Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 118

**The Day He Forgot He Hated Me by Evangeline Marrow 118**

In the days that followed, a sense of stillness enveloped the packhouse, but it was a heavy stillness, thick with unspoken truths rather than the threat of danger. Lupa had made the decision to remain with us for a time. Dennis assigned her one of the guest rooms on the top floor, isolated from the others, and though no one vocalized their concerns, the subtle shift in atmosphere was palpable. Everyone was acutely aware of her presence.

The wolves observed her every move, not with hostility, but with a cautious curiosity. Lupa carried herself with a quiet demeanor, polite and reserved, always maintaining a respectful distance. She refrained from overstepping boundaries, avoiding prolonged conversations. Yet, beneath her calm facade, I could sense the fear lurking in her eyes—a fear rooted in ancient memories and profound regrets.

One morning, as I passed her in the hallway, she offered a faint smile. “You look stronger,” she remarked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’ve been training again.”

“Yeah,” I replied, adjusting the strap of my bag against my shoulder. “We start early every day now. Asher insists we can’t afford to lose focus, not after everything that’s happened.”

Lupa nodded in agreement, her expression serious. “He’s right,” she said, her voice dropping to a near whisper. “Just be cautious with what lies within you, Trinity. Power like yours doesn’t respond well to being pushed too hard.”

Before I could delve deeper into her cryptic warning, she turned and glided down the corridor, her presence fading into the shadows.

Later that same morning, Asher and I convened on the training field. The grass beneath our feet was still damp from the early morning rain, the air crisp and invigorating. Arlo stood a short distance away, his notebook in hand, scribbling notes on energy readings and various techniques.

“You okay?” Asher asked, his voice low and concerned as he scrutinized my expression.

“Yeah,” I replied, though my mind lingered on Lupa’s unsettling words. “I was just contemplating what Lupa said earlier about my power.”

Asher tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “What did she say?”

“She mentioned that it doesn’t like to be pushed,” I explained, my brow furrowing.

He frowned thoughtfully. “That sounds like she’s warning you about energy backlash. She might know more than she’s letting on.”

“Maybe,” I conceded, but doubt gnawed at me.

As training commenced, I focused intently on my balance and control, striving to keep my movements light and fluid. Asher circled around me, offering corrections and adjustments to my stance. Arlo remained silent, his gaze keenly observing every shift in the air, the way the energy rippled around us like a living entity.

Halfway through our session, I caught sight of Lupa standing at the edge of the tree line. She wasn’t attempting to hide; rather, she maintained a respectful distance, her hands clasped tightly together, her expression inscrutable.

Asher noticed her too. “She’s been watching for quite some time,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I know,” I replied, my heart racing. “But she doesn’t join in. She just watches.”

When I released a controlled burst of power, the air shimmered with a pale golden light, reminiscent of the energy that had once pierced through the shadows. I noticed Lupa flinch slightly, her gaze darting away as if she couldn’t bear to witness it.

She was afraid of it—afraid of me.

After our training session, I approached her, wiping the sweat from my forehead. “You could have joined us, you know,” I said quietly, my voice laced with concern.

Her eyes widened, and she shook her head firmly. “No,” she replied. “I can’t.”

“Why not?” I pressed, curiosity pushing me forward.

She cast her gaze downward, the weight of her thoughts evident as she grappled with her response. “Because I don’t deserve to. That power—” she pointed at my chest, “—it’s not mine to touch. It never was. It was stolen long before you were born.”

I froze, her words striking me like a bolt of lightning. “What do you mean, stolen?”

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