The Luna Queen - Chapter 15: Chapter 15

_Leah's POV_
That night, I couldn't sleep peacefully. Every time I closed my eyes, the darkness pulled me deeper into a nightmare that felt so real and so terrifying. I was back in the cellar, chained and helpless, just like before. My heart raced as I looked around, trying to find a way out, but there was none.
Suddenly, Logan appeared, his cold and cruel eyes locking onto me. His voice echoed in the dark, mocking and full of hatred. “How dare you escape from me? Did you think you could run and hide forever?”
I backed away. I was trembling. “Please, don’t hurt me.”
Logan laughed, the sound sharp and bitter. “It’s too late for that, Leah. Now, you’ll pay for what you’ve done.”
Before I could react, I saw Tariq and Susan. They were chained beside me, their faces filled with pain. They hadn’t done anything wrong. They had only helped me. This was my fault. They were suffering because of me.
“No!” I screamed, trying to reach for them, but Logan grabbed me roughly. He dragged me toward the center of the cellar, where a massive guillotine stood. The cold metal gleamed under the dim light, and my stomach twisted in terror.
Logan pushed my head down, forcing me to look at the sharp blade hanging above. “You thought you could escape, but there’s no running from me, Leah.”
I struggled, but it was no use. I could feel the rough wood of the guillotine’s base against my skin, the cold sweat dripping down my back. I looked up, and there was Selena, smiling wickedly at me. Her eyes were filled with satisfaction, and the entire pack was there, watching, cheering for my death.
"Do it!" someone shouted. "End her!"
My heart pounded so loudly I thought it would burst from my chest. The blade glinted, and I knew I had only seconds left. I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the final moment, waiting for the pain.
Then, as the blade came down, everything went silent.
"Leah, Leah!" A voice cut through the nightmare.
My eyes flew open, and I gasped for air. I wasn’t in the cellar. I wasn’t in chains. I was in my bed, drenched in sweat.
Tariq was sitting beside me, his hands gently holding my shoulders. His face was full of concern. "Leah, it’s okay. It was just a nightmare."
I blinked, trying to shake off the terror that still clung to me. My heart was racing, and my body felt like it had been through a battle. I hadn’t realized I was crying until Tariq wiped a tear from my cheek.
"I....I thought it was real," I whispered.
Tariq gave me a soft smile. "It’s not real. You’re safe. I heard you screaming and came to check on you. You were thrashing around in your sleep."
I couldn’t stop the sob that escaped my lips as I hugged him tightly, burying my face in his chest. My body shook uncontrollably, and the fear from the dream still gripped me. I didn’t want to let go.
Tariq wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. He rubbed my back gently and whispered soothing words. "You’re okay, Leah. I am here. Nothing will hurt you. It was just a nightmare."
I pulled back slightly to look at him. "It felt so real, Tariq. Logan was going to kill me. And you and Susan...you were suffering because of me."
Tariq’s eyes softened, and he cupped my face in his hands. "None of that is going to happen, Leah. I promise. Logan isn’t here, and we’re all safe. I won’t let anything happen to you or Susan."
His words were comforting, but I was still shaken. The fear, the helplessness; it all felt so vivid like it had been more than just a dream. My chest tightened as I thought about how close it all seemed.
"I...I don’t want to sleep alone tonight," I admitted softly, embarrassed by how weak I sounded. "What if the nightmares come back?"
Tariq hesitated for a moment, then he offered gently, "If it would help you feel safer, I could stay with you. Just until you fall asleep. You don’t have to be afraid."
I was surprised by his offer. I knew Tariq didn’t mean anything inappropriate by it, but the idea of him staying next to me felt...intimate. Still, the terror from the nightmare clung to me, and I didn’t want to be alone.
"Would you really do that?" I asked, my voice small.
Tariq nodded. "Of course. If it helps you feel safe, I’ll stay. I don’t want you to be scared."
I bit my lip, considering it for a moment. Then I nodded slowly. "Okay... I would like that."
Tariq smiled, and without another word, he shifted to lie down beside me, staying on top of the covers. He kept a respectful distance, making sure I had enough space, but just having him there, so close, made me feel safer.
I pulled the blanket up to my chin and curled into a ball, still shaken but feeling a little more secure now that Tariq was near. The sound of his steady breathing was soothing, and the warmth of his presence chased away some of the lingering fear.
"Tariq?" I whispered after a few minutes.
"Hmm?" he responded, his voice low and gentle.
"Thank you...for being here. I don’t know what I would do without you."
Tariq turned his head to look at me. "You don’t have to thank me, Leah. I’m here because I want to be. You’re important to me."
His words made my heart flutter, and for a moment, I forgot about the nightmare. All I could think about was how kind and protective Tariq had been, how much he seemed to care about me.
I closed my eyes, letting myself relax for the first time that night. The fear began to fade. With Tariq by my side, the nightmares didn’t seem so threatening anymore.
And as I drifted off to sleep, I felt safe. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I wasn’t facing the darkness alone.