Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 144

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

The forest quivered under the immense weight of the creature that loomed before us. Its eyes shone with an eerie brilliance, like molten silver catching the light, and the energy radiating from it pressed against me with the force of a tidal wave crashing upon the shore. Inside me, I could feel the Eclipse thrumming faster, its hunger palpable, yearning for liberation from the confines of my being.

Asher’s hand found mine in an instant, a reassuring anchor amidst the chaos. “Trinity,” he urged, his voice steady yet laced with an undercurrent of tension that I could sense through our bond. “Don’t let it take control. Stay with me.”

I nodded, forcing a semblance of calm despite the fear that gnawed at my insides. “I won’t,” I whispered, though doubt crept into my thoughts. “Not now. Not ever.”

Around us, the pack formed a formidable barrier, a living wall of energy and sharp teeth. Gage and Arlo stood firmly at my sides, the relics between us glowing with a vibrant pulse of power. Every warrior, young and old, had gathered, ready to fight, ready to protect.

Ahead of us, Rafe stood with a sinister grin plastered across his face, shadows swirling around him like a dark cloak, feeding the ancient creature that lurked behind him. “You can’t hold it forever,” he taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance. “The Eclipse belongs to me!”

Dennis stepped forward, a low growl rumbling from his throat. “Not while I’m still breathing. And certainly not while we stand united.”

The ancient creature let out a thunderous roar, shaking the very trees around us. Its energy slammed against the pack’s shields, causing some wolves to stagger backward. I stumbled slightly, the pulse of the Eclipse within me flaring dangerously, yearning to break free from my control.

Eryx moved closer, his hands glowing with power. “Trinity, channel your energy through the relics! Focus with all of us! You are our anchor. The Eclipse will heed your command if you assert your will over it; do not let it run wild!”

Taking a deep breath, I concentrated, allowing my energy to flow into the relics. Light erupted outward, weaving a connection with the pack, with Asher, Gage, and Arlo. The creature recoiled slightly, but its strength was overwhelming, its hunger for the Eclipse insatiable, with Rafe fanning the flames of its desire.

“Hold the line!” Dennis shouted, his voice a rallying cry. “Do not let them near the relics!”

The first strike came like a storm. Shadows lashed across the clearing, targeting our warriors. I flung my energy outward, deflecting the dark tendrils, but some still broke through, sending shockwaves through our ranks. Arlo grimaced as he absorbed a minor hit, while Gage gritted his teeth, fighting to maintain his energy.

My body screamed under the strain. The Eclipse within me was a raging tempest, urging me to let go, to unleash its power and obliterate the threat before us. But Eryx’s voice echoed in my mind, steadying me. Control it, Trinity. You are stronger than it believes.

I dug deep, allowing my bond with Asher to guide me. His calm presence anchored me, grounding me amidst the chaos. Each beat of my heart resonated through the relics, pushing back against the shadows. The ancient creature shrieked, stumbling under the force, but Rafe merely laughed, sending another wave of darkness toward us.

“Not today!” I screamed, unleashing all my energy outward. The relics pulsed violently, their light spilling over the clearing like a tidal wave. The shadows collided with the light and shattered, disintegrating into nothingness. Rafe staggered back, shock etched on his face.

Asher drew me close, his voice urgent. “Trin, we’re not finished yet.” He said, his eyes fierce with determination. “It’s feeding off you, the Eclipse. You must hold it, but don’t let it consume you.”

I nodded, gritting my teeth as my chest burned, the raw pull of power tugging at every corner of my mind. “I can do this,” I asserted, forcing the Eclipse to obey, bending it to my will. Every pulse of light, every flicker, every flash came from me—not from the creature or Rafe. My hands trembled, sweat stinging my eyes, but I held firm, pouring every ounce of my willpower into the battle.

Eryx shouted commands, his voice cutting through the chaos. “Gage! Arlo! Focus! Merge your energy! Keep the creature from reaching the relics!”

We formed a protective circle, the relics at our center. I felt Asher’s energy intertwining with mine, Gage’s energy weaving seamlessly into our collective force, while Arlo guided the rhythm with precision. The forest around us glowed with the power of the Eclipse…but this time, it was under my control. The air crackled with energy, thick and electric, every heartbeat of the pack syncing with the force I wielded.

The creature roared again, massive tendrils snaking toward us like living shadows. I unleashed all my energy outward, connecting it to every relic, every pack member. The light surged, burning through the darkness, pushing the shadows back with a force that made the ground tremble. Trees bent under the pressure, leaves and branches flying like missiles. The creature shrieked and retreated, but Rafe’s grin remained unbroken.

“You think this is enough?” he shouted, charging forward, his eyes ignited with cruel fire. “The Eclipse cannot be stopped by mere mortals!”

I braced myself, feeling the Eclipse within me flare violently, a storm of raw energy clawing at my insides. It whispered promises of power, freedom, destruction—each word a temptation I had to resist. I forced it down, commanding it to obey my will, my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Light erupted from me, blinding and fierce, colliding with Rafe’s dark energy midair. Sparks exploded, shaking the ground beneath us, rattling my teeth and making my skin tingle.

Asher pressed closer, grounding me, his strength flowing into mine like a powerful river. “Trin, you’re stronger than he realizes. Trust yourself.”

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