_Leah's POV_

I didn’t know how many days had passed but I was in constant pain. The cuts on my back, sides, and arms never stopped burning. The guards came once in a while, dropping scraps of food that were barely enough to keep me alive. A piece of old bread, a cup of dirty water and nothing to heal my wounds. My skin had become raw, and I could feel the infection starting to set in.

Fever raged through my body, making me shiver uncontrollably. Sweat poured from my forehead, but I was still cold, so cold. I didn’t know how much longer I could take it. My whole body ached. The fever brought on strange dreams, visions of my past life, of what could have been. I had once been hopeful. I had once believed that my mate, Kayden, would love and protect me. How foolish I had been.

Now, there was nothing left for me. No love. No future. Only pain.

I lay on the hard, cold floor, staring up at the ceiling. I was too weak to move, too tired to cry. My body was failing and I knew that I was going to die soon. The thought didn’t scare me anymore. In fact, it brought a strange kind of relief. Death would be a release from this suffering, and at least I wouldn’t have to feel the constant sting of rejection and betrayal any longer.

My thoughts drifted in and out of focus as the fever took hold of me again. I could hear voices in my head, faint and distant. Was it the Moon Goddess calling me? Was she finally answering my prayers?

A soft noise broke through the haze of my mind. It wasn’t the usual clank of guards’ boots or the metallic scrape of keys. It was quieter, more deliberate, like someone trying to be careful. I blinked. I was struggling to focus. The door to my cell creaked open, but it wasn’t the guards.

A figure stepped inside. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with golden hair that glimmered even in the dim light of the cellar. His eyes, a striking shade of blue, locked onto mine. I felt my breath catch in my throat. He wasn’t wearing the uniform of the guards, and for a moment, I wondered if I was hallucinating.

“Who are you?” My voice was barely a whisper, weak and broken.

“Don’t be afraid, my queen,” he said softly while taking a step toward me. “I’m here to help you.”

I stared at him, my heart pounding. Queen? Was this some kind of cruel joke? I tried to move away from him, crawling backward across the cold stone floor, but my body was too weak to get far. My limbs trembled with the effort.

“I’m not your queen,” I said. “You’re mistaken. Please, just leave me alone.”

He knelt down beside me, his movements slow and gentle, as if he didn’t want to startle me. “Leah, I know what they have done to you, but I swear, I am here to take you away from this place.”

I shook my head. This had to be some kind of trick. “Why should I trust you? You’re probably just another one of them.”

His gaze softened, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I saw something I hadn’t seen in so long. Compassion. “I’m not like them, Leah. My name is Tariq, and I have been watching, waiting for the right time to save you. But we need to go. Now.”

“Tariq?” The name sounded familiar, like a whisper I had heard in a dream. But it didn’t make sense. Nothing made sense anymore.

I tried to push myself up, to stand, but my legs gave out beneath me. Before I hit the ground, Tariq’s strong arms wrapped around me, catching me just in time. His touch was gentle, careful not to press on my wounds, and for a moment, I felt a strange warmth radiating from him. It was a feeling I hadn’t experienced in so long; comfort and safety.

“Why… why are you helping me?” I asked, my voice shaking. “I don’t even know you.”

“There’s no time to explain everything right now,” he said, his eyes darting toward the door. “The guards will notice I’m gone soon, and they’ll come looking. We need to get out of here before that happens.”

I nodded, even though my mind was still spinning with confusion. I didn’t have the strength to argue. I didn’t have the strength for anything anymore. All I wanted was to get away from this place, to escape the nightmare that had become my life.

Tariq shifted me in his arms, carrying me effortlessly as if I weighed nothing. He moved quickly but quietly, making sure to avoid the patrols as we slipped out of the cellar. I rested my head against his chest.

The cold night air hit me like a shock as we stepped out into the open. The scent of the forest surrounded us, fresh and alive, so different from the damp, suffocating air of the cellar. I took a deep breath, my chest aching, but the crisp air was a relief.

“We’re almost there,” Tariq whispered as he carried me into the cover of the trees. His movements were swift and careful, his eyes constantly scanning the area around us. He was focused and determined.

