Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 98

The clearing lay in a heavy silence, broken only by the sound of labored breathing. The earth beneath was scarred and blackened, trees stood shattered and splintered, and the air still shimmered faintly with residual energy from the fierce battle. A thin mist drifted where the shadows had once loomed, curling and twisting in the cool air before gradually fading into nothingness.

For what felt like an eternity, no one moved. All eyes were fixed on the empty space where the darkness had been moments before. Finally, Dennis stepped forward, his voice rough yet steady as he asked, “Is everyone still alive?”

A few warriors groaned in response, their bodies bruised but intact. Petra wiped the grime and blood from her face and gave a tired nod. “No fatalities. A handful of injuries, but nothing that won’t heal.”

I sank down onto the damp grass, every muscle aching from the fight. Gage dropped beside me heavily, resting his elbows on his knees, a faint golden glow still radiating from him. Asher remained standing for a moment longer, his eyes scanning the jagged tree line before exhaling deeply and kneeling beside me.

The three of us exchanged looks—sweaty, exhausted, dirt-streaked—but alive. The bond that connected us pulsed quietly beneath our skin, a steady rhythm that brought a strange sense of calm amidst the chaos.

Dennis approached cautiously, his gaze sharp as he took in our condition. His eyes flicked from me to Asher, then to the faint silver mark on Asher’s neck. “So it’s true,” he murmured. “You’ve awakened it.”

Asher said nothing at first, his expression weary but resolute. “It’s not mine alone,” he finally replied. “It belongs to all of us.”

Petra stared at him as if seeing him anew. “That power… you’ve been carrying it all this time?”

Asher shook his head slowly. “No. It’s new. It came through the bond—with Trinity.” His gray eyes softened as they met mine, filled with quiet strength.

Dennis folded his arms, deep in thought. “You’ve done what few ever could. You merged your energies—all three of you. That’s… rare. I didn’t think it was even possible outside of legend.”

Gage let out a weak laugh, exhaustion evident in his voice. “Feels pretty real to me right now.”

Petra knelt beside the scorched earth where the largest shadow had fallen. The dirt was blackened, but faint silver and gold sparkles shimmered there like distant stars. “These weren’t just shadows,” she said quietly. “They had shape, purpose, power. They were hunting for something.”

A shiver ran down my spine as I remembered the voice—the chilling words that echoed in my mind like a cold whisper.

“They said something,” I murmured. “The shadows spoke. A voice came through them. It said… the heirs will fall.”

Dennis spun toward me sharply. “What did you say?”

“The heirs will fall,” I repeated, voice barely above a whisper. “It was like they knew who we were. Like they were waiting for us.”

An uneasy silence settled over the clearing. The warriors exchanged worried glances.

Petra rose slowly. “If that’s true, then this wasn’t just an attack. It’s a warning.”

Dennis’s jaw clenched tightly. “Or a declaration of war.”

Asher placed a steady hand on my shoulder, his energy grounding me. “We’ll face whatever comes.”

Dennis nodded, though doubt lingered in his eyes. His gaze lingered on Asher again. “You’ve changed.”

He paused before continuing. “That power… it suits you. But it also makes you a target.”

Asher met his gaze without hesitation. “Then they’ll have to get through me first.”

For a moment, Dennis studied him, perhaps weighing his resolve, before giving a slight nod. “Get back to the house. All of you. We’ll regroup there. The forest isn’t safe yet.”

We began moving slowly, every step heavy with fatigue. The warriors spread out around us, vigilant and alert, guarding our flanks as we made our way back toward the packhouse. The forest was eerily silent—no birdsong, no rustling insects, no whispering wind. It was as if the shadows had stolen every sound when they vanished.

At the edge of the main grounds, pack members waited anxiously. Their faces were etched with fear and concern as they watched us step into the open. Children clung tightly to their parents, while older wolves stared wide-eyed at the damaged earth and broken trees behind us.

Petra raised her voice, firm and commanding. “It’s over for now! Everyone inside! No one leaves their homes until we say otherwise!”

Slowly, people began to move, though their eyes remained fixed on us—especially on Asher. His mark still glowed faintly, and whispers spread through the crowd like a breeze rustling through leaves.

“Is that Asher?”

“He’s glowing.”

“I thought he didn’t have power.”

“What happened out there?”

Asher ignored the murmurs, gently guiding me toward the steps of the packhouse, his hand resting lightly on my back. Gage followed close behind, every movement heavy with exhaustion.

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