The Luna Queen - Chapter 28: Chapter 28

_Leah's POV_
I was pacing back and forth in the living room, my mind racing. My heart thudded in my chest, my palms clammy as the full moon approached. Tonight was the night of the ritual, the night when everything would change. Susan had spent the entire day preparing the items needed, and now it was almost time. But no matter how hard I tried to calm myself, the knot of anxiety in my stomach wouldn’t go away.
Tariq, sensing my nerves, came up behind me and wrapped his strong arms around my waist. “Baby, it’s going to be fine,” he murmured softly in my ear. “Don’t worry. Everything will go well. I promise.”
I closed my eyes for a moment, leaning back into him, grateful for his warmth and comfort. His presence helped ease my anxiety, but the weight of what lay ahead still pressed down on me. I turned in his arms, looking up at him with worried eyes.
“I just want everything to go smoothly,” I whispered, my voice filled with fear. “What if something goes wrong? What if Kayden’s guards are nearby?”
Tariq brushed a strand of hair away from my face and kissed my forehead gently. “Nothing is going to happen. I have made sure of that. My friends are already patrolling the area. If there is any sign of Kayden’s guards, we will know.”
I nodded, trying to believe him. I trusted Tariq, but the unknowns of the night made my heart race.
Just then, Susan entered the room, her hands dusted with herbs and the tools she had been using to prepare. “Everything is ready,” she said, her voice calm but urgent. “We need to go soon.”
Tariq gave me one last reassuring squeeze before stepping back. “I will call my friends, make sure everything is clear before we leave,” he said. He kissed me softly on the lips, then excused himself and left the room.
I hugged myself, my mind racing with what was about to happen. I wasn’t just anxious; I was terrified. The ritual had to work. It was our only chance to break free from Kayden’s grasp, to have a future together without fear. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but my thoughts kept swirling.
A few minutes later, Tariq returned, his face calm. “It’s all clear,” he said. “We can go now.”
I nodded, but as I approached the door, Tariq stopped me, his brow furrowed. “You forgot your jacket. It’s going to be cold out there.”
I blinked, realizing I hadn’t even thought about the temperature. I smiled softly at his protectiveness. “I’m fine,” I started, but Tariq was already moving to fetch my jacket.
“I’ll get it for you,” he said, disappearing down the hallway.
When he returned, he draped the jacket over my shoulders, his touch careful and loving. My heart swelled with gratitude, and I leaned up to kiss him softly on the cheek. “Thank you,” I whispered.
Tariq smiled, his eyes locking with mine for a moment. We stood there, lost in each other, forgetting the world around us. But then Susan cleared her throat, breaking the spell.
“We don’t have much time,” she reminded us gently. “The full moon is already high in the sky. We need to go.”
I took a deep breath and nodded. The time had come.
Outside, we were greeted by two of Tariq’s rogue friends. One was a tall man with blonde hair named Jason, and the other had black hair and sharp eyes. His name was Kale. I shook their hands, my nerves spiking again as I realized just how serious this was.
“These are my most trusted friends,” Tariq explained softly. “They’ll help us tonight. They’ve been watching the area for hours.”
Jason gave me a reassuring nod, and Kale smiled slightly, but I could feel the tension in the air. We were all on edge, knowing what was at stake.
Together, we set off into the woods. The trees loomed tall and dark around us, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. The moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. My heart pounded in my chest as we walked deeper and deeper into the woods.
The path was uneven, and the further we went, the rougher the terrain became. Tariq had told me about the ancient temple hidden deep in the forest, where the ritual would take place. The ruins were said to be sacred, a place of power blessed by the Moon Goddess herself. The thought filled me with both awe and fear. I had never seen the temple before, but I knew it was important. Vital, even. Without it, the ritual couldn’t happen.
We walked in silence for what felt like hours, the only sound the crunch of leaves beneath our feet. My legs began to ache, and I could feel my strength waning as we trudged forward.
Tariq noticed me slowing down and slowed his pace to match mine. “We’re almost there,” he said quietly, his hand finding mine. “Just a little longer. You’re doing great.”
I nodded, grateful for his encouragement, but my body was tired, and my mind was racing with thoughts of what was to come. I was excited, yes, but the fear of failure clung to me, making it hard to breathe.
As we walked, I couldn’t help but take in the forest around us. It was both beautiful and ominous, the trees so thick they seemed to form a wall around us. The air was cool and damp, filled with the earthy scent of moss and leaves. The moonlight cast long shadows, making the path ahead seem darker than it was. I shivered, both from the cold and the sense that something was watching us.
The wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the sounds of the night; an owl hooting in the distance, the rustle of leaves underfoot. Every sound made my heart race faster. I kept my eyes on the path ahead, trying to block out my fear, but it was hard.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the trees began to thin, and the temple came into view. I gasped softly, my heart skipping a beat as I saw it for the first time.
The Selene Temple was hidden behind a dense thicket of trees and bushes, its stone walls weathered by time and covered in moss. Vines climbed the ancient pillars, and the roof had long since collapsed, leaving only the skeletal remains of what must have been a grand structure once. But even in its ruined state, the temple had an air of mystery and power. The moonlight bathed it in a soft glow, making the stone shimmer in the darkness.
My breath caught in my throat as I took it all in. This was where the ritual would take place. This was where everything would change.
Tariq squeezed my hand, pulling me out of my thoughts. “We’re here,” he said softly, his eyes scanning the temple ruins. “The full moon is almost at its peak. We need to hurry.”
I nodded, my nerves returning in full force. My heart pounded in my chest as we made our way toward the temple entrance. The closer we got, the more I could feel the power radiating from the stones, the air around us humming with energy.
Susan moved ahead, her arms full of the items needed for the ritual. She set them down carefully in the center of the temple. I watched her, my hands trembling as I realized just how close we were to beginning.
Tariq turned to me, his face serious but calm. “Are you ready?” he asked quietly, his hand resting gently on my shoulder.
I swallowed hard, my mind racing. I was terrified. But at the same time, I knew this was what we had been working toward. I had to be brave. I had to believe that everything would work out.
“I’m ready,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Tariq nodded, his eyes filled with warmth and determination. He kissed me softly on the lips, a gesture of comfort and love. “I’m with you,” he murmured against my skin. “No matter what happens, I’m with you.”