Once we were deep enough into the woods, Tariq gently lowered me to the ground, making sure I was resting against a soft patch of grass. I winced as my wounds protested the movement, but I didn’t cry out. The pain was a part of me now, as familiar as breathing.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice filled with concern as he knelt beside me.

I nodded weakly, though I wasn’t alright. My entire body felt like it was on fire, and the fever had taken hold of me again, making everything blur at the edges. “I… I don’t understand,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why are you doing this? Why are you calling me queen?”

Tariq’s blue eyes met mine. “Because you are a queen, Leah. You don’t remember yet, but you’re meant for something greater than this. Kayden and Selena, they have tried to break you, but you’re stronger than they know.”

I stared at him, confusion swirling in my mind. “I’m no queen,” I said, my voice trembling. “I’m just… I’m just an omega.”

Tariq shook his head. “You’re so much more than that. And I promise, I’ll help you remember who you truly are. But for now, we need to get you to safety.”

I didn’t know if I could believe him. Everything in my life had been shattered, and now this stranger was telling me I was something I couldn’t even fathom.

“I don’t understand,” I whispered, my throat tight. “I’ve lost everything. How can I be anything more?”

Tariq reached out, his hand hovering just above mine as if he was afraid to touch me. “I know it feels like that now,” he said softly, his voice filled with emotion. “But you haven’t lost everything, Leah. You still have a future. You still have a destiny. And I’ll help you find it.”

His words were like a lifeline, something to hold onto in the storm of my mind. For so long, I had believed I was nothing. That I was destined to live in the shadows, to be weak and forgotten. But now, for the first time, someone was telling me otherwise.

“Why… why me?” I asked, my voice trembling with uncertainty.

Tariq’s gaze softened as he looked at me. “Because you’re special, Leah. You’ve always been special. And I’m going to prove that to you.”

I swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down on me. Could it be true? Could I really be something more than the broken girl Kayden had left behind?

Before I could say anything else, a distant howl echoed through the trees. Tariq’s expression tensed, and he stood up quickly, scanning the area around us. “We need to move,” he said, his voice low. “They’re coming. Can you walk?”

I tried to stand, but my legs wobbled beneath me, too weak from the fever and the pain. Tariq caught me before I fell.

“I’ve got you,” he said softly, lifting me into his arms again. “I won’t let them take you back.”

As he carried me deeper into the forest, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time. There was a glimmer of hope.

_Leah's POV_

Tariq carried me through the thick woods for what felt like hours. My body was limp in his arms, every muscle too weak to respond. The cold night air bit at my skin, but somehow, his warmth shielded me from the worst of it. I didn’t understand how he could be so gentle after all the cruelty I had known. Every time he looked at me, his gaze was filled with kindness.

Eventually, we reached a small cottage nestled between the trees. It was old but sturdy, with smoke rising from a chimney. Tariq stopped and whistled three times. His breath was visible in the cool air. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing an older woman with silver hair tied back in a loose bun. Her eyes were sharp but filled with warmth.

“Tariq,” she said softly. “Is this her?”

He nodded and gently carried me inside. “She needs help, Mother. Quickly.”

The inside of the cottage was small but cozy. The air was filled with the scent of herbs and burning wood. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the room. My body, still racked with fever chills, immediately relaxed at the sight of the fire. Tariq laid me down on a soft couch near the chimney. The warmth seeped into my bones, and for the first time in days, I felt a bit of comfort.

I glanced up at Tariq as he knelt beside me. He gave me a reassuring smile. “You’re safe now, Leah. But I need to take a look at your wounds. Turn around for me, alright?”

I hesitated but his kindness made me trust him. Slowly, I turned onto my side, wincing as the movement pulled at the torn skin on my back. Tariq’s eyes darkened with concern when he saw the extent of the damage.

“Susan, bring me the ointment and the medical kit,” he called to the woman, who was already bustling around the room.

The woman, his mother, hurried back with a small box and a jar filled with a thick and green paste. She handed them to Tariq without a word. Her eyes were soft as she looked at me. “Don’t worry, dear. You’re in good hands now,” she said, her voice full of reassurance.

Tariq opened the medical kit and pulled out some cotton. I tensed, knowing that cleaning the wounds would hurt, but he was so gentle with me. As he carefully wiped the blood and dirt from my back, I couldn’t help but flinch.

