Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 114

**The Day He Forgot He Hated Me by Evangeline Marrow**
**CHAPTER 114**

When consciousness finally crept back to me, it brought with it an overwhelming wave of discomfort. My head throbbed mercilessly, my body felt as if it had been trampled by a herd of wild horses, and my chest burned with a fierce intensity that left me gasping for relief. The world around me was enveloped in an eerie silence, broken only by the gentle murmur of voices and the rhythmic patter of rain against the window.

I blinked slowly, the effort feeling monumental, and attempted to prop myself up. But before I could rise, a firm hand pressed gently against my shoulder, urging me back down.

“Easy,” Asher murmured, his voice low and gravelly, as if he hadn’t rested in an eternity. I turned my head to meet his gaze, and the sight of him struck me. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, stubble decorated his jawline, and a profound weariness lingered in his expression that spoke volumes of the past days.

“How long was I out?” I managed to whisper, my voice barely more than a breath.

“Three days,” he replied, his tone laced with concern. “You scared everyone half to death.”

A shaky breath escaped my lips as the weight of his words settled upon me. “The shadows?” I asked, fear creeping into my heart.

“Gone,” he assured me, his voice steady. “For now.”

I took in my surroundings, realizing we were in the medical wing of the packhouse. The air was infused with a faint aroma of herbs mixed with antiseptic, a reminder of the healing that had taken place. Outside the door, I could hear the soft shuffle of footsteps, the hushed movements of others who were still on edge, still processing the aftermath of our recent battles.

Just a few moments later, Arlo entered, cradling a steaming cup of tea in his hands. His wrist was wrapped in a bandage, a stark reminder of the battle we had faced, where the mark had burned through his skin. He offered me a tired smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You look less like a ghost today,” he joked, attempting to lighten the mood.

I attempted a laugh, but it came out as a weak chuckle. “That’s a start, I guess.”

He handed me the cup with care, his expression earnest. “Drink. It’ll help you regain your strength faster.”

The tea was bitter on my tongue, but it radiated warmth through my body, a soothing balm against the lingering chill of exhaustion.

In the days that followed, I surrendered to rest. Asher remained a steadfast presence by my side, never straying far. Arlo immersed himself in the library, poring over ancient texts about shadow realms and seals, driven by a determination to understand our enemies. Meanwhile, Dennis tirelessly mobilized the pack, orchestrating the rebuilding of what had been lost in the chaos.

Lilly was kept under close watch, her fate uncertain. Gage had fallen into a silence that spoke volumes. I caught a glimpse of him once, standing outside my window, his gaze lost in the depths of the forest, a portrait of guilt that was consuming him from within.

Finally, when I felt strong enough to stand on my own two feet, I joined Asher outside near the training field. The air was crisp and invigorating, and for the first time in what felt like ages, the sunlight bathed me in a gentle warmth that felt almost foreign.

“Feels strange,” I remarked, stretching my stiff muscles. “Like everything’s quiet again.”

Asher nodded, his expression serious. “Too quiet.”

We both understood the unspoken truth behind his words. In our world, peace was often fleeting, a mere illusion that could shatter at any moment.

That evening, as I sat close to the flickering fire with Arlo, an unsettling shift in the atmosphere caught my attention. It was the same cold pressure I had felt before every shadow attack, a warning that sent a shiver down my spine.

Arlo’s eyes darted toward the window, his voice barely above a whisper. “They’re not back,” he said, almost to himself. “It’s something else.”

Then, a voice echoed through the packhouse, a voice I hadn’t heard in years, sending a chill through my very core.

“Trinity.”

The sound froze me in place, my heart racing in my chest.

I turned slowly, dread pooling in my stomach. At the entrance of the main hall stood my adoptive parents—the very ones who had raised me, deceived me, and sought to manipulate me. Their eyes, calm and almost tender, belied the raw power that radiated from them like an electric current.

In an instant, Dennis and Asher were there, positioning themselves protectively in front of me. The atmosphere in the packhouse shifted, silence falling over the gathered members.

“Stay back,” Dennis warned, his voice firm. “You’re not welcome here.”

My father offered a faint smile, one that felt disingenuous. “We didn’t come to fight, Dennis. We came to finish what we started.”

My mother’s gaze locked onto mine, and for the first time, I glimpsed something almost human in her eyes. “Trinny, you have to let us do this. The shadows are bound to our blood. We brought them into this world… only we can end them.”

A tightness gripped my throat. “You had your chance before. You chose power instead.”

My mother stepped forward, her voice trembling. “We made a mistake. A grave one. But we can rectify it now, if you allow us.”

Asher’s growl was low and menacing, a warning that sent shivers down my spine. “You’re not touching her.”

My father regarded him with a calm demeanor, though weariness was etched into his features. “You think we’d harm her? She’s the reason we’re still alive.”

The tension in the packhouse was palpable. Every warrior stood ready, prepared to defend me at a moment’s notice. Yet, deep within me—perhaps it was instinct or the bond we shared—I sensed they weren’t lying.

“Let them speak,” I finally said, my voice steady despite the chaos within me.

Asher didn’t like it, but he nodded, remaining close by my side.

My father’s voice was soft as he continued. “When we created the first seal, it wasn’t strong enough. It required balance—light and dark, blood and bond. You are that balance, Trinny. But for it to hold forever, we must sacrifice what remains of us.”

A sharp ache filled my chest. “You mean—”

My mother nodded, her expression pained. “Our lives. The shadows can’t be destroyed, only sealed within the energy that birthed them. If we merge our essence with the seal, the door will close forever.”

Arlo frowned, concern etched on his face. “But you’ll die.”

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