The Luna Queen - Chapter 35: Chapter 35

_Leah's POV_
The car ride was quiet, save for the occasional murmur of tires against the dirt path. I sat beside Tariq, his hand clasped in mine, my mind still spinning from the events of the night. I glanced out of the window, noting the unfamiliar surroundings. The path we were taking was one I had never seen before.
“Are we going to be driving for much longer?” I asked.
Tariq turned to me with a reassuring smile, brushing a lock of hair from my face. “Yes, sweetheart. The Fireblood pack’s territory is far from here. But don’t worry, you’re safe now. No one will ever hurt you again.”
I nodded, though unease still lingered in my chest. I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder, trying to convince myself that everything was fine. After all, Tariq had come for me, saved me. He had even risked his life to do it. I should feel relieved. And yet, something about this whole situation felt... off. The long, winding road, the unfamiliar landscape, and now the mention of a pack I had never heard of before. But I pushed those thoughts aside. I had to trust him. Tariq had been my friend and my ally. There was no reason to doubt him now.
The car pulled up to a stop, and I lifted my head to take in the sight before me. A large black metal gate loomed ahead, towering over the car. Beyond it, high stone walls stretched out in both directions, seemingly endless. The gate opened slowly, creaking as it did, revealing a dark, imposing mansion in the distance. My breath caught in my throat. The pack house was unlike anything I had ever seen.
It was massive, more like a gothic castle than a home, and every inch of it was black. The walls, the roof, even the windows seemed to reflect no light. The whole place exuded an eerie, cold atmosphere that sent a shiver down my spine.
“Why is everything black?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Tariq heard me and smiled faintly. “The former Alpha of this pack had... unique taste. He liked darker colors. But don’t worry. The inside is much more welcoming.”
I forced a smile and nodded. The car rolled forward through the gate and came to a stop in front of the mansion. Kale opened the door for us, and Tariq stepped out first, offering his hand to me. I hesitated for just a moment before placing my hand in his, allowing him to help me out of the car.
“Welcome to the Fireblood pack, sweetheart,” Tariq said, his voice warm, but there was a strange edge to it that I couldn’t quite place.
My eyes flicked around the courtyard. There were others here; wolves, some of whom I recognized. Rogues. My stomach twisted in confusion. I had trained with some of these rogues in the past. What were they doing here? And why had Tariq taken them in?
“These are all wolves I trust,” Tariq explained, noticing my questioning gaze. “They’re loyal to me, and they’ll be loyal to you as well.”
I nodded slowly, still unsure but unwilling to voice my doubts. Tariq was different now. He was stronger and more authoritative. He had an aura about him that made it hard to question him, hard to challenge his decisions. I wanted to believe him, to trust that he knew what he was doing.
“Come,” Tariq said, his tone softening as he took my hand again. “I want to show you inside.”
As we approached the front entrance, Kale walked ahead of us, already barking orders at some of the pack members. “Gather everyone in the main hall. The Alpha will be introducing their new queen soon.”
My heart skipped a beat at the word “queen.” Was this really happening? I had never imagined myself in a position like this, much less with someone like Tariq. But here I was, stepping into a new life, a new role.
The inside of the mansion was less oppressive than the outside, but it still carried an air of intensity. The walls were painted deep shades of red, with black accents running along the edges. The floors were dark wood, polished to a high shine. Grand chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a dim, almost blood-like glow over the room.
My eyes roamed the space as we walked through the grand foyer. The interior was elegant but still felt cold, like it had been designed for intimidation rather than comfort. Heavy red curtains framed the tall windows, and the furniture, rich leather and dark wood, was imposing rather than inviting.
As we moved further inside, my unease only deepened. This place felt nothing like the pack houses I had visited before. There was no warmth here, no sense of home. Everything was sharp edges and dark shadows, a stark contrast to the lively, bustling pack life I had grown up around.
Tariq led me into the main hall, which was even more grand than the rest of the house. A large fireplace dominated one wall, its flames casting flickering shadows across the room. Long tables were arranged in neat rows, with chairs pushed up against them as if awaiting a grand gathering. At the far end of the hall was a raised platform, where a large and ornate chair sat. It was clearly the Alpha’s seat of power.
I glanced around nervously as pack members began to file in, their eyes fixed on me. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation.
Tariq stood beside me, his hand resting lightly on my back. “You don’t need to be nervous,” he whispered in my ear. “They’re going to love you.”
I swallowed hard, trying to believe him. But the weight of their stares made my skin prickle with unease.
As the last of the pack members entered the hall, Tariq stepped forward, raising his hand to signal for silence. The room fell quiet immediately, all eyes turning to him.
“My pack,” Tariq began, his voice strong and commanding, “tonight, I introduce to you someone very special. Leah has been through much, and she has proven her strength time and again. She will be your Luna, your queen, and she will stand by my side as we lead the Fireblood pack into a new era.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd, and I shifted uncomfortably under their gaze. This wasn’t how I had imagined my life. I had never thought I would be standing in front of a pack like this, being introduced as their Luna. But here I was, and there was no turning back now.
Tariq turned to me, taking my hand once more. His eyes were dark and intense, but there was a softness in them when he looked at me. “Leah,” he said quietly, “you don’t need to say anything if you’re not ready. Just stand with me. They’ll follow you, as they follow me.”
I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. I forced a smile and tried to stand tall, even though every instinct in me was telling me to run. This place, these people....none of it felt right. But I couldn’t let my doubts show. Not now.
As the pack continued to watch us in silence, Tariq leaned in and whispered in my ear, his voice low and full of promise. “We’ll build a future together, Leah. A strong, powerful future. No one will ever hurt you again. I’ll make sure of that.”
I nodded, but the weight of his words pressed heavily on me. I wasn’t sure what kind of future Tariq had in mind, but I wasn’t sure it was the one I had hoped for.