Moonlight In Chains (Trinity and Asher) novel Chapter 94

CHAPTER 94

When we returned to the packhouse, an unusual stillness greeted us. The sunlight streamed softly through the windows, yet it failed to warm the space. Instead, a heavy, almost oppressive weight hung in the atmosphere, pressing down on everyone present.

I found myself in the training room with Asher, stretching out after the early morning exercises we had chosen to burn off the lingering adrenaline from our tense encounter in the forest. As I moved, I couldn’t help but notice the thick tension that seemed to ripple through the pack. Most members had gathered near the main hall, speaking in hushed tones, their eyes frequently darting toward the Alpha’s office.

“Something’s definitely going on,” I whispered, rolling my shoulders to ease the tightness.

Asher’s gaze sharpened, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. “They’ve started asking questions,” he said quietly.

I frowned, curiosity mingling with unease. “Questions about what, exactly?”

He exhaled slowly. “About the guardian. About those shadows. About all the strange things happening around the pack lately.” His voice was low, almost reluctant to speak the truth aloud. “The same things we’ve all sensed but couldn’t quite explain.”

My stomach clenched at his words. “And they’re not asking politely, are they?”

“No,” Asher replied flatly. “They want answers. And Dennis… well, Dennis is Dennis.”

I bit my lip, knowing full well what he meant. Alpha Dennis had a talent for maintaining a facade of calm while revealing nothing. It was infuriating and, at times, downright dangerous.

By mid-morning, the main hall was packed. Every chair was occupied, with others leaning against walls, perched on tables, or crouching on the floor. A low hum of whispers filled the room. At the front, Dennis and Petra stood, their voices raised just enough to carry across the crowd.

I stayed close to Asher, feeling the reassuring warmth of his presence. When he placed his hand gently on my lower back, my fingers brushed against his, a silent anchor amidst the growing unrest.

Alpha Dennis stepped forward, his usual calm demeanor unshaken. Tall and imposing, his face was a mask—impossible to read.

“Quiet,” he commanded, his voice firm and resonant. The room fell silent, if only for a moment. “I know you have questions. But not everything needs to be spoken aloud. Some truths you are not ready to face.”

Murmurs spread like wildfire.

An elder from the pack moved forward, his voice steady but edged with frustration. “Alpha Dennis, with all due respect, we are ready. There have been attacks we cannot explain—the shadows in the forest, the strange energy in the packhouse. Everyone feels it. Even Gage—he’s not himself. You can’t just ignore this.”

Petra nodded solemnly, her expression serious. “We deserve to know what’s really happening. We trust you, but trust must be mutual. Something is affecting the pack, and we need answers before someone gets hurt.”

Dennis’s gray eyes swept the room, his lips tightening into a thin line. For a moment, I thought he might finally break his silence. But instead, he shook his head slowly.

“Not yet,” he said quietly. “Some knowledge is dangerous. Even for adults. Even for the strongest members of this pack. You believe you are ready, but you are not. Patience is part of power. You will understand in time.”

His hands curled into fists, betraying a flicker of tension beneath his calm exterior.

“We cannot wait,” the elder insisted. “People are scared. People are dying. How is waiting supposed to help?”

Dennis’s gaze remained steady and sharp, like a blade cutting through the tension. “Because rushing into what you do not understand will only make things worse. You are not prepared to face what lies beyond our borders, nor the demands of our bloodline.”

I felt Asher’s hand tighten around mine. His voice was low and steady. “He’s deflecting. That’s all this is.”

I nodded, though the knot of worry in my chest refused to loosen. “I know.”

Another voice rose, a young female named Mara speaking up with urgency. “Alpha Dennis, the trees near the eastern border—they’re changing. They glow sometimes at night, and those who go near report dizziness or hearing voices. How can you not see this is serious?”

Dennis’s expression remained unchanged. “Natural occurrences. Nothing more. The forest is alive; it has always had a voice. You are simply noticing it now because your senses have sharpened due to the bloodline. That is all.”

Petra’s lips pressed into a firm line. “This isn’t just about the bloodline. Something is wrong—something waking up. We can feel it. The pack feels it. And you know it. You can’t just—”

Dennis raised a hand, silencing her. The room fell quiet once more. His voice was soft but carried clearly. “Enough. You will all speak to me with respect, or you will leave this room. Your fear and impatience cloud your judgment. You do not understand the forces at work. You will understand in time.”

An elder groaned in frustration. “Every time we ask, the answer is the same: patience. But patience does not stop danger. Not here, not anywhere.”

Dennis’s eyes flicked toward him, cold and piercing. “Then remember this: your impatience may cost you everything you hold dear. You think you’re protecting the pack, but without discipline and control, you invite disaster.”

A heavy silence settled over the hall. The elder sank back into his chair, jaw clenched tight. Petra folded her arms, frowning deeply, but said nothing.

The bond between us pulsed warmly, steady and reassuring, a reminder that even without answers, we were not alone.

Asher appeared behind me, arms crossed, leaning in close. His voice was low. “Let them worry. Right now, what matters is control. Focus on what you can control.”

I nodded, letting my energy settle. He placed a hand on my shoulder. “And me,” he added softly, locking eyes with mine. “Don’t forget that.”

I smiled, drawing strength from his touch, reminding myself that no matter what Dennis was hiding, we had each other.

That evening, the pack assembled once more in the main hall. Dennis stood at the front, calm and composed.

“I know you have questions,” he began. “And you will continue to have them. But remember: control is your first lesson. Not knowledge. Not power. Control. The more you demand answers without understanding, the greater the danger you bring upon yourselves.”

Petra opened her mouth to speak, but Dennis raised a hand to silence her. “This is not a debate. Listen carefully: the pack will remain safe as long as you respect the rules. Beyond that, I decide what you know and when you know it.”

The room fell silent again. No one dared to argue further.

As the pack slowly dispersed, I lingered by the doorway, watching Dennis return to his office. The ease and confidence in his movements sent a chill through me. Whatever secrets he guarded, they were significant—dangerous.

Asher slipped his hand into mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll figure it out,” he whispered.

“I hope so,” I admitted, the knot of worry tightening. “Before it’s too late.”

He pulled me close, brushing his lips gently against my temple. “Then we stick together. Always. That’s what matters.”

For a moment, I allowed myself to relax into him, the warmth of our bond pushing back the fear. Because no matter what Alpha Dennis was hiding, no matter how many questions the pack raised or how strange things became, Asher and I had each other. For now, that was enough.

But deep inside, I knew the questions wouldn’t stop. And one day, Dennis would no longer be able to keep the truth locked away.

The bond that held the pack together, the mysteries woven into our bloodline, and Dennis’s silence were threads pulled tighter with each passing day. When they finally snapped, we would all be caught in the storm that followed.