The Luna's beta

CHAPTER 2

THE GIFT

In the sudden presence of the king, Jackson found himself struck with a mix of awe and shock. Bowing respectfully, he greeted the king , his eyes fixed on the gleaming sword in his hand.

"Jackson," King Robert spoke, his voice commanding attention.

"Yes, your majesty," he replied, maintaining a posture of respect.

"You have proven yourself a great warrior, and this kingdom has achieved many victories with your aid. I am immensely proud to hear of your triumphs today," the king acknowledged.

"It's my pleasure, my lord," Jackson responded, head still bowed.

Then, with a sense of profound significance, King Robert declared, "As a father, I offer you a gift." He extended the silver sword towards Jackson, its lustrous blade catching the ambient light.

"This is the sword I wielded in my last war before ascending to the throne. I wish to pass it on to you. From this moment onward, you will be my guard, residing within this palace alongside my family and me," the king proclaimed, marking a pivotal shift in Jackson’s role and status within the kingdom.

On his knees, he accepted the sword from the king with gratitude. "Thanks, my lord," he expressed, feeling the weight of the gift and the newfound responsibility.

He chuckled, motioning Jackson to follow him. "Come on, follow. I have something to show you, and I've arranged a dress for you at the banquet."

Entering another room within his chamber, Jackson was met with a vast collection of men's dresses. The king gestured broadly, "Pick anyone you want. I'll see you later."

He left the room, leaving me Jackson to navigate through the sea of options. Jackson settled on one and changed into it, glancing at himself in the room's sizable mirror. Adorned in the new attire, he marveled at the transformation.

Jackson had a towering figure with a fair complexion, possessed a physique that commanded attention.

Despite his striking appearance, his thoughts drifted to the lack of romantic entanglements. Battlefields had consumed most of his life, leaving little room for matters of the heart.

As he prepared for the upcoming celebration, a sense of intrigue and uncertainty lingered, both about the night's festivities and the unexpected turn his journey had taken.

As he gazed at his reflection in the mirror, he removed the dress, leaving him in his short trousers. His attention turned to the mark on his chest, a reminder of the LABAR war, etched by the silver sword.

Unexpectedly, the tranquility of the moment was disrupted by the entrance of someone into the room. Through the mirror, he glimpsed Linda, the king's daughter.

"Well, well, look who we have here – the great warrior, Jackson," she greeted with a smile.

Turning to face her, he bowed respectfully. "Your Highness," he acknowledged.

Curious about the battle, she inquired, "How was the battle?"

"Everything was okay, my lady," he assured her, attempting to downplay any concerns.

But Linda, perceptive as ever, pointed to the unhealed wound on Jackson’s chest. "Are you sure? What about the mark on your chest? It doesn't seem to be healing."

"It's nothing, my lady," he replied, trying to dismiss it.

Skeptical, she pressed the wound, causing him to groan in pain. "Really?" she questioned, her gaze unwavering.

"Follow me," she commanded, signaling an unexpected turn in the evening's events.

Following Linda to a room, Jackson dressed quickly before stopping. She commanded one of the maids to fetch treatment supplies.

"Are you going to stand there all day?" she teased, gesturing for him to sit.

"I'm okay, my lady," Jackson insisted, but she wasn't having it.

"Sit down. It's a command," she asserted, and he complied.

She began sharing stories her father had told her about him, including the tale of his first full moon transformation. Her laughter filled the room.

"Sorry for that," she offered, the jest apparent.

Eager to shift the conversation, she asked about the battleground. "Tell me about your first war," she pressed.

Reluctantly, Jackson replied, "There's nothing about the battleground; it's just a place of bloodshed."

Unsatisfied, Linda probed further. "I know there's more. Tell me about your first war."

Caught in her persistence, he remained silent. The arrival of the maid with treatment supplies provided a brief reprieve. Linda took charge in collecting the materials and instructing him to undress.

As Linda treated Jackson’s wound, she looked into his eyes and remarked, "I think there's something inside your chest." The suggestion of cutting him to remove it was met with a hesitant agreement.

She proceeded to make an incision, and while it felt painless initially, a sudden, sharp sensation accompanied the extraction of an unexpected object – a half-cut dagger embedded in his chest.

Her shock was palpable. "Wait, this has been in you since when?" she exclaimed.

"In the battle, for the past seven days," he admitted, surprised by the discovery himself.

"So this has been in you for seven days?" she repeated, disbelief coloring her tone. As he glanced at her, his vision blurred, and the room seemed to fade away, leaving him in a state of uncertainty and vulnerability.

"My lady, I think I have to go," Jackson uttered, attempting to stand.

"Are you okay?" she inquired, concerned with furrowing her brows.

"Yes, I am," he assured, but she persisted, "But I think I was asking you something."

"I know, but I have to prepare for the banquet," he replied, making an effort to excuse himself.However, a sudden wave of dizziness fell on him, and before he could know what was happening, everything went blank.

**************

In an instant, Jackson collapsed, sending shockwaves of worry through Linda and the concerned maid. Panic set in as Linda desperately tried to rouse him.

"Jackson, can you hear me?" Linda called out anxiously.

The maid chimed in, "My lady, I think it might be the treatment. We need to get him to your chamber and tend to him."

Linda swiftly took charge, shouting for the guards, "Guards! Anyone there?"

In a quick response, she directed them, "Take him to my chamber, and fetch a physician immediately."

"Ok, my lady," the guard acknowledged, swiftly assisting in transporting Jackson to Linda's room, where the urgency of the situation hung heavy in the air.

As soon as he was brought into Linda's room, she carefully removed his clothes, revealing a wound that seemed to have healed but not completely. Linda gazed at him with genuine concern, her feelings for Jackson growing stronger with each passing day.

Having developed emotions for Jackson since the first time she laid eyes on him, expressing these feelings proved to be a challenge for Linda. Jackson embodied the qualities of every woman's dream – fiercely loyal and dedicated. His years of service to King Robert had only deepened his commitment.

In the werewolf realm, betrayal often arose from a desire for power, a thirst for becoming an alpha. However, Linda hadn't detected any such ambitions in Jackson. He remained steadfast, unaffected by the allure of dominance. Linda's heart secretly held affection for Jackson as she contemplated these emotions, but her thoughts were interrupted when the doctor entered the room.

"My lady, you sent for me," the doctor said after entering the room.

"Yes, I did," Linda replied. "He collapsed minutes after the treatment. I removed a small silver dagger from his chest; it had been there for days. After I treated him, he seemed fine, but he collapsed minutes later," Linda explained, with a worried expression on her face.

The doctor approached Jackson to examine him. Linda turned to the maid and the guard.

"All that happened here today must not be told to anybody, including my father, and am I clear," she asserted.

"Yes, Your Highness," they responded in unison.

Linda was well aware that if news of Jackson's collapse spread through the palace, it could cause tension and potentially tarnish his image as a general who led soldiers into war. This might delight his rivals. After the doctor finished examining Jackson, he assured the princess, "My lady, he will be okay, but he has to rest to recover quickly. The wound has healed physically, but it needs time on the inside."

"Alright, no problem," Linda replied, and the doctor left. As the guards departed, the maid lingered, expressing her concern.

"My lady, are you going to be okay alone with him? What about the banquet? Are you not attending?" the maid asked.

"I will attend," Linda asserted, covering Jackson with clothes. "You must make sure no one enters my room once I've left. Is that clear?"

"Yes, m

y lady," the maid replied. As they discussed, a guard outside Linda's room announced the presence of Thomas, her brother.