The Luna Queen - Chapter 40: Chapter 40

_Leah's POV_
Later that afternoon, Tariq returned from his meeting with a relaxed smile on his face. I was sitting in the living room, my mind still swirling with the uneasy thoughts from my earlier conversation with Susan. When Tariq walked in, I looked up at him, trying to push the doubt from my expression.
“Hey,” Tariq greeted me, his dark eyes softening as they landed on me. He moved toward me, kneeling down beside the couch. “I was thinking… why don’t we go out tonight? Just the two of us. It’s been a while since we’ve done something fun together.”
I hesitated. The thought of going out sounded nice, but part of me didn’t feel up to it. “I don’t know, Tariq. I’m kind of tired,” I replied softly, my fingers twisting in my lap.
Tariq frowned, concern flashing across his face. “Leah, I think this will be good for you,” he said, his voice gentle. “You’ve been so tense lately. We can go out, have a nice dinner, and just relax for a little while. No worries, no pack business. Just us.”
I bit my lip, unsure. But when Tariq’s hand came to rest on mine, his thumb tracing comforting circles over my skin, I found myself nodding despite my reservations. “Okay,” I agreed quietly. “Where did you want to go?”
Tariq’s face brightened with a boyish grin. “There’s this Italian restaurant I know you’ll love. It’s in one of the malls here. The territory is pretty big, and there are so many places to explore. Have you ever been to an Italian place before?”
I smiled softly, the tension in my chest loosening slightly. “I love Italian food.”
Tariq’s grin widened. “Good, because I do too. It’s one of my favorites. Don’t worry about what to wear either. I’ve already taken care of that.”
I raised my eyebrows, surprised. “What do you mean? I don’t have anything fancy to wear.”
Tariq chuckled. “That’s exactly why I made sure to get you something. You’re going to look stunning, Leah. Just wait.”
When evening came, I found myself standing in front of the bathroom mirror, fresh from my shower, staring at the beautiful gown Tariq had given me. It was a long, dark blue evening dress made of silk that shimmered under the soft light of my room. The neckline dipped elegantly, and the fabric clung to my curves in a way that made me feel both elegant and breathtaking. Paired with the dress were diamond earrings and a matching necklace that glittered as I held them up, admiring their beauty.
My breath caught in my throat. "He’s spoiling me so much…" I thought. When I had asked him earlier how much the dress and jewelry had cost, Tariq had just waved my concerns away with a gentle smile.
“You’re going to be the future Luna of this pack,” he had told me, brushing a kiss over my forehead. “You don’t have to worry about the price. I can buy you whatever you want, no matter how expensive it is.”
Despite his reassurance, I couldn’t help feeling overwhelmed. I wasn’t used to such extravagant gifts. But I appreciated his gesture, and a part of me couldn’t deny how special it made me feel.
Once I was dressed, I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing my hands down the silky fabric of the gown. My heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and anxiety. "Maybe this is what I need," I thought. "A night out, just the two of us. Maybe it will help clear my mind."
Tariq knocked gently on my door, his voice soft. “Leah? Are you ready?”
I opened the door, my breath catching at the sight of Tariq in a crisp black suit. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his eyes gleamed with admiration as he took in my appearance.
“You look… incredible,” Tariq murmured, stepping closer to me and brushing a kiss across my cheek. “I knew that dress would be perfect on you.”
I smiled, my cheeks warming. “Thank you. You look pretty amazing yourself.”
Tariq offered me his arm, and I looped mine through his as we walked together toward the car. The night air was cool but pleasant, and I found myself relaxing a little as we made our way through the pack’s territory. The landscape was vast and beautiful, with rolling hills and tall trees lining the roads. Soft lanterns lit the path, casting a warm glow over the scene.
As we drove, Tariq pointed out different places; small markets, parks, and a few shops. “There is so much to see here,” he said. “The territory is huge, and we’ve got all kinds of shops and restaurants. It’s really a nice place to live.”
I nodded, glancing out the window as we passed by lively streets filled with people. We soon arrived at a large shopping mall, bustling with activity. The lights from the buildings cast a warm glow over the area, and I could see various shops and restaurants all around.
Tariq parked the car, and we walked hand in hand toward the Italian restaurant he had mentioned. The entrance was elegant, with soft music playing in the background and the scent of freshly baked bread wafting through the air. Once inside, we were seated at a cozy table by the window, the atmosphere intimate and relaxed.
“I’ll have the fettuccine Alfredo,” Tariq said to the waiter after a quick glance at the menu. “And a glass of red wine.”
I scanned the menu, my nerves settling as I focused on the delicious-sounding dishes. “I’ll have the lasagna,” I decided, offering the waiter a small smile. “And just water, please.”
As the waiter left, Tariq reached across the table, his hand resting on mine. “You’re going to love this place. The food is amazing.”
I smiled, feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders. For a moment, everything felt normal. Like we were just an ordinary couple out on a date. Maybe, just maybe, things could work out after all.
“I’m glad we came out tonight,” I admitted softly, my thumb brushing over Tariq’s hand. “It’s nice to just… relax.”
Tariq smiled warmly, his dark eyes filled with affection. “I’m glad too.” He squeezed my hand gently before excusing himself. “I’ll be right back. I just need to use the restroom.”
As Tariq left the table, his phone, which he had placed on the table earlier, vibrated with a new message. My eyes flicked to the screen, curiosity piqued. The name that popped up made my stomach churn. Honey.
My brows furrowed. "Who’s Honey?"
I hesitated for a moment before picking up the phone. I didn’t normally pry into Tariq's private matters, but something about this felt off. I tapped on the message, my heart pounding as I read the words.
“When will you be back?” the latest message read. The one before it sent chills down my spine.
“I’m sorry, baby. I’ll be busy tonight. I need to take her on a date. She has been distant lately. I need her to trust me completely for our plan to succeed.”
My hand shook as I placed the phone back on the table, my heart racing. "What plan? Who is this woman?" I felt like the ground had been pulled out from beneath me. Tariq had been so kind, so perfect. But now, everything felt like a lie.
As I saw Tariq returning to the table, I quickly composed myself, but my mind was spinning. "What was going on? And how long had he been lying to me?"
I smiled faintly as Tariq sat down, but inside, my world was crumbling.