Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 62

The first rays of morning sunlight filtered gently through the canopy of trees, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. Trinity stretched her shoulder slowly, feeling the tightness in the muscles begin to ease. Though the sharp pain from Spencer’s attack hadn’t completely vanished, the bruises and swelling had faded significantly. Her shoulder felt stronger now—almost like it used to, almost normal again.

No sooner had she acknowledged this small victory than Asher appeared quietly by her side, as if materializing from the shadows. His familiar grin spread wide across his face. “Ready?” he asked, his voice brimming with unshakable confidence.

Trinity crossed her arms, a hint of weariness in her eyes. “Do we have to start today? Can’t I just have… I don’t know, a day to rest? A day to just be?”

Asher chuckled softly, shaking his head. “A day to just exist? Trinity, you’ve been through hell and back. One day won’t cut it. Training starts now. And don’t tell me you’re not ready—you’ve healed, your strength is coming back, and your mind is sharper than ever.”

She scowled, frustration bubbling up. “I don’t care if my mind is sharper. That doesn’t make this any easier.”

Tilting his head, Asher’s smile softened. “It will get easier, I promise. I’ll make sure of it.”

Trinity groaned, exasperated. “I hate it when you’re always so… optimistic. Like I can do anything if I just try hard enough. It’s exhausting.”

His grin didn’t waver. “Good. That’s the whole point. Exhaustion is the first step toward strength.”

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t deny the truth in his words. Still, the optimism grated on her nerves when her muscles screamed in protest, her arms felt like heavy weights, and her body seemed to forget everything it once knew how to do.

Dennis, Petra, and the others had all advised her to take it slow, to pace herself. But Asher refused to hear any of it. So here she was, standing in a small clearing just outside the pack’s territory, waiting for him to give her the first task.

“All right,” he said finally, stretching his arms above his head with an almost casual ease. “We’re starting with agility and reaction. You need to move fast, dodge attacks, and maintain your balance. Ready?”

Trinity huffed, the faintest spark of determination lighting her eyes. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

With a sharp clap of his hands, Asher set her into motion. She sprinted through a series of drills—quick bursts of speed, leaping over fallen logs, rolling across the uneven forest floor. Each time she thought she was getting the hang of it, Asher pushed her harder.

“Faster! Lower! Quicker!” he urged, grinning like the pain was some kind of game she should be enjoying.

By midday, her legs burned fiercely, her shoulder throbbed with a dull ache, and sweat stung her eyes. The urge to quit gnawed at her, but she swallowed it down, thinking of Spencer, her parents, and all the hardships she had endured. She straightened her back, refusing to give in.

Mid-morning, Gage and Arlo appeared quietly, carrying water and snacks. They didn’t offer to help directly but handed her supplies and stayed on the edges, watching as Asher drove her through the relentless drills.

“You’re insane,” she muttered between gulps of water. “Why are you making me do all this today?”

Asher’s grin only widened. “Because you need it. You want to be ready, right? You can’t just hope nothing attacks you next. You need skill, strength, and instinct. Today, we build all three.”

Trinity shot him a glare. “You’re so annoying.”

“You’re adorable when you’re angry,” he teased, and she nearly threw her water bottle at him.

By late afternoon, her arms barely lifted, her legs trembled uncontrollably, and every movement felt stiff and awkward. But Asher either didn’t notice or chose to ignore it.

“Come on, Trinity,” he said, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “One more exercise before we call it a day. It’s simple. Follow me.”

Grumbling, she followed him deeper into the forest, where the shadows grew longer as the sun dipped lower. The air was cooler here, filled with the scent of pine and damp earth.

“Why does it always have to be in the middle of the woods?” she muttered.

That maddening, infuriating smile appeared again. “Because I want you to adapt. The forest is unpredictable—the ground shifts, trees block your view. You never know where an attack might come from. That’s real life. If you can handle the forest, you can handle anything.”

She groaned. “I hate the forest.”

“You don’t hate it,” he said softly. “You just haven’t learned to respect it yet. That’s what we’re working on.”

They stopped in a small clearing, and Trinity leaned wearily against a tree, her body trembling from exhaustion.

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