The Luna's beta

CHAPTER.3

THE BANQUET

As soon as Thomas's presence was announced, Linda and the maid quickly and quietly concealed Jackson under the bed.

"Let him in," Linda whispered to the maid.

Thomas entered the room, greeted by Linda and the maid. "Good evening, Your Highness," they both said. Thomas, seemingly impatient, questioned why it took them so long to respond.

"I was undressed, so I was trying to put something on," Linda explained. Thomas, still suspicious, continued to look around the room, as if searching for something.

"I came to inform you that the banquet will start soon, so don't be late if you are attending," Thomas said before finally leaving the room. Linda, with a sigh of relief, assured him she wouldn't be late. As Thomas left, Linda and the maid carefully pulled Jackson out from under the bed, ensuring their secret was safe.

Linda told the maid to look after Jackson that she is attending the banquet and that she has to let her father know what was going on.

As Thomas left Linda's room and headed to the banquet, a complex dynamic unfolded. Thomas and Linda were siblings with different mothers – Thomas's mother being a werewolf alpha and Linda's mother a human. Despite their shared bloodline, Thomas's mother harbored resentment towards Linda and her mother. However, Thomas cared deeply for his younger sister.

Upon arriving at Linda's chamber to inform her about the banquet, Thomas sensed something amiss but couldn't quite put his finger on it. Deciding to proceed to the banquet, he joined the festivities. King Robert, accompanied by Thomas's werewolf mother, marked the official start of the celebration.

During the banquet, the absence of Jackson, the celebrated general who led the soldiers in the recent war, did not go unnoticed. Thomas, sensing the chatter among the chiefs, observed the unfolding concern. The second-rank chief acknowledged the king's achievements but couldn't ignore Jackson's absence. The king, choosing to maintain composure, attributed Jackson's non-attendance to receiving a message.

As the banquet continued, the air became thick with unspoken questions and tension. The absence of Jackson, coupled with the mysterious circumstances, added a layer of intrigue to the celebration.

After the banquet Linda hurried to her chamber to check if Jackson is ok without letting the Queen know what was going on even though they notice something fishy.

King Robert, unnoticed by the revelers, quietly made his way to Linda's chamber after the banquet. Linda, attending to Jackson, immediately acknowledged the king's presence.

"Your Majesty, you are here," Linda greeted him respectfully.

"How is his health now?" King Robert inquired, concerned about Jackson's well-being.

"The doctor said he will be fine. He was weak because the dagger had been in him for days," Linda explained.

"Take care of him," the king instructed before silently leaving Linda's chamber and returning to his own quarters.Linda nursed Jackson till she slept off.

It was another morning in the palace. Jackson woke up in Linda's room, surprised to find himself there. Waking up in the palace brought a sense of happiness, but the weight of yesterday's meeting lingered. He couldn't shake off the sadness, and as he pondered the situation, finding a way to uncover the source of the news and their motives became a priority.

As he got dressed, he pondered how he ended up in her chamber. He remembered missing the banquet and felt the need to apologize to King Robert.

Arriving at the king's chamber, Jackson found him sipping wine. "Morning, Your Majesty," he greeted. King Robert inquired about his health and expressed surprise at his early visit.

"My lord, I know I've offended you by missing the banquet. My absence was a dishonor to you, and I apologize," Jackson said, kneeling before the king.

King Robert looked at Jackson with a stern expression, evaluating the sincerity in his eyes.

"Explain yourself, Jackson. Why did you miss the banquet, and why did you end up in Linda's chamber?" the king inquired, his tone holding a mix of curiosity and concern.

Jackson, still on his knees, began recounting the events from the previous night, emphasizing his sudden collapse and Linda's subsequent care. He expressed gratitude for Linda's assistance and acknowledged his responsibility for missing the banquet.

King Robert listened attentively, his face softening as he processed the information. After a moment of silence, he spoke, "Your health comes first. I appreciate your honesty. Stand up, Jackson. Let's discuss how we can move forward from here."

As Jackson rose, the king continued to assess the situation, contemplating the implications of the events that unfolded in his palace.

Today marked the beginning of Jackson's official duties as the palace guard commander. His first task involved escorting the king to the council meeting.

The council meeting, a crucial gathering of advisors and dignitaries, awaited his participation.

Entering the council chamber, Jackson noticed the intricate designs adorning the walls, depicting historical events and battles. The room held an air of authority and decision-making. As the newly appointed guard commander, he took his designated place, exchanging nods with other commanders and officials.

The meeting commenced with discussions on kingdom affairs, security measures, and strategic plans. Jackson listened intently, absorbing the complexities of governance. His mind, however, occasionally drifted to Linda and the events that transpired in her chamber.

As the council meeting progressed, the king noticed Jackson present and asked for his contributed valuable insights on security matters.

The second rank chief and other officials are against it but king Robert insists on his ideals on the state matters.

His knowledge of battlefield strategies proved beneficial in crafting defense plans for the kingdom. The king, recognizing Jackson's capabilities, acknowledged his input with a nod of approval.

As the meeting concluded, Jackson felt a mix of accomplishment and anticipation for the challenges ahead. He excuses himself.

In search of a way to keep himself occupied, Jackson decided to engage in some training. The palace training ground became his destination. As he exercised, memories from his childhood flooded back the tragedy of his mother's death and the invasion of their village. The anger of feeling powerless, unable to save his mother, resurfaced.

Lost in these thoughts, he found himself transformed into a werewolf. It happened instinctively, a manifestation of the deep-seated emotions within him. As he turned, he was startled to see Linda, King Robert's daughter, standing at the doorstep.

Linda's eyes widened at the unexpected sight of such a werewolf within the palace grounds. The initial shock slowly turned into curiosity as she observed Jackson's transformation. Ther

e was a moment of silence, both acknowledging the unusual situation.