Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 143

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

The forest stood in a profound silence, a stillness that seemed to suspend time itself. Every creature, every leaf, held its breath as if sensing the tension in the air. The moonlight cast a silver glow that danced across Rafe’s mischievous grin, illuminating his features in a way that sent a shiver down my spine. Even from this distance, I could feel the magnetic pull of the Eclipse that resided within him, a force that felt both alluring and terrifying. It was as if he was reaching out, attempting to connect with the very essence of what I carried inside me.

Asher’s grip around my hand tightened, grounding me in the moment. “Trinny, stay with me,” he urged, his voice a low murmur that cut through the thick tension. His gray eyes, sharp and unwavering, remained locked onto Rafe. “Don’t let him take you.”

I nodded, though the effort felt monumental. I was trying to project calm, but my heart was a wild drum, pounding against my ribs with an urgency that mirrored my instincts—every fiber of my being screamed to flee, to fight, to protect the relics that held so much power. But I knew I needed clarity, to maintain control. If I lost it, even for the briefest moment, the Eclipse within me could awaken in a way I wasn’t prepared for.

Dennis barked a command, and the pack sprang into action, forming a protective circle around us. Warriors ignited their energy, a vivid display of power, while the wolves growled fiercely, baring their teeth in a show of readiness. Gage and Arlo flanked me, their hands radiating with restrained energy, a silent promise of strength and support.

Rafe was the first to strike. Shadows erupted from the ground, writhing and twisting like serpents, hissing as they reached towards us. Each tendril pulsed with an energy that mirrored the power of the relics, a dark force trying to siphon the light away from us. He wasn’t merely attacking; he was attempting to extract the Eclipse from me, to awaken it fully and bind it to his will.

“Hold the relics!” Eryx shouted, stepping closer, his voice cutting through the chaos. “Channel your energy through them! Do not let him touch them!”

Taking a deep breath, I focused, aligning the energy within me with the relics. I could feel it flowing out in steady pulses, a rhythm that matched the heartbeat of the earth beneath us. The shadows lunged, striking like whips, but the relics flared to life, creating radiant shields of light that deflected the encroaching darkness.

Rafe’s laughter echoed, low and menacing. “You can’t stop it, Trinity. You can’t hide from your birthright.”

“I’m not hiding,” I retorted, my voice rising with defiance as I let my energy surge stronger. “I’m controlling it. And I will not allow you to take it!”

The first wave of shadows crashed against our shields, the impact making the ground tremble beneath us. Arlo and Gage worked in perfect harmony, channeling bursts of energy to hold back the encroaching dark tendrils. The pack fought valiantly, their energy colliding with the shadows, claws tearing through the dark forms that threatened to overwhelm us.

Asher remained steadfast by my side, his energy intertwining with mine. Every time I wavered, he was there, steadying me. Whenever a shadow broke through our defenses, he pushed it back with unwavering resolve. His presence was my anchor, and I felt my power rising, the Eclipse within me stirring, responding to the imminent threat.

Rafe advanced, the air around him warping with his energy. I could see the ravenous hunger in his eyes; he craved the power within me, desperate to control it. Clenching my fists, I channeled my power into the relics, allowing the light to pulse outward. The shadows hissed and recoiled, but Rafe pressed on, relentless in his pursuit.

Then, something unexpected occurred. One of the relics, the largest among them, reacted with a violent intensity. It glowed brighter than the moon hanging above us, sending a pulse that connected directly with me. I gasped as I felt the Eclipse stir more vigorously within me, as if it were trying to break free.

“Trinity!” Eryx’s voice rang out, urgent and commanding. “Control it! Do not let it escape!”

I inhaled deeply, focusing every ounce of energy, every heartbeat, every connection I shared with Asher, Gage, Arlo, and the pack. The pulse of the relic synchronized with my power, and in that fleeting moment, everything stilled. The shadows froze mid-motion, even Rafe’s advance slowed to a crawl.

But then, a smirk crept across Rafe’s face. “Not enough.”

He slammed his energy into the ground, unleashing a shockwave that sent me crashing to my knees. The relics rattled violently, their glow flickering erratically. My vision blurred, and my chest burned with the Eclipse’s energy, desperate to surge forth.

Asher knelt beside me, his hands firmly clasped around mine. “Don’t fight it alone! Let the bond guide you!”

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to regain control, allowing the energy to flow through me rather than against me. The relics calmed slightly, pulsing in sync with my heartbeat. The shadows began to waver, flickering like embers on the verge of extinguishing.

Rafe snarled and charged, his energy flaring around him like a cloak of black fire. He reached toward me, hands glowing with dark light. I could feel the Eclipse inside him trying to merge with mine, and a wave of panic washed over me, cold and paralyzing. But I pushed it back, steeling myself.

“Now!” Eryx shouted, his voice a rallying cry.

I pushed forward, channeling every ounce of my power through the relics, letting it burst outward like a tidal wave. The energy slammed into Rafe, knocking him back, scattering the shadows in every direction. Gage and Arlo reinforced the push, their energy colliding with his, until the last tendrils of darkness shrieked and dissipated into nothingness.

The forest fell into a heavy silence. Moonlight spilled over the broken branches and scattered leaves, illuminating the aftermath of our struggle. The relics lay still, safe for now. I collapsed to the ground, trembling, my chest heaving from exertion.

Asher gathered me into his arms, holding me close, his warmth wrapping around me like a protective cocoon. “You did it,” he whispered, his voice filled with awe. “You held it together.”

I attempted to nod, but my energy was completely spent. My vision swam, and every muscle in my body ached with fatigue. “It’s… not over,” I managed to say hoarsely. “He’ll come back.”

“I know,” Eryx replied, stepping forward, sweat glistening on his brow. “But we’ve gained insight. His connection to the Eclipse is formidable, yet he cannot control it without the relics. He needs them to awaken it fully.”

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