Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 112

**The Day He Forgot He Hated Me**

The morning sun rose reluctantly, casting a muted light over the packhouse, where an undercurrent of tension hung thick in the air. Yet, in this familiar haven, life continued as if nothing had happened. Wolves engaged in their training routines, chores were diligently completed, and the younger members of the pack moved about with their usual energy. However, those of us who had glimpsed the shadows lurking just beyond the veil of normalcy understood that this fragile peace was but a fleeting illusion.

As I walked alongside Arlo through the main hall, I could sense the weight of his unease. His footsteps were deliberate, each one measured as if he were navigating a minefield. The silver mark on his wrist glimmered with a faint pulse, a constant reminder that while he was safe for the moment, the bond we shared made him a target in ways that others could not comprehend.

“Try to stay calm,” I whispered, my hand finding his and squeezing gently, hoping to convey reassurance through my touch.

He nodded in response, but the strain etched across his features told a different story. Every flicker of movement outside a window or the subtle creak of a door sent ripples of tension through him, causing his shoulders to stiffen in anticipation.

Asher trailed closely behind us, arms crossed tightly over his chest, his gaze fixed on the dense forest beyond the glass. I could see the conflict in his eyes—he was clearly bothered by how close Arlo and I were, yet he was trying his best to mask it. Since the previous night, he hadn’t left my side, and I couldn’t fault him for his protectiveness. I was on edge too, the atmosphere thick with unspoken fears.

In the training yard, Gage was instructing a group of younger wolves on defensive maneuvers. Lilly stood beside him, her eyes keen and focused, but she was merely an observer, not participating in the drills. I couldn’t help but notice how her gaze lingered on Arlo, a flicker of something in her eyes that made me uneasy.

I chose to ignore it; there were far more pressing concerns at hand.

The morning dragged on without any sign of trouble until we reached the library. Arlo stopped suddenly, crouching by a window, his attention drawn to the shadows of the trees outside.

“Something’s moving,” he muttered, almost as if he were speaking to himself.

I leaned closer, peering over his shoulder. “Where?” I asked, my heart racing.

“Out there… not the trees. Something else. I can feel it,” he said, his voice low and filled with dread.

Before I could respond, a sudden crash shattered the calm. Glass exploded from the main hall, and a frigid gust of air swept through the library, sending a chill down my spine.

The shadows had returned.

Without thinking, I grabbed Arlo’s hand and yanked him behind a large bookshelf. Asher moved in right behind us, his silver energy flaring to life, forming a protective barrier around us.

“Get to the center!” Dennis’s commanding voice echoed through the packhouse. “Keep him safe!”

I glanced up, my heart pounding as I saw the dark, twisted shapes darting across the walls and ceiling. These were not the same shadows as before; they were hunting, and their intent was clear.

Arlo trembled beside me, his voice quaking. “I can feel it! It’s… it’s nulling at me!”

I pressed my palm against his silver mark, grounding him. “You’re bonded to us now. Stay with me.”

Asher unleashed a wave of silver energy, expanding our protective bubble. Gage joined in, his golden light bursting forth like a shield. Together, we pushed back against the encroaching darkness.

But this time, the shadows were cunning. They slithered through the very walls, the floor, the ceiling—attacking from every angle. They weren’t just trying to overwhelm us; they were attempting to isolate Arlo, to sever our connection.

One of the creatures crept along the floor, dark tendrils stretching toward Arlo’s mark.

“No!” I shouted, pouring all my energy into the bond. A brilliant silver light erupted from Arlo’s wrist, intertwining with mine and Asher’s.

The shadow shrieked and recoiled, but its companions pressed on.

Dennis and the other warriors burst into the room, forming a defensive line at the main doors. “Hold them!” he bellowed.

Arlo’s breath came in ragged gasps. “It’s too strong… it’s everywhere!”

I tightened my grip on his hand, desperation fueling my resolve. “Then we fight together. All of us. Don’t let go!”

He closed his eyes, concentrating on the bond between us. I could feel the silver energy pulsing, intertwining with ours, wrapping around him like a protective cocoon. The shadows’ grip weakened as he became more connected to us.

Asher unleashed a surge of silver, pushing the nearest shadows back. Gage followed up with bursts of golden light. Even the younger wolves joined the fray, rallying to defend our home as best they could.

Then, in a shocking turn of events, one of the shadows split in two, darting off in opposite directions. One of them lunged at Arlo once more.

I screamed, throwing myself in front of him. My energy flared fiercely, the force of it crashing into the shadow, causing it to scream and dissolve into mist. But the backlash sent me hurtling backward, and Asher caught me just in time.

Arlo struggled to regain his footing, but I could see the effort etched across his face. The shadows were adapting to his energy, probing the bond we had forged.

I nodded, surveying the damage within the packhouse. Broken glass, scorched walls, and scattered furniture bore witness to the chaos, but we were alive.

Dennis’s voice rang out, calm yet firm. “Good work, everyone. You held the line. But this is only the beginning. The shadows are being guided. They’re learning from every attack. We need to figure out who sent them and why.”

I pressed my forehead against Arlo’s temple, feeling his heartbeat gradually steady. “Do you trust us?” I asked softly.

He nodded, determination flickering in his eyes. “I do. I want to. And I want to fight with you.”

A faint smile crossed my lips as I brushed a strand of hair from his face. “Then we’ll make sure you can.”

Later, once the packhouse had settled into a semblance of calm, I remained by Arlo’s side in his room. The silver mark on his wrist pulsed faintly, now stable, but I could sense the remnants of the shadows lurking just beyond our awareness.

“This bond…” he murmured, almost to himself. “It’s… different. I can feel you all inside me.”

“Yes,” I replied, my voice steady. “That’s how it works. That’s why the shadow can’t take you. Not while we’re connected.”

He looked up at me, concern shadowing his features. “But what if it comes back stronger?”

I pressed my hand against his, grounding him. “Then we’ll be ready. We’ll fight together.”

Asher lingered nearby, arms crossed, observing intently. “We need to train more. All of us. Together. The shadow won’t stop just because it failed once.”

“I know,” I affirmed. “And we will. But tonight, let him rest.”

Arlo leaned against me, finally finding solace for the first time in days. I could feel the bond between us, steady and warm. It had evolved beyond mere protection; it was a connection that would only deepen as time passed.

Yet, deep within, I sensed the truth: the shadow would return. And when it did, it wouldn’t be testing us. It would be coming to destroy us.

I let Arlo rest, but I remained awake, pondering the nature of our training. The bond could no longer be just a shield—it had to transform into a weapon. A connection so powerful that the shadow would never dare to touch him again.

And I understood, when the time came, we would have to push ourselves harder than ever before.