Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 117

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

**CHAPTER 117**

The dawn following Lupa’s arrival cast a muted light over the packhouse. A stillness enveloped the space, but beneath it lay an undercurrent of tension that was palpable. There were no lurking shadows, no imminent threats, yet an air of uncertainty clung to us all. The members of the pack moved about with an air of caution, their eyes darting toward me, then to Lupa, and finally resting on Asher. Even Dennis, usually so composed, seemed to carry an unease that was uncharacteristic of him.

I settled into a chair by the fireplace, cradling a steaming mug of coffee between my hands, relishing the warmth it provided against the chill of the morning. Lupa paced back and forth in front of me, her movements deliberate and measured. Though her expression appeared calm, I could sense the burden she bore, as if she were carrying the weight of years filled with fear and regret.

“I want you to understand the bloodline,” Lupa finally broke the silence, her voice low yet unwavering. “Everything that transpired with the shadows, the power you possess, your parents… it all traces back to us. To our family.”

My throat tightened as I nodded, the enormity of her words settling heavily within me. “Then please, tell me everything. I need to know the truth.”

She inhaled deeply, gathering her thoughts before she spoke. “Your father… he is exceptionally strong, stronger than anyone I’ve encountered in Eclipse Pack. He has always possessed a unique affinity for energy-light, for connection, and for the balance that safeguards our bloodline. That gift… it has been passed down to you. That is why the shadows have always responded to you. They don’t react to just anyone in the pack, not even to me. You are intrinsically linked to our essence. You embody the very energy that brought the shadows into existence.”

A wave of heat surged through my chest as I processed her words. “But how did Sabine and Harry acquire this power if it originated from my father?”

“They stole it,” Lupa replied softly, her gaze unwavering. “Sabine… she was afraid, or at least that’s what I believed. She thought she could control the power if she raised you alone. That’s why she took you away from Eclipse Pack. She wanted to keep the truth hidden. She deceived me, claiming you had been killed by a rogue, and I fell for her lies.”

My grip tightened around the mug, frustration bubbling within me. “So, everything she did… it was all to keep me away from you?”

Lupa shook her head slowly, her expression filled with empathy. “She was driven by fear. And she was selfish. She wanted to dominate what she could not comprehend. But you… you are the one who carried the power, the bond, and you survived every trial she imposed upon you. That’s why seeing you alive came as such a shock to me.”

I leaned back in my chair, absorbing the weight of her revelations. “And my father? What became of him?”

Her eyes drifted into the distance, a shadow of sorrow crossing her features. “He left. After your disappearance, he searched tirelessly for you. He traversed packs, pleading for assistance from other Alphas, following faint traces of energy. I cannot say for certain if he is still alive. If he is… he might still be searching for you.”

A tight knot formed in my chest. “So… I still have a father out there. Somewhere.”

“Yes,” Lupa affirmed, her voice resolute. “And that makes you more powerful than you realize. You carry his blood, his strength, his energy. You are the balance our family has long awaited.”

I swallowed hard, grappling with the implications of her words. “And what about the pack here? They know I’m not who they believed me to be. Do they… trust me?”

She shook her head slightly, a hint of concern in her eyes. “They have witnessed your strength. They know you confronted the shadows. But family, bloodlines… those are intricate matters. Some may question whether you will choose to leave. Whether you will return to Eclipse. Others might fear the power you possess.”

I glanced around the room, my gaze landing on Asher, who sat beside me, his gray eyes calm yet watchful. “I don’t care where you come from,” he whispered, his voice a soothing balm. “You’re here. You’re mine. And this is your home now.”

A faint smile tugged at my lips in response to his unwavering support, but my thoughts were still a whirlwind. Lupa settled into a chair across from me, leaning forward with a knowing look. “I realize this is a lot to take in. And I know your adoptive parents… they were abusive. I am aware of everything they did to you. But you are alive. You survived. And now… you have choices.”

I nodded slowly, the word ‘choices’ echoing in my mind. “Choices… like staying here, or returning to Eclipse?”

“Exactly,” Lupa replied gently. “I came here because I heard my sister was living in this area. There were rumors she had died here, which prompted my visit. I never anticipated finding you. But I do not wish to impose. You belong wherever you choose. This pack, me, your father… it’s all open to you. But the decision is yours.”

Asher squeezed my hand, his warmth enveloping me. “Whatever you choose, I’m with you. Always.”

Taking a deep breath, I confessed, “I don’t even know what I want yet. For years, I’ve been surviving someone else’s narrative. I need time to discover my own.”

Lupa nodded in understanding, her gaze softening. “Take as long as you need. But understand this… the bond you carry is rare. It is powerful. And should you choose to return to Eclipse, if that time ever comes… the pack there will recognize you as family. Even if they do not welcome you with open arms at first, your bloodline grants you a place among them.”

I allowed her words to settle within me. Bloodline, family, power. It all felt heavy, yet there was a sense of grounding in it, a clarity I had long sought after years of deception and confusion.

At that moment, Gage walked past the room, pausing briefly to glance at me and Lupa. His expression was cautious, yet curiosity flickered in his eyes. “Looks like you’ve got company,” he remarked softly.

I nodded, a sense of resolve washing over me. “Yeah. I’ve got a mother I thought I had lost, and a lot to ponder.”

Lupa smiled faintly, a glimmer of hope shining through her eyes. “And I’ve found a daughter I believed I had lost. That’s more than enough for now.”

Arlo muttered, “I still think this bloodline business is going to be complicated. But… we’ve faced worse.”

A soft laugh escaped my lips, warm and genuine. “Yeah. We have.”

The following days unfolded with a blend of conversation, learning, and introspection. Lupa regaled me with tales of Eclipse Pack, recounting her childhood, and sharing memories of Sabine before she left. She spoke of the bond our family had always possessed, the energy we shared, and the responsibilities that came with it.

Initially, the pack maintained their distance, observing from the periphery, their curiosity tempered by caution. Whispers of uncertainty floated among them: Will she leave? Will she take Trinity with her? Can we trust this newcomer?

I addressed each concern with honesty. “I’m staying. This pack is my home. Asher, Gage, Arlo… everyone here has been my family for years. Eclipse can wait. I need to be here first.”

It was a challenging decision, but it felt right. As I stood in the training field later that day, hand in hand with Asher, I realized that the weight of my bloodline didn’t diminish my strength. It didn’t make me dangerous. It made me whole.

From the edge of the trees, Lupa watched, her eyes shimmering with pride, as if witnessing my growth for the first time. “You’ve endured so much,” she whispered. “And now… you will be stronger than I ever imagined.”

I nodded slowly, feeling the sun’s warmth on my face, the bond of the pack surrounding me, and the quiet strength of a mother I never knew I had. For the first time in my life, the future felt open and full of possibilities.

And for now, that was more than enough.