Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 160

**SIX MONTHS LATER**

The packhouse, once a hive of energy and relentless training, now enveloped itself in a serene stillness that felt both soothing and oddly unfamiliar. The air was imbued with the faint scent of pine mingling with the rich, earthy aroma of aged wood, punctuated by the occasional whiff of a meal that someone had prepared. Yet, most days, it was just us cooking, forging our own meals in the quiet of our shared space.

Eryx, Kaelen, and Kaelric had made their way back to the place where Lupa had once dwelled. Though they often reached out to check in, their focus was on rebuilding their own lives, piecing together the fragments of their home.

Meanwhile, Dennis and Petra had embarked on their travels, leaving the pack in the capable hands of Asher and me. They had entrusted us with everything—the pack’s welfare, the territory’s security, the boundaries that defined our home. Along with that responsibility, they had left a note brimming with encouragement: “Live fully, breathe deeply, and take the time to find your peace.”

Even Gage and Arlo had opted for a temporary escape, yearning to explore distant lands and catch their breath after the whirlwind of events that had transpired—the battles, the Eclipse, the relics, and the guardians. Each of those experiences had left their mark, and they deserved a break, just as we did.

This left just Asher and me to navigate the quiet.

The first week of this new chapter felt surreal. The silence was palpable, wrapping around us like a thick blanket, even as the sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow on the training mats. The once vibrant rooms that had echoed with laughter and the sounds of training were now filled only with the soft cadence of our footsteps.

I found myself wandering the halls more often than usual, my fingers grazing the surfaces of furniture, adjusting the curtains, and flinging open windows to invite the fresh air inside. It was tranquil, yet it served as a constant reminder of the vast changes we had endured and the battles we had fought together.

Asher, in his own way, was adapting too, though he chose to keep himself occupied. He patrolled the grounds, meticulously checked the boundaries, reviewed our pack protocols, and engaged in quiet training sessions out in the field. His energy was unwavering, a steady presence that helped lift the burden of responsibility from my shoulders. He made it feel like we were merely two wolves living our lives, rather than the leaders of a pack.

We fell into a comforting routine. Breakfast together, training sessions in the morning, afternoon strolls through the forest, and evenings spent by the fire, either deep in conversation or simply enjoying the peaceful silence. Our bond had grown stronger than ever, flourishing in the absence of the pressures of battle and survival.

“I never imagined it would be this quiet,” I remarked one morning as I stepped onto the dew-kissed training field. The grass glistened, and the surrounding forest exuded a soft calmness that enveloped us.

Asher nodded, stretching his shoulders, the muscles rippling beneath his skin. “It’s peaceful. I appreciate it, but I know this tranquility won’t last forever. The world has a way of shifting.”

I smiled softly, taking in the moment. “Let me relish it while I can.”

We trained lightly, our focus on maintaining the connection between us. The Eclipse had left its indelible mark, and we understood the importance of keeping our energy in balance, even in its absence. We moved in harmony, our powers intertwining, stabilizing one another. Even though the absence of Kaelen, Kaelric, Gage, and Arlo was palpable, the bond we shared was more than enough to fill the void.

During one of our breaks, Asher leaned against the fence of the training field, the sun warming his back, casting a golden hue over his features. “Do you ever find yourself wondering what everyone else is up to?” he asked, his voice low and contemplative.

I paused, considering his question. “Kaelen and Kaelric are likely retracing Lupa’s steps, hunting for any lingering energy disturbances. Eryx is… well, being his usual self. Gage is probably charming someone or exploring new places, and Arlo is likely buried in a pile of notes and maps.” I chuckled softly, the warmth of nostalgia washing over me. “But yes, I do think about them. I miss them, yet it’s… nice to have this time alone together.”

Asher turned to me, his gray eyes softening, a serious undertone in his gaze. “Yeah. We should definitely make the most of it.”

“What do you mean by that?” I asked, a playful curiosity creeping into my voice.

“Oh, I think you know precisely what I mean,” he said, a mischievous smirk spreading across his face as he began to stalk toward me.

“Oh, you mean by having the house all to ourselves?” I teased, a smile tugging at my lips.

“Exactly,” he replied, his tone laced with a playful urgency.

“Well, you might want to tone down that excitement. We do have a few eyes on us right now,” I warned, glancing off into the distance.

“Alright, but we’re not lingering here any longer,” he declared, grabbing my hand as we made our way back toward the packhouse.

As soon as we reached the backdoor, we stepped inside, and I closed the door just in time for Asher to spin me around, pressing me against the wall beside the door. He kissed me fervently, his hands exploring the contours of my body before cupping my backside and lifting me off the ground.

I instinctively wrapped my legs around his waist, my fingers gripping the hem of his shirt as I pulled it over his head, letting it fall to the floor as he began to navigate through the house.

We barely made it to the living room when Asher gently set me down on the couch. He swiftly pulled my tights off, shoes and all, as I tugged my shirt over my head.

With a swift motion, Asher discarded his shorts, standing over me, his gaze filled with desire as he took in my naked form. He leaned forward, kissing me deeply.

I felt him align himself with my entrance, and with a sudden, powerful thrust, he entered me, eliciting a loud moan from my lips.

Asher began kissing down my neck, his lips trailing along my mark, sending shivers down my spine. With his free hand, he grasped both of my wrists, pinning them above my head as he leaned back slightly, his gaze locked onto mine.

He pushed harder and faster, driving me to the brink of ecstasy, turning me into a breathless mess.

“F**k, baby,” I gasped.

Suddenly, Asher pulled out, leaving me whimpering slightly, but the grin on his face indicated that he was far from finished.

“Why bother? This way is so much more entertaining,” Gage quipped as Asher and I stood up, making sure the blanket was securely wrapped around me, leaving only my shoulders exposed.

Arlo then entered the room, accompanied by a woman I had never seen before.

“Hi there!” she greeted us, her smile warm and inviting.

“Asher, Trinity, this is Emily. She’s our mate,” Gage announced, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

Arlo and Gage were identical twins, so we had anticipated they would share a mate. However, the fact that they had kept this from us, revealing it while we were in such an intimate position, was astonishing.

“It’s really nice to meet you, Emily. I just wish I could have done so while fully dressed. You can thank the twins for that,” I said, shooting them a glare.

“I’m sorry! I knew we should have called ahead,” she apologized, her cheeks flushing slightly.

“It’s fine. Why don’t you guys take Emily upstairs to get settled? Trinny and I will clean up,” Asher suggested, his tone reassuring.

“We’ll keep her in our room until we’re sure you two are in your room,” Arlo added, a conspiratorial grin on his face.

“Oh yeah? Speaking of which, where are the three of you planning to sleep?” I inquired, raising an eyebrow.

“Well, there’s a bedroom at the end of the hall that hasn’t been used in years. I figured we could use it. The bed is big enough for three,” Gage replied.

“Yeah, that sounds good,” Asher agreed.

With that, they gathered their bags and escorted Emily upstairs. I turned to Asher, laughter bubbling up inside me.

“Damn,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief.

“That’s not exactly a gracious way to meet my brother’s mate,” Asher remarked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“I don’t care about that! I can’t believe they finally found her. It’s about damn time,” I said, and Asher joined in my laughter, the sound echoing through the now lively packhouse.