Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 183

CHAPTER 183

The wolf’s growl lingered in the air, low and resonant, like a warning that pressed against my chest. Every hair on my arms stood on end, and my senses sharpened as though I were back in the middle of a hunt, back when survival wasn’t just instinct. It was everything.

Asher’s gaze swept the forest line, eyes narrowing, shoulders tense. “Trinny… whatever’s out there.” He said, voice tight, “It’s close. Too close.”

I nodded, feeling the pulse of the wolf in my mind again. Protect. Protect. Protect. Its awareness pressed into mine, guiding me, giving me the sense that danger wasn’t just coming. It was already here, circling, waiting.

Elias moved subtly to my left, knife in hand, scanning the shadows like he’d done a thousand times before. Dane stayed closer to the wolf, his stance alert but controlled, hands ready but relaxed. The massive creature crouched slightly, fur bristled along its spine, eyes locked on the treeline. It wasn’t panicked. It was ready.

I swallowed, forcing my pulse to steady. “We need to assess.” I said quietly. “We can’t just

wait for it to come to us.”

Asher’s jaw tightened. “You don’t think I know that?” He muttered. But he didn’t move forward; he stayed at my side, hand brushing briefly against mine as though grounding

himself.

I exhaled slowly, crouching just enough to make my presence less imposing to the wolf while still scanning the forest. “Here’s the plan.” I said. “We split. Not far, just enough to cover more ground and spot whatever it is before it spots us. Dane and Elias with the wolf. Asher and I take the left flank. We stay within sight of each other, and no sudden movements. Not unless

we have to.”

Elias nodded sharply. “And what about your pack? Moonflare?”

I shook my head. “Not now. I can’t risk anyone else getting involved yet. This… this is ours to

handle.”

Asher’s brow furrowed. “Yours and mine.” He muttered. His gaze flicked to the wolf, which let out a low rumble, vibrating through the ground. The pulse hit me, insistent, sharp. Now. Move.

I nodded. “Right. Let’s go.”

The forest closed in as we stepped forward, the trees casting long, jagged shadows across the debris and broken undergrowth. The air smelled faintly of wet earth, pine, and something metallic. Blood, or maybe just decay. But sharp enough to make my stomach tighten.

CHAPTER 183

$25 Points

We moved carefully, every footstep deliberate. The wolf padded silently alongside Elias and Dane, its massive form casting a shadow that seemed to swallow the smaller ones. Even in its stillness, it radiated power, awareness, and protection.

Then I felt it. A shift in the air. Tiny, subtle, almost imperceptible. My pulse quickened. They’re

here.

Asher’s hand brushed mine again. His eyes flicked to mine, dark and intense. “I feel it too.” He whispered.

The forest seemed to lean in around us. Branches rustled in the darkness where there was no wind, shadows stretched unnaturally, and the metallic scent sharpened, stronger now. The wolf’s ears flattened, its head lowering slightly, muscles coiling. Its growl deepened, resonating through the earth beneath us.

“Trinity.” Elias murmured, voice low and urgent, “Whatever this is… it’s not alone. Something’s with it. Or coming for it.”

I glanced at Dane, who nodded slowly. “We’ve dealt with rogue packs before, but… nothing this large.”

The pulse in my mind hit again. Protect. Protect. Protect. I exhaled slowly, letting it anchor me. “Stay sharp.” I murmured. “We don’t know what it’s capable of yet. But it’s definitely not human.”

A movement flickered in the treeline. Just one, then another. Shadows shifting between trees. Too fast to get a good look, but deliberate, like stalking prey. My stomach dropped. Whoever, or whatever, was out there, it knew exactly where we were.

Asher’s hand brushed the hilt of his knife, his body tense, ready. “They’re surrounding us.” He

muttered.

I shook my head. “Not yet. But they’re close.”

The wolf stepped forward suddenly, blocking Dane’s view of the forest beyond. Its golden eyes glowed faintly in the moonlight, fixed on the darkness. Another low rumble reverberated in my chest. Now, it pulsed in my mind. Act now.

I swallowed, keeping my voice calm. “Elias, Dane, stay with the wolf. Asher, follow me. We’re going to push forward just enough to see who’s out there.”

Elias hesitated. “You don’t want to do that alone.”

I shook my head. “Not alone. With Asher.”

Asher exhaled sharply. “Fine. But Trinity…” His eyes flicked to mine, the tension in his

274

CHAPTER 183.

shoulders clear. “Be careful. Please.”

I gave him a small, firm nod. “I will. Follow my lead.”

+25 Points

We stepped forward cautiously, the forest floor crunching faintly beneath our boots. Then a figure emerged from the shadows. Tall, thin, and moving with deliberate grace. A mask of darkness concealed its face. But the wolf stiffened, hackles rising. Its growl intensified, low and resonant, and I felt the pulse in my mind hammering. Danger. This one… dangerous.

The figure froze at the edge of a clearing, just far enough that I could see it fully. Its presence radiated control, intent, and a predatory confidence. Something about it set my teeth on edge.

“Trinity…” Asher’s voice was tight. “Do you recognize it?”

I shook my head slowly, pulse thundering. “No. But the wolf does. And that’s enough.”

The wolf’s massive body shifted forward slightly, chest low, tail stiff. Its eyes never left the figure, golden orbs glittering in the dim light. It wasn’t attacking yet, but every muscle was taut with readiness.

I could feel the connection pulsing again. Protect. Protect. Protect. This time it wasn’t just a warning. It was a command. Not for the wolf. For me. I had to act.

“Stay behind me.” I muttered to Asher.

He nodded, tight–lipped, hands flexing at his sides. “Lead the way.”

I stepped forward, slow and measured. The figure tilted its head, almost as if acknowledging me. A shiver ran down my spine. Whoever, or whatever, this was, it recognized me. The pulse from the wolf surged in my mind again, sharp and insistent. Danger. Trust no one.

A sudden movement caught my eye to the left. Shadows shifting, rustling leaves. My heart leapt. Another presence, moving closer. Not as deliberate as the first. More erratic. Threatening.

The wolf growled again, a deep, vibrating sound that shook the air around us. Its massive paws dug into the ground, tail flicking, fur bristling along its spine. I could feel the weight of its awareness merging with mine. It wasn’t just alert. It was preparing me, guiding me.

I exhaled slowly, grounding myself, letting the connection anchor me. “We need to know who’s out there.” I whispered. “We can’t wait.”

The figure in the shadows shifted suddenly, stepping closer into the moonlight. And that’s when I saw it. The glint of metal, the sharp curve of something deadly. My pulse spiked, and the wolf’s growl turned into a low, menacing hum.

CHAPTER 183

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify