Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 187

CHAPTER 187

When the Ironclaw patrols fanned out toward the ridge where that distant howl had come from, Asher and I stood our ground, every sense wired. But there was no movement, no scent trail, no more sound. The fog swallowed everything whole,

“She’s gone.” the Ironclaw Alpha muttered finally, lowering her weapon. “Vanished like she was never here.”

Asher’s shoulders stayed tense, his eyes scanning the treeline. “She’s not gone. Just hiding.”

I agreed silently. Lydia Keene didn’t retreat, she repositioned.

The Alpha motioned for one of her wolves to escort us through the settlement. “Make it fast.” She

warned. “The apothecary’s open, but I can’t risk you bringing your fight here.”

We didn’t argue. Inside the small timber building, the air smelled of herbs, alcohol, and iron. Glass

jars lined the shelves. Dried roots, powdered bark, sealed vials of oil. I moved fast, scanning labels,

instinct driving me more than memory.

Asher stood guard near the door, every sound outside making him twitch.

“What exactly are you making?” He asked quietly.

“Something that neutralizes compulsion scent and psychological hold.” I said. “It’s temporary, but strong enough to break her influence long enough for me to get through to them.”

“You really think it’ll work?”

“It has to.”

The apothecary, a short older woman with streaks of gray in her braid, watched me with wary curiosity. “You’re not the first to ask for deterrent mixtures like that.” She said. “But you’re the first who looks like they actually know what they’re doing.”

“Desperation is a good teacher.” I said, pouring oil into a small vial and sealing it tight.

Once I had everything packed, I gave her a quick nod of thanks, slipped the vials into my jacket, and turned to Asher. “We go now. The longer we wait, the stronger her hold gets.”

He didn’t hesitate. “Then we run.”

And we did.

The forest blurred past in streaks of gray and green Hours bled together as we ran through the morning into afternoon, neither of us slowing. My muscles burned, lungs screaming, but the thought of what Lydia could be doing back at Moon flare drowned everything else out.

When the scent of home finally hit the wind, wood smoke, riverwater, the faint salt of coastal air

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425 Pants

caused my chest to tightened. But the calm I wanted wasn’t there. The closer we got, the more wrong everything smelled.

Too clean. Too still,

“Asher.” I panted. “Do you smell that?”

He nodded grimly. “She’s already here.”

We slowed as the packhouse came into view. The training field lay empty. The windows were dark. And there, standing dead center by the wolf pen, was Lydia.

The twins flanked her. Gage on her right, Arlo on her left. Both with the same hard expression. Anger. Betrayal.

Lydia smiled when she saw us, soft and pleasant like she’d just been waiting for a friend to come

home.

“Finally.” She said, her voice smooth as honey. “I was beginning to think you weren’t coming back.” Asher’s hand brushed mine. Stay calm, his mind whispered through the bond, but I could feel his fury boiling beneath his skin.

“Step away from them.” He said, voice even.

Lydia tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Why would I do that? We’ve just been having the most enlightening conversation. Did you know your Luna has been lying to you, Gage? Arlo?”

Arlo’s jaw tightened. “She told us you left because you didn’t trust her.” He said to me. “Because you thought she was dangerous. That you were jealous.”

“She lied.” I said sharply. “She’s been manipulating you both since the day she arrived. She’s not even your mate.”

Lydia chuckled softly. “Oh, come now, Trinity. You really think they’ll believe you over me? You ran away without a word. You left your pack when they needed you most. What kind of Luna does that?”

Gage’s fists clenched. “You did leave. You told David not to say anything. What were we supposed to think?”

“Think for yourselves.” I shot back, stepping forward. “Something you haven’t done since she got here.”

Arlo took a step forward, eyes flashing. “Don’t talk to her like that.”

Lydia’s smile deepened. “See? They know loyalty when they feel it.”

Asher growled, low and dark. “You’re poisoning them.”

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“Oh, Asher.” She said sweetly, “You of all people shouldn’t talk about poison. You’re the one who told her you wanted space. That you didn’t want to see her. I didn’t make you do that. You did that

all on your own.”

He froze, and I saw the flash of guilt in his eyes. She’d hit where she knew it hurt.

That was her weapon. Truth twisted just enough to wound.

I reached slowly into my jacket, fingers closing around the vials. My voice stayed calm, even.” You’re right, Lydia. He said those things. But you know what? He came for me anyway.”

“Stop calling her Lydia. That’s not her name.” Gage snapped.

“Yes. It is. And she’s not twenty–one. She’s thirty–one. She does look good for her age, but she’s the one that’s been lying to you.” I said.

Her eyes narrowed, reading the change in my tone, the tension in my stance.

“Why don’t you tell them who you really are.” Asher said quietly. “Lydia Keene. Former Redwater Falls pack. Expelled for manipulation and psychological control.”

The twins blinked. Gage’s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

“They’re lying.” Lydia said quickly.

But her eyes flickered, just once, just enough for me to see it.

That was my moment.

Before she could react, I pulled the first vial from my pocket and hurled it toward the three of them. It shattered on the ground in front of them, releasing a cloud of silvery mist that burned the air with sharp, acrid heat.

Lydia stumbled back instantly, coughing, eyes narrowing as she realized what it was. “You…”

Too late.

I threw the second vial, smaller but stronger, right into the dirt between her and the twins. The mist hit like a pulse. Clean, heavy and cutting through the air with a weight that vibrated against my

skin.

At the same time, I reached for Asher through the bond. Now.

The power that surged between us wasn’t light or fire, it was will. The raw, instinctive dominance of two alphas perfectly aligned. It hit Lydia like a shockwave.

She screamed. Not from pain, but from fury. And staggered back several steps, her perfect composure cracking.

The twins gasped, eyes going glassy, then wide. Their breathing hitched as the haze around them

CHAPTER 187

broke, the confusion in their scent replaced by shock.

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