veins, the mark on my chest pulsing with a life of its own. That strange pull I had always fought to control was now begging to be unleashed.

Lilly raised her hand, summoning another wave of shadows. “You think you can stop what’s already begun?” she taunted. “Your parents wanted this, Trinity! They made you what you are!”

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