“I know it hurts,” he said softly. “But this will help you heal.”

I nodded and bit my lip to keep from crying out. His touch was careful but the pain was still sharp. After he cleaned the wounds, he applied the ointment, which felt cool against my burning skin. I exhaled a shaky breath. I was grateful for the relief it brought.

Tariq wrapped the bandages around me. His hands were working with precision and care. I couldn’t help but think about how different he was from Kayden. Where Kayden had caused me nothing but pain, Tariq was bringing me comfort and healing. I found myself wishing that the Moon Goddess had mated me to someone like him instead of Kayden. Maybe things would have been different.

Once he was done, Tariq sat back on his heels and met my eyes. “It’ll hurt for a while, but you’ll heal faster now,” he said.

“Thank you,” I whispered. My voice was still weak but I meant it with all my heart.

Tariq’s mother, Susan, gave him a proud smile before turning to me. “Come with me, dear,” she said gently. “Let’s find you some clean clothes. You can’t stay in those rags.”

I hesitated, feeling too weak to even move, but I nodded. Susan helped me stand, and I leaned on her as we walked toward a small set of stairs. “Yes, madam,” I said softly.

She chuckled. “Call me Susan, child. None of that ‘madam’ nonsense.”

Upstairs, she led me into a small and simple room. There was a large wardrobe against the wall, and she rummaged through it, finally pulling out an oversized dress. “This should do for now,” she said, holding it out to me.

The dress was far too big for me, but I accepted it gratefully. “It’s perfect,” I told her, even though it hung loose on my frame. I didn’t care. Anything was better than the torn and bloodied clothes I had been wearing.

“I’m sorry it’s so big,” Susan said with an apologetic smile. “I’m not exactly your size, as you can see.” She laughed softly while patting her round belly.

I shook my head quickly. “No, it’s fine. I’m just grateful for anything. I’m the one disrupting your lives.”

“Nonsense,” she replied. “You are no burden, Leah. You need help and we’re here to give it.”

Her words touched me and I nodded. I was too tired to argue. I slipped into the dress, the soft fabric soothing against my aching skin.

“You must be exhausted,” Susan said and guided me toward a small bed in the adjacent room. “Get some rest. You have been through more than anyone should.”

I wanted to rest, but there were so many questions swirling in my mind. “I need to talk to Tariq. There’s so much I don’t understand.”

Susan gave me a sympathetic look. “I know, dear. But he’ll answer all your questions tomorrow. For now, you need to sleep. Rest is the most important thing.”

I opened my mouth to protest but quickly realized that she was right. My body was too weak, too tired to do anything but lie down. I nodded and let her lead me to the small bed. It was simple but comfortable, and as soon as I lay down, I felt the weight of exhaustion pulling at me.

“Goodnight, Leah,” Susan said softly, her hand brushing over my forehead in a motherly gesture before she quietly left the room.

I stared up at the ceiling, my thoughts racing despite my fatigue. Tariq had saved me, but how had he known about me? How long had he been watching me? He said I was meant for something more, but what could that possibly be? I had spent so long feeling like I was nothing, like I didn’t matter. Could he really believe otherwise?

As I lay there, the warmth of the bed and the soft crackling of the fire downstairs slowly lulled me into a sense of peace. Tariq had risked his life to save me. I had to trust him. He had been so gentle and so kind.

But who was he really? And why did he seem to care so much about me?

I closed my eyes. I was too tired to think anymore. My body ached, but for the first time in days, I felt safe. I would have to wait until tomorrow for answers, but for now, sleep was all I needed.

As the darkness took hold, I whispered a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess, thanking her for sending me Tariq. He was an angel.

_Leah's POV_

The next morning, I woke up in the small, cozy bed feeling more rested than I had in a long time. My muscles were still sore, but the intense pain from my wounds had lessened, thanks to Tariq's care. The sunlight streamed through the small window, casting a golden hue across the room. For a moment, I just lay there, taking in the peace and quiet. It was hard to believe that just a day ago, I had been on the verge of collapse.

