Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 142

**CHAPTER 142**

The dawn broke with a muted light as the pack assembled at the forest’s edge, a place where the trees whispered secrets and shadows danced. The sun, hidden behind a veil of thin clouds, cast a dim glow that felt almost ominous. Yet, the air buzzed with an electric anticipation, a familiar hum that hinted at the impending eclipse. Each member of the pack wore an expression of tight-lipped resolve; this mission was not merely another task—it was a pivotal moment that could alter everything we knew.

Eryx stood at the forefront, clutching maps and ancient scrolls that looked as if they had weathered centuries. His voice, though steady and calm, carried an underlying tremor of concern. “The relics have been scattered across the territory once ruled by the Eclipse pack,” he explained, his tone low yet urgent. “If we fail to recover them, the awakening will become inevitable. The Eclipse that resides within you, Trinity, could awaken fully, and none of us would stand a chance against it.”

I turned my gaze to Asher, whose grip on my hand was firm and reassuring. His gray eyes held a steady gaze, yet the tension etched in his jaw mirrored the anxiety swirling within me. Beside us, Arlo and Gage stood poised, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. The rest of the pack was armed, their energy crackling beneath the surface like a storm waiting to unleash its fury.

We set off swiftly, moving through the dense shadows of the towering trees. The forest was eerily silent, almost as if it were holding its breath, anticipating an event that lay beyond our comprehension. Each snap of a twig underfoot and the rustle of leaves sent jolts of anxiety through me. Even the wind seemed to hush, as if it had been warned to remain silent and not betray our presence. The scent of damp earth mingled with a metallic tang, sharp and unsettling, twisting my stomach in knots.

“Trinnity, stay close to me,” Asher murmured, his voice a soft anchor amidst the chaos. His hand enveloping mine felt like a lifeline, a reminder that, no matter what lay ahead, we faced it together.

We followed the faint lines of energy that Eryx had meticulously marked. They pulsed gently, guiding us deeper into the territory that had once been the heart of the Eclipse pack. I could sense the relics calling to me, their presence weak yet insistent, like the lingering echo of a forgotten power brushing against my consciousness. They felt alive, as if they were aware of our approach, and a faint hum of anticipation coursed through the air, thickening it with expectation.

Time slipped away, and the forest grew darker, the trees becoming ancient sentinels, twisted and gnarled, their branches resembling skeletal fingers reaching out toward us. Shadows pooled around their bases, and each step felt heavier, laden with an unspoken weight. I could feel the remnants of Eclipse energy thrumming beneath my skin—sharp, electric, and warning me that this place remembered every shadow, every secret, every transgression that had transpired within its depths.

Eryx halted near a stone circle, its surface cracked and draped in a shroud of moss. “The first relic is here,” he announced, his hand hovering over the ground as he traced the intricate patterns carved into the stones. “It’s small—a crystal infused with Eclipse energy. But don’t underestimate it; its power is significant. We must neutralize it before the awakening reaches its climax.”

I knelt, reaching out toward the crystal. The moment my fingers brushed against its cool surface, a jolt of energy surged through me, sending a shiver racing up my arm. The pulse within me flared, stronger and more insistent than before.

“Focus with me,” Asher urged, placing his hand over mine, grounding me in the midst of the chaos.

We synchronized our energies, allowing them to flow together seamlessly. The crystal quivered, glowing faintly, then began to dim under our combined will. Arlo busily took notes, while Gage and the other warriors maintained a vigilant watch, their senses attuned to any signs of danger.

“We’re not finished yet,” Eryx cautioned, his voice grave. “There are still two more relics to find. And Rafe… he won’t simply stand by.”

A chill raced down my spine at the mention of Rafe’s name.

We pressed on, following the energy lines to the second relic, hidden within the crumbling remains of an ancient Eclipse temple. The structure had partially collapsed, stones strewn about, and vines choked the entrances like serpents. The air here was thick, heavy with dark energy that seemed to seep from the very stones.

“Stay alert,” Eryx instructed, his voice low and firm. “The energies here are more potent. The relic will defend itself.”

We divided into two teams. I remained with Asher and Arlo, while Gage and a few warriors circled the perimeter, their senses sharp. The pull of the relic grew stronger, and with it, the faint tug of the Eclipse within me beckoned, urging me to succumb to its influence.

Inside the temple, the air was thick with the scent of decay and ancient stone. Shadows clung to the corners like sentient beings, shifting just beyond the edges of my vision. The relic awaited us on a pedestal at the center of the room—a jagged crystal radiating with a mix of black and silver energy.

“It’s trying to connect with me,” I said, raising my hand toward it. The energy flared, whispering secrets and testing my resolve.

“Block it,” Asher commanded, his voice urgent. He enveloped me in a protective shield of energy. “Don’t let it reach you alone.”

I nodded, concentrating fiercely, channeling my power to align with the relic while resisting the temptation to let it pull me in too deeply. Arlo began to chant softly, his fingers weaving intricate symbols in the air. The relic shuddered, and for a fleeting moment, it seemed on the verge of exploding in a torrent of dark energy.

Then, silence enveloped us.

Arlo exhaled slowly. “Good. It’s neutralized.”

Yet the relief was short-lived.

The forest outside the temple had grown darker, more oppressive. As we made our way toward the final relic, the tension thickened, wrapping around us like a suffocating cloak. Each step felt measured by an unseen force, and my instincts screamed that we were not alone.

“I can sense him,” Asher whispered, his voice barely above a breath. “Rafe is near.”

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