_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.

_Leah's POV_

Once we had finished eating, Tariq turned to me, his expression thoughtful. “Did you sleep well last night?” he asked.

“I did,” I said, nodding. “Better than I have in a long time. Thank you, Tariq. And thank you, Susan, for your hospitality.”

Susan smiled warmly at me, but I noticed Tariq’s eyes lingered on me, as if he was trying to figure something out. Finally, I couldn’t hold back the question that had been nagging at me since last night.

“Tariq,” I began hesitantly, “last night, you said something about me being... a queen. What did you mean by that?”

Tariq’s expression shifted, growing more serious. He cleared his throat, glancing at his mother before turning back to me. “Leah, there is something that you need to know. You are the last descendant of a powerful bloodline. A royal bloodline, in fact.”

I stared at him, my heart skipping a beat. “What? No, that can’t be right. I’m... I’m an omega. My mother was an omega, and my father.....”

“Your mother was royalty,” Tariq interrupted gently. “She was the rightful heir to a throne, but she chose to walk away from it. She gave up her crown when she mated with your father, an ordinary man.”

I shook my head, unable to process what he was saying. “No, that’s impossible. My mother never told me any of this.”

“She couldn’t,” Susan interjected softly. “Your mother went to great lengths to protect you. You see, there’s an ancient curse on your bloodline, placed by a rival Alpha long ago. Your mother hid your identity to keep you safe. She even sealed your powers with the help of a witch.”

I blinked at her, feeling completely overwhelmed. “Sealed my powers? What are you talking about?”

“Your mother was powerful, Leah, and so are you. But she used magic to suppress your wolf, to make you appear weaker. She did it to protect you from those who might seek to harm you because of the curse.”

My mind was spinning. “But... if she sealed my powers, how will they come back? How do you know all of this?”

Tariq and Susan exchanged a glance, and it was Tariq who spoke first. “My mother is a seer, Leah. She has psychic gifts. She foresaw this long ago.”

Susan nodded. “And the seal on your powers has already started to break. When Kayden rejected you, it triggered the return of your abilities. They will come back gradually, and when they do, you will be stronger than you have ever imagined.”

I sat there, stunned, trying to wrap my mind around everything they were telling me. I was supposed to be... royalty? Me? An omega who had spent her entire life being told she was worthless?

“I... I don’t understand,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Why are you helping me? Why do you care?”

Susan’s eyes softened, and she reached across the table to take my hand. “Your mother saved our lives once, Leah. When the Alpha of the Emerald Pack accused my husband, we were all going to be executed. But your mother used her royal status to lighten our sentence. Thanks to her, we were only banished. We owe her everything.” She looked me in the eyes, her gaze full of warmth and sincerity. “Now, I will do whatever it takes to protect her daughter. You.”

My chest tightened. This was all so much to take in. My mother… a royal? And me, too? I felt like I was caught in a whirlwind. How could this be possible? All my life, I had been treated as nothing more than an omega. The lowest of the low. And now, they were telling me I was of royal blood?

I glanced between Susan and Tariq, my mind reeling. “This has to be a joke. There is no way this is true. I can’t be… I am just…” I struggled to find the words. I was feeling utterly overwhelmed. “I am just an omega. I can’t accept this.”

Tariq’s eyes were gentle as he looked at me. “Leah, I know that this is hard to believe. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Wait a few more days. Your powers are returning, and when they do, you’ll feel it. Then, you’ll know we’re telling the truth.”

Could it really be true? I shook my head, trying to push away the doubt creeping in. It didn’t feel real. It felt impossible. But deep down, there was a small part of me that wondered… What if they were right?

We finished breakfast in relative silence. My thoughts were a chaotic storm of confusion, disbelief, and a strange sense of hope. When Susan stood to clear the dishes, I felt guilty just sitting there.

“Let me help,” I offered. I stood up quickly. “I can wash the dishes.”

Susan gave me a kind smile and shook her head. “No, dear. You have been through enough. You rest. Let me take care of it.”

I hesitated, feeling useless, but I finally nodded and sat back down. I was still too sore to argue much, anyway.

Tariq stood up as well. “I need to check your wounds,” he said. “Let me help you change the bandages and see if they are healing properly.”

I felt a strange flutter in my stomach at his words, but I nodded. “Okay."

He led me back upstairs to the small room where I had slept. The air felt cooler here, the light softer, but my heart was racing. I sat on the bed, pulling up my shirt to expose the bandages on my back. Tariq's touch was gentle as he began unwrapping the fabric.

“Does it hurt much?” he asked quietly.

“Not as much as before,” I admitted. “You did a good job.”

His lips curved into a small smile, but his focus remained on my wounds. I watched him as he worked, noticing the way his brow furrowed slightly in concentration. His hands were so careful, treating me as if I were something fragile. I wasn’t used to this kind of care. Not from anyone.

The bandages finally came off, revealing the gashes that ran down my back.

“They’re healing,” Tariq said softly, his fingers brushing lightly over the edges of the wound. “But you will need to rest for a few more days.”

I nodded, unable to find the words. There was something about being this close to him, with his hands on me, that made my heart race. He was so calm, so focused. And it made me feel safe. Maybe, I was romantically attracted to Tariq.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

He glanced up at me, his eyes locking onto mine. “You don’t have to thank me, Leah.”

But I did. I felt like I owed him everything. He had saved me when I had no one else. And as much as I wanted to deny it, a part of me wanted to believe him. To believe that I wasn’t just the broken omega I had always thought I was.

Maybe… just maybe… I was something more.