I slowly sat up, rubbing my eyes, and stretched my stiff limbs. The oversized dress Susan had given me was soft and comforting, far better than the torn rags I had been wearing before. My mind drifted to Tariq. He had been so kind, so gentle. I couldn’t understand why someone like him cared about me. But I was grateful, more than I could express.

The scent of something cooking reached my nose, and my stomach growled in response. I realized how hungry I was. Slowly, I stood up, careful not to jostle my bandaged wounds too much, and made my way downstairs.

In the small kitchen, I found Susan humming softly as she worked over the stove. The warm scent of herbs and something frying filled the room, and the fire in the hearth crackled cheerfully. She turned when she heard me, her face lighting up with a smile.

“Good morning, dear. Did you sleep well?” she asked kindly.

“Yes, thank you,” I replied softly, feeling a little shy. I wasn’t used to this kind of warmth from others. “Everything was perfect.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” she said while wiping her hands on a towel. “Now, what would you like for breakfast?”

I hesitated. I did not want to be a bother. “Oh, whatever you have is fine. I am not picky.”

She chuckled and waved her hand dismissively. “Nonsense. You’re a guest here, and we take care of our guests. How about some eggs, bacon, and fresh bread?”

I smiled, my mouth watering at the thought. “That sounds amazing.”

Susan busied herself with preparing the food, moving around the kitchen with ease and grace. I watched her, feeling an odd sense of comfort in the domesticity of it all. It reminded me of simpler times, back when my life hadn’t been filled with pain and heartache.

She set the table with two plates and motioned for me to sit down. “Here you go, dear,” she said and placed a plate in front of me, filled with eggs, bacon, and a thick slice of buttered bread. “Eat up. You need your strength.”

I picked up my fork and took a bite, savoring the delicious flavors. It was simple food, but it tasted like heaven after everything I had been through. As we ate, Susan sat across from me.

“Where’s Tariq?” I asked between bites, glancing around the room.

“He had to run an errand. He will be back soon.”

I nodded, feeling a little disappointed that he wasn’t here. I wasn’t sure why I felt that way, but I found myself looking forward to seeing him again.

Susan and I chatted for a while as we ate. She was easy to talk to, her voice soothing and calm. I asked her about their life here in the forest, and she told me their story.

“My husband, Tariq’s father, was once part of the Emerald Pack,” she began. “He was a good man, loyal to the pack. But one day, the Alpha accused him of stealing. It was a lie, of course, but the Alpha didn’t care. He banished us all; me, my husband, and our little Tariq, who was just a baby at the time.”

I looked at her with wide eyes, my heart aching for them. “That’s horrible. How could they do that?”

She shrugged, a sad smile tugging at her lips. “That’s the way of the world sometimes, dear. My husband tried to defend his honor, but it didn’t matter. We were cast out, forced to live in the wilderness. It was a hard life, but we managed. Until...”

Her voice trailed off, and I saw the pain in her eyes. I reached across the table and gently touched her hand. “What happened?” I asked softly.

“Rogues,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “They attacked us one night. My husband... he fought them off, but he didn’t survive.”

I felt a lump form in my throat. “I’m so sorry, Susan. That must have been awful.”

She nodded. “It was. But Tariq and I survived. We have been living here ever since, making the best of things. It’s peaceful, at least. And I am grateful for that.”

I squeezed her hand, my heart aching for her loss. “You’re very strong, Susan. I don’t know how you have managed all these years.”

She gave me a small smile. “We do what we have to, don’t we? Life goes on, and we must find a way to live.”

Before I could say anything more, there was a knock at the door. Susan stood up quickly, wiping her hands on her apron. “That must be Tariq,” she said with a smile.

She went to the door and opened it, and sure enough, Tariq stepped inside, carrying a few bags. His eyes immediately found mine, and he smiled softly as he set the bags down on the table.

“I see you’re feeling better this morning,” he said, his voice warm and gentle.

“I am,” I replied, smiling shyly. “Thank you for everything, Tariq. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

He waved his hand dismissively as he walked to the sink to wash his hands. “There’s no need for that. I’m just glad you’re alright.”

Susan served him a plate of breakfast, and he joined us at the table. As we ate, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace. It was strange, sitting here with these people who had been strangers to me just yesterday, but now it felt like I was part of something... something good.