The Luna Queen - Chapter 20: Chapter 20

_Leah's POV_
When I woke up, the room was dimly lit by the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the curtains. My body felt heavy, and my head still buzzed from the effects of the potion Susan had given me. As I blinked my eyes open, I realized I wasn’t alone. Tariq was sitting beside me, his gaze soft and attentive as he watched over me.
“Hey there,” Tariq said quietly, a small smile tugging at his lips. His voice was gentle, filled with concern.
I blinked, still disoriented. “How long was I asleep?” I asked, my voice hoarse.
“A few hours,” Tariq replied, leaning forward slightly. “You have been through a lot. That potion knocked you out cold.”
I nodded slowly, feeling the weariness still clinging to my body. “I feel weak.”
His expression softened even more. “I know. That’s normal after drinking that stuff. But don’t worry, I have got something that will help.”
Before I could respond, Tariq stood up and disappeared into the hallway. A few moments later, he returned with two plates of food, balancing them carefully in his hands. The rich, savory smell of eggs, toast, and bacon filled the room, making my stomach growl.
“Breakfast is served,” Tariq said with a grin, setting the plates down on the small table next to the bed. “I figured you would be starving by now.”
I sat up slowly, my body still sluggish but grateful for the food. “Thank you,” I murmured, my heart warming at his kindness. I hadn’t expected him to take care of me like this.
Tariq handed me a plate, making sure I was comfortable before sitting down beside me with his own. As I took a bite, the flavors burst in my mouth, and I realized just how hungry I was. The eggs were perfectly scrambled, buttery and soft, and the bacon was crispy, just the way I liked it.
“You’re pretty good at this,” I said between bites, glancing at Tariq with a small smile.
“I have my moments,” Tariq replied with a playful smirk. “Besides, I couldn’t let you starve. What kind of hero would I be then?”
I chuckled, the sound light and soft. I appreciated the way Tariq was making everything feel normal, despite the chaos of the past few days. For the first time in what felt like forever, I could relax.
After a few minutes of eating in comfortable silence, Tariq stood up and switched on the TV.
He turned to me, his eyebrow raised in question. “What do you feel like watching?”
I thought for a moment before shrugging. “Maybe something funny. I need to laugh.”
Tariq nodded. He flipped through the channels until he found a comedy film. As the movie started, we both settled into the rhythm of eating and watching. Tariq kept sneaking glances at me, teasing me lightly every now and then.
“So, do you always laugh that much at terrible jokes, or is it just when I am around?” Tariq asked, his tone playful as the actors on screen delivered another corny punchline.
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, sure you don’t,” Tariq teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “I have seen the way you laugh. It’s like you’re trying to hold it in but you can’t help yourself.”
I laughed, the sound bubbling up before I could stop it. I took a sip of water to stifle the giggles, but in my attempt to control my laughter, the glass slipped from my hand, spilling water all over Tariq’s shirt.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” I exclaimed, my eyes wide with embarrassment as I looked at the drenched fabric.
Tariq glanced down at his soaked shirt and then back at me, his expression unreadable for a moment. But then, a slow grin spread across his face. “It’s fine, really,” he said, shaking his head in amusement. “I guess I needed a shower anyway.”
I bit my lip, trying not to laugh again, but the sight of Tariq dripping water was too much. “Are you sure?”
Tariq shrugged and began unbuttoning his shirt, revealing the sculpted muscles beneath. “I’ll just change and be right back.”
My breath hitched as I watched him peel off the shirt. His back was turned to me, and I couldn’t help but stare at the ripple of his muscles, the way his skin stretched over the lean strength of his body. He moved with the fluid grace of a wolf, and something about the sight stirred something deep within me.
But then, something else caught my eye. A small tattoo on the back of Tariq’s shoulder—a triangle with three circles inside. It was strange, almost out of place on him. My curiosity piqued.
Before I could ask about it, Tariq tossed his shirt onto a nearby chair and made his way to the door. “Give me a sec,” he said, flashing me a grin before disappearing into the hallway again.
I sat there for a moment, my thoughts swirling. The tattoo… It didn’t seem like the kind of thing Tariq would have. There was something odd about it. When he returned a few minutes later, dressed in a fresh shirt, I couldn’t help but ask.
“When did you get that tattoo?” I asked. “Does it have any special meaning?”
Tariq froze for just a fraction of a second before giving me a casual smile. But I noticed the slight tension in his eyes. “Oh, that? I got it a few years ago,” he said, his tone a little too breezy. “Saw it in a movie. Some famous actor had it, and I thought it looked cool.”
I raised an eyebrow, sensing that there was more to the story, but I decided not to press him further. If he didn’t want to talk about it, I wasn’t going to force him. “Oh, okay,” I said with a shrug, pretending to let it go.
But Tariq, clearly eager to change the subject, leaned closer, his teasing grin returning. “Why, did you think it was a secret symbol or something? Maybe I’m part of some ancient order.”
I laughed and shook my head. “Yeah, sure. I bet you’re part of a secret society of werewolves.”
Tariq chuckled, his mood lightening again. “You never know. I might surprise you.”
As the teasing continued, my thoughts briefly drifted back to the tattoo and the way Tariq had seemed nervous when I brought it up. But soon, I was caught up in the playful banter between us. Tariq’s charm was infectious, and despite my earlier exhaustion, I found myself smiling and laughing more than I had in days.