Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 100

CHAPTER 100

The morning air was sharp and cool, carrying the fresh scent of damp earth mingled with pine needles. Around the packhouse, a low murmur of anticipation buzzed among the gathered alphas, warriors, and the three of us standing at the training grounds. Dennis had called us all together with a serious purpose.

“Today,” he began, his voice steady and commanding, “we’re moving beyond routine training. We’re going to trace the source of the shadows. We don’t know who—or what—is behind them, but we have a trail to follow. It’s dangerous. Be prepared.”

I stole a glance at Asher. His gray eyes were calm but taut with tension, muscles coiled like a spring ready to snap. Gage shifted uneasily beside me, his golden energy flickering with nervous energy as he bounced from one foot to the other.

Dennis continued, “You three will stay together. Use your bond to protect one another. Arlo’s been tracking energy lines—follow those.”

Beyond the clearing, the forest loomed dark and thick, shadows pooling beneath the towering trees. Yet beneath my skin, the bond thrummed steadily, a quiet strength anchoring us all.

Arlo took the lead, clutching maps, stones, and crystals carefully arranged in his hands. “The shadows follow these energy lines,” he explained, pointing to the intricate patterns. “Where the energy is strongest, they appear first. Whoever’s behind this knows about the bond. They’re using it against us.”

A chill ran down my spine as I recalled the voice from the attack—the threat that the heirs would fall. Whoever sent these shadows wasn’t just powerful; they were patient, calculating.

Hours slipped by as we tracked the lines through dense underbrush, destroying shadow remnants left behind. Each skirmish crackled with tension and adrenaline, keeping us sharp and alert.

At last, Arlo halted us in a small clearing, barely wide enough for the three of us to stand comfortably. “Here,” he said, pointing to a pattern of dark stones arranged deliberately on the ground. “Someone placed these markers. They’re connected to the shadows, tracking bonds like ours.”

Asher stepped forward, energy flaring around him. “Then we have to move carefully. They can’t know we’re coming.”

I nodded, feeling the bond pulse beneath my palms. “We protect each other. No mistakes.”

Suddenly, Gage froze, his golden aura flickering erratically. “Wait… I recognize that scent.”

From the edge of the trees, a tall, athletic woman emerged. Her dark hair was pulled back tightly, eyes sharp and alert. “Gage,” she said softly.

His eyes widened in surprise. “Lilly?”

“Yeah,” she replied quietly. “I came as soon as I heard.”

I studied her, then glanced at Gage. The bond between us shifted subtly—curious, tense, but not overtly threatened. There was history here, unspoken but heavy.

“Great,” I muttered under my breath, shooting a look at Asher.

“How are you, Trinity?” Lilly asked, her voice calm but with an edge of something I couldn’t place.

“I’m fine. I heard you left the pack and weren’t coming back,” I said, watching her closely.

“It was tough after Gage and I broke up,” she admitted. “But I knew he’d need someone here now.” She glanced at Asher, who raised an eyebrow in silent question.

Is she a good or bad ex? Asher’s mind linked to mine.

I shrugged internally. She hated me—that’s why they split. Maybe she was just jealous because Gage kept being my friend despite her. I sent the thought back, and he nodded slowly.

There wasn’t time for old grudges—not with the forest and shadows closing in.

Dennis’s voice echoed in my mind, not literally but with unmistakable authority. “We move as one. Old bonds, new bonds—they all matter. Stay focused.”

Lilly stepped closer to Gage. “I can help. I’ve been tracking strange energy lines for a while. If anyone knows where the shadows will strike next, it’s me.”

Gage nodded slowly, golden energy flaring brighter as he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Then… let’s do this together.”

I cut in firmly, “Arlo’s in charge.”

“What?” Lilly questioned, surprise flickering across her face.

“He’s been with us from the start, and honestly, I trust him more than I trust you,” I said bluntly.

“I’m just glad to help if you’ll have me,” Lilly said, undeterred.

“Yeah, you can come,” Gage added.

Asher’s hand found mine, grounding me amidst the tension. “We move as one,” he said quietly. “Bond first. Protection first. Attack second.”

Guided by Arlo and Lilly, we pushed deeper into the forest. The shadows’ presence grew stronger, their energy pulsing faintly in the air like a silent warning. I sensed them watching us, waiting for a moment of weakness.

Dennis’s warning echoed again: this would be dangerous—and we didn’t have to wait long to see why.

Suddenly, shadows appeared around the clearing’s edge—faster, smarter, more furious than ever. Their leader, the largest shadow, stepped forward, black eyes glowing faintly red. I felt it sizing us up, searching for a weakness.

Asher moved in front of me, his energy flaring fiercely. “We hold together,” he declared. “No one breaks this bond.”

I pressed my hands against his, feeling energy pulse between us. Gage mirrored me on the other side, his touch steady and warm.

The first attack hit, but we were ready. Energy spiraled around us, forming barriers that redirected the shadows and struck back with force. Each pulse pushed them further from the circle, but new shadows appeared, faster and more cunning.

“This is harder than training!” Gage shouted. “They’re learning faster than we are!”

“Then we adapt!” I yelled back. “Bond first! Trust each other!”

The battle dragged on. The shadows were relentless, forcing us to combine everything we’d learned. The bond strained at moments, but never broke. Together, we moved, struck, defended, and controlled the flow of energy.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the shadows retreated into the forest, vanishing like mist in sunlight. The clearing fell silent again, though the stones’ energy hummed faintly, a lingering warning.

Arlo examined the crystals closely. “This is a base,” he said. “But whoever’s behind this is planning something bigger. They’ve been watching the heirs for a long time. Now they know the bond can be weaponized.”

Asher exhaled, energy dimming slightly. “Then we train harder. We master it. If they come back, we’ll be ready.”

Gage glanced at Lilly. “And… we keep working together. I’m glad you’re here.”

Lilly smiled faintly. “Me too. We make a good team.”

I felt a flicker of unease having Lilly here but kept silent. Asher sensed it too.

Old bonds and new, trust and love, energy and power—they all mattered. The pack, the bond, the people we cared about—they were the source of our strength.

Dennis’s voice rang in my mind once more. “Prepare yourselves. The mastermind is closer than you think. But you’re not alone. Trust the bond. Trust each other. Fight.”

I nodded, meeting Asher’s and Gage’s eyes. Together, we had survived shadows, uncovered secrets, and faced danger head-on. The next challenge would be harder—but we would be ready.

And the mastermind controlling the shadows would soon learn exactly what it meant to challenge the heirs.