Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 131

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

**CHAPTER 131**

In the aftermath of that tense confrontation downtown, the atmosphere surrounding the packhouse was thick with unease.

It was as if the very forest had taken a collective breath, holding it in suspense. Every creak of the old wooden beams, every distant howl that echoed through the night sent shivers down our spines.

Rafe had not made another appearance—not in person, at least. Yet, his presence lingered like a shadow, omnipresent and unsettling. Whispers spread among the townsfolk about odd occurrences: tools mysteriously disappearing, cars mysteriously damaged, and faint, eerie laughter drifting through the night air.

He was communicating with us in a way that felt almost ghostly, without ever stepping foot near our territory.

To counteract the rising tension, Asher had doubled the patrols, a sense of urgency in his every command. Eryx took it upon himself to organize rigorous training shifts, ensuring that everyone was prepared for whatever might come next. Meanwhile, Arlo and Gage threw themselves into their work, poring over monitors in an attempt to track Rafe’s elusive energy signatures. Despite our combined efforts, the uncertainty loomed like a dark cloud, leaving us unable to predict when he might strike again.

By the time the third evening rolled around, the oppressive atmosphere had begun to wear on everyone’s nerves.

I found myself sitting on the back porch steps, gazing into the encroaching darkness as the last rays of sunlight slipped away, swallowed by the trees. The crisp scent of pine mingled with the faint smell of smoke in the cool evening air. It should have been a tranquil moment, but instead, it felt suffocating. My anxiety was a taut string, ready to snap at any moment.

Asher approached quietly, his presence a comforting weight beside me. He settled down on the steps, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “You’re doing that thing again,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing.

“What thing?” I asked, genuinely puzzled.

“Listening for something that isn’t there yet.”

A faint smile tugged at my lips, though it felt fragile. “Maybe you’re right. But it feels like he’s watching us, Asher. Like he’s lurking just beyond the trees. I can’t quite put it into words.”

He nodded, his gaze fixed on the darkening forest. “You’re probably onto something. Rafe doesn’t just vanish—he lingers. He thrives on keeping us guessing.”

I turned to face him, curiosity piquing within me. “What do we really know about him? You’ve faced him before, haven’t you?”

His jaw tightened, and I could see the memories flash across his face. “Once. It feels like ages ago, back before I returned here. Even then, he was… different. A shifter, but not like us. He toyed with power as if it were a mere game. But then he disappeared after a confrontation with another pack’s enforcers. I thought we were rid of him for good.”

“But we weren’t,” I replied softly, the weight of his words settling heavily between us.

“No,” Asher murmured, the tension evident in his voice. “And the worst part is—he’s stronger now than he ever was.”

We sat in silence, the bond between us humming softly, a protective shield against the encroaching dread. It was a calmness that felt almost like a warning, a gentle reminder of the dangers that lurked outside our little haven.

Then, from deep within the woods, a sudden sharp crack pierced the stillness—a branch snapping underfoot.

Before I could process my own reaction, I was on my feet, scanning the dark silhouette of the trees.

Asher stood beside me, his expression tense, eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. “Stay close,” he instructed, his voice firm.

We moved cautiously toward the sound, the forest around us now cloaked in darkness, the fading daylight barely brushing the ground. Each rustle of leaves set my heart racing, and the wind carried an array of scents—earthy, woody, and something else entirely… something metallic and sharp.

Then, from the shadows, a voice emerged—calm, almost too familiar.

“You didn’t really think I’d stay away, did you?”

Rafe stepped out from between the trees, his trademark smirk plastered across his face. The dying sunlight glinted off his eyes, giving them an almost ethereal silver hue.

A jolt of energy surged through me, my body tensing instinctively. “What do you want, Rafe?” I demanded, my voice steady despite the turmoil within.

He raised his hands slightly, a gesture of mock surrender. “Relax. I’m not here to fight. I simply wanted to talk.”

“Talk?” Asher’s voice dropped to a low growl, filled with menace. “You lost that privilege the moment you started threatening civilians.”

Rafe tilted his head, a playful glint in his eyes. “Oh, come on. You act like I’ve hurt anyone. I haven’t. I was merely… curious. Getting acquainted with your territory. Your people.”

“Cut the games,” I interjected sharply. “You’re testing us.”

He chuckled, a sound that sent chills down my spine. “Maybe I am. But you must admit—you’re quite intriguing to test.”

Asher took a step forward, his body radiating tension. “Enough.”

Yet Rafe stood his ground, his gaze locked onto mine. “You’ve changed since the last time I saw you. More control. More bite. It’s… impressive. I can see why the Shadow Lords are keeping an eye on you.”

My heart plummeted at his words, a cold dread washing over me.

“What do you mean?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

His smirk widened, a predatory gleam in his eyes. “Oh, didn’t he tell you?” He gestured toward Asher. “They’ve been asking questions about you. Watching. Waiting. They think you’re… special.”

The air around us shifted, thickening with tension. Asher’s energy snapped taut, a warning that resonated deep within me. “You don’t speak their name here,” he warned, his voice low and lethal.