The Luna Queen - Chapter 59: Chapter 59

_Leah’s POV_
The day of the ball finally came, and my heart was beating faster than it ever had before. I kept telling myself that this was my one real chance. I had never been to the Duskfang pack before. Everything felt unfamiliar. That was exactly why I hoped it could help me disappear.
I kept repeating in my head that Tariq wouldn’t dare harm me, not until after we were married. That was my only comfort as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
The red ballgown he picked for me fit perfectly. Too perfectly, like it was tailored for someone who was already his. The silky fabric felt soft against my skin, but it also felt like a cage.
Athena’s voice whispered gently in my mind. “You look beautiful, Leah. But don’t lose focus.”
I breathed in slowly. “I know. This might be my only chance.”
My hands trembled as I brushed my hair and tied it back. “If we don’t escape tonight, Athena,” I thought, “I might never get another shot.”
She answered firmly. “And we will escape. I will help you. Trust me.”
That’s when I heard a knock at my door.
“Leah,” came Tariq’s voice. “Are you ready?”
My stomach twisted. “Yes,” I called back, my voice shaky.
He opened the door and stepped inside. My breath caught as I took him in. He was dressed in a black suit with a silver pin at the collar. He was too perfect and too composed.
“You look stunning,” he said as his eyes roamed over me. “Just like I imagined.”
I gave him a tight smile.
He crossed the room in two long strides and pressed a kiss to my lips. Every part of me screamed to pull away, but I didn’t. I stayed still. “Play along,” Athena urged me. “We need him to trust you tonight.”
When he pulled back, I lowered my gaze and whispered, “Thank you.”
“You’re perfect,” he said. “Let’s go. Everyone is waiting to see us.”
I followed him outside into the cool evening air. A black car was parked at the front of the house, and Tariq held the door open for me. I climbed inside silently, and he sat down beside me.
As we drove toward Duskfang, my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest. The forest was dark, and I kept thinking of every shadow outside as a possible escape route.
“You seem tense,” Tariq remarked. “What’s bothering you?”
“Nothing,” I answered quickly. “I’m just nervous.”
He chuckled. “There’s no need. Everyone will adore you. Just stay close to me.”
I nodded, my hands folded tightly in my lap.
Athena spoke up. “He won’t let you out of his sight easily.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” I thought back.
When we finally reached Duskfang, my palms were damp.
The castle was huge, lit up with glowing lanterns. Music and laughter drifted through the night. Gold and silver masks glimmered in the hands of guards at the gate. So, this was a masked ball. This would make it easier for me to execute my plan.
As we walked inside, my heart pounded louder with every step.
A servant in a fine uniform greeted us at the door. “Alpha Tariq,” he said, bowing. “Welcome.”
“Thank you,” Tariq replied smoothly. “This is my mate, Leah.”
The servant smiled warmly. “You are most welcome, Luna Leah.”
Luna. The word felt like a sharp jab.
He handed us our masks....mine was golden, like the light of the moon. Tariq took a black one.
“You will need these,” the servant continued. “And I must say, the ballroom is more beautiful than ever tonight.”
When we stepped into the ballroom, my breath caught.
The room was huge, with marble floors and chandeliers that sparkled like stars. Red and black dominated the crowd. Every woman was dressed in red, and every man in black. Masks covered most faces.
“This is perfect,” Athena whispered. “We will use the crowd to our advantage.”
But Tariq hadn’t put on his mask.
“You wait,” he whispered to me, “I want them all to see my beautiful fiancée.”
That made my hands cold.
He led me across the ballroom as everyone stared. Some women smiled at me, some glared with jealousy, and I could feel the weight of every gaze.
“Alpha Tariq,” someone called warmly.
I turned and saw a tall man approaching.
“This is my good friend Damon, the Alpha of Duskfang,” Tariq told me.
“Pleased to meet you,” the Alpha of Duskfang said with a polite bow.
“You too,” I replied softly.
“You’ve chosen a lovely mate,” Alpha Damon remarked.
Tariq grinned. “I’m a lucky man.”
They continued talking about politics and pack alliances. My ears buzzed as I only half-listened. My eyes kept moving and marking the ballroom. “There,” I thought. “And there.”
There were at least three doors to the outside, plus one small archway that looked like it led to a garden.
“That might be my best way,” I decided.
Athena agreed. “Remember the plan. Don’t hesitate when the chance comes.”
“Shall we dance?” Tariq suddenly asked me.
I froze. “Oh,” I murmured, “I’m a terrible dancer.”
“That’s fine,” he said, voice smooth. “I’ll lead you.”
Before I could protest, he was tugging me onto the dance floor.
The music was loud. Too loud. The crowd around us was dense. Tariq held me close. He was spinning me carefully as the rhythm swept us into its embrace.
“You look like a queen tonight,” Tariq said softly into my ear.
I forced a smile. My hands were clammy.
Athena was quiet in my mind. “Focus,” she told me.
And then I noticed a pair of eyes in the crowd. Gray eyes. They were deep and stormy gray. They were glowing even behind the mask.
“He looks familiar,” I thought. My heart skipped a beat.
Athena stirred. “He could be someone dangerous. Be careful.”
Tariq kept turning me and pulling me closer. My pulse was loud in my ears.
When the song ended, I pulled back slightly. “Can we take a break?”
He frowned, then nodded. “Of course. Let’s get a drink.”
As we walked to the side, a server appeared.
“Some drinks, sir?” the boy asked.
“Yes,” Tariq replied.
As the server handed me a glass of deep red liquid, my hands trembled with an idea.
“Do it,” Athena urged.
And I did.
As I took the glass, I deliberately stumbled into Tariq’s chest. Red liquid splashed across his suit.
“Oh no!” I gasped. “Tariq, I’m so sorry.”
He glared at the stain spreading across his jacket.
“It’s fine,” he muttered, his voice tense. “I’ll clean up.”
“I really am sorry,” I kept repeating as he grabbed my hands.
“I’ll go to the washroom,” he told me, clearly annoyed. “Stay here.”
He gave me one last long look before turning and pushing into the crowd.
I didn’t wait.
The second his back was lost in the crowd, I grabbed my mask and tied it on.
My hands were trembling as I slipped into the crowd myself.
Athena spoke calmly. “Go.”
I moved quickly toward the nearest door. Bodies pressed around me. Masks flashed in my vision. Red dresses and swirling lights made me dizzy, but I kept going.
“Almost there,” I thought.
And then I was outside. The cool night air hit my face.
I looked around frantically. There were trees, gardens, shadows. I needed to escape.
“Keep moving,” Athena urged.
I broke into a run.
I slipped into the gardens, my feet moving faster with every breath. My heels caught in the grass, so I kicked them off and kept going.
I had almost reached the gates when a strong hand grabbed my arm.
I screamed.
A big hand clamped over my mouth.
My heart slammed in my chest as I kicked and fought against the grip.
“Shh,” a deep voice hissed.
I struggled harder, my hands reaching to claw at whoever held me.
“Stop,” the voice growled.
Athena was growling in my mind, too.
And then I heard my name.
“Leah.”
That one word froze me.
I turned slowly, trembling.
And stared into a pair of familiar gray eyes.