The Luna Queen - Chapter 49: Chapter 49

_Leah's POV_
I felt a thrill of excitement mixed with fear as I slid the key into the lock of the chest. The heavy, ancient metal felt cold and solid in my hand, and I took a deep breath, steadying myself. With a slight twist, I felt the lock give way, and the lid creaked as I slowly lifted it open. My eyes widened with anticipation, but inside, I found only a thick, leather-bound book.
The cover was faded and worn, with the strange symbol embossed on it; a triangle with three circles inside. I ran my fingers over the symbol, a chill creeping up my spine. I had no idea what it meant, but it seemed significant, almost sacred. With hands that trembled, I lifted the book from the chest. The pages were thick and yellowed, and an old, musky smell filled the air as I carefully opened it.
The first page held strange symbols and intricate drawings that looked almost like a map or code. I squinted, trying to make sense of them, but they were unlike anything I had ever seen. I flipped the page, hoping for something more familiar, and my eyes landed on a block of text. It looked like a diary entry.
“July 9, 1998,” I read softly to myself. My curiosity deepened as I continued. The handwriting was elegant yet hurried, as if the writer’s emotions had spilled onto the page.
“Today is my eighteenth birthday. I am finally an adult,” the entry began. I could almost sense the excitement in the words. “My parents have prepared a grand feast tonight to celebrate.”
I turned the page. The next entry was dated July 10, just a day later.
“I am furious. How could the Moon Goddess betray me like this?” the words screamed from the page. “She has mated me with a rogue, of all things. A rogue named Sarah. How am I, the son of an Alpha, expected to accept a lowly rogue as my mate?”
My heart ached as I read the bitter words. I could feel the author’s anger and humiliation radiating from the page, and I wondered what had happened to Sarah. Had he rejected her? What had become of their bond?
A sudden, sharp sound jolted me from my thoughts. My heart raced as I heard Tariq’s voice echoing through the walls. “Leah! Leah, where are you?”
Panic surged through me. I couldn’t let him find me here. I quickly flipped the light switch off, plunging the room into darkness, and held my breath, listening. My heart pounded as Tariq’s footsteps grew louder. He was just outside the closet door, his voice tight with irritation.
“Leah? Are you here, sweetheart?” he called, his voice growing closer.
I pressed myself against the wall, hardly daring to breathe. I could hear my heartbeat drumming in my ears, the rush of blood loud and relentless. After a few agonizing moments, his footsteps faded, and I exhaled slowly. I felt relieved as I heard him move away from the room.
My hands shook as I turned the light back on, taking one last look at the book before making my decision. I couldn’t leave it behind. It held secrets which I felt were somehow important, maybe even dangerous. I needed to know more.
I slipped the book under my blouse, making sure it was secure. Carefully, I slid the closet door open just a crack and peeked out to ensure that Tariq was nowhere nearby. The room was empty, and I slipped out quietly, clutching the book tightly to my chest as I made my way back to the bed.
I could still feel the adrenaline rushing through me. I could feel the fear of almost being caught. I sat on the edge of the bed, the old book resting in my lap as I opened it again.
The next entry was from a few days after the last. My eyes scanned the lines. My heart sank as I read.
“My father insists that I must accept Sarah. He says the Moon Goddess has chosen her for a reason and that rejecting her could have consequences. But how can I be expected to accept a mate who will only bring shame to our family? I refuse. I will find a way to break this bond, no matter the cost.”
I frowned, feeling a pang of sadness. I could sense the conflict within the young Alpha, his anger warring with the words of his father. The next few entries were filled with the same bitter tone, detailing his search for ways to sever the mate bond. Each page seemed to grow darker and the handwriting became more erratic.
Finally, I reached an entry that stopped me cold.
“August 3, 1998,” I read, my voice barely a whisper. “I have found the answer. The witch in the northern woods has told me there is a ritual that will break the bond, but there is a price. She warned me of consequences, that the Goddess’s punishment is not easily escaped. But I don’t care. I will do whatever it takes.”
I felt a shiver run down my spine. This wasn’t just some old diary, it was a record of something forbidden, something dangerous. The Alpha had gone against the Moon Goddess’s will, seeking out a witch to help him defy fate. The implications were chilling.
Lost in thought, I didn’t hear Tariq return until he opened the bedroom door. I gasped, slamming the book shut and tucking it beneath a pillow just as he walked in.
“There you are,” he said, giving me a curious look. “I have been looking all over for you. Where did you disappear to?”
I forced a smile, hoping he wouldn’t notice my flushed cheeks or the rapid beat of my heart. “I just needed a little time alone,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “You know… wedding nerves.”
Tariq’s gaze softened, and he came over to sit beside me on the bed, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Leah, you have nothing to worry about. Soon, we’ll be married, and everything will be perfect. I promise.”
I nodded, though my mind was still racing. I forced myself to lean into his embrace, feeling his warmth surround me, though it did little to ease my inner turmoil.
He pulled me closer, resting his chin on my head. “I can’t wait to make you mine forever,” he murmured, his voice filled with a quiet possessiveness.
I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the sense of unease his words brought.
“Are you okay, Leah?” he asked gently and tilted my chin up to look into my eyes.
I forced another smile, though I felt like it might shatter at any moment. “I’m just… overwhelmed, that’s all,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. “There’s a lot on my mind.”
Tariq’s gaze softened, and he kissed my forehead. He lingering for a moment. “Then let me take some of that burden away,” he whispered, his lips brushing against my skin. “You don’t have to carry everything alone.”
I wanted to believe him, wanted to let myself fall into the comfort he offered. But Tariq had evil intentions and he wanted to harm me. Something about the book haunted me, as if the words of that long-dead Alpha had somehow come alive in my hands. Whose diary was it?
“I know,” I whispered back, my voice trembling. “I know.” But in my heart, I felt a strange, dark weight pressing down on me. I knew the secrets hidden in the chest had only begun to reveal themselves and that my life might never be the same again.