The Luna Queen's Anniversary celebration

Hector opened his eyes, looking around

the unfamiliar environment around him. The morning sun rays shone on his face, almost blinding his eyes.

Where on earth am I?”

“Am I dead?”

“Where am I?”

He tried to get up but couldn't as his head ached so badly and he had sustained injuries all over, his clothes were completely torn. Making him look like a fugitive.

He laid on the ground for some minutes, that's when the thought suddenly struck him.

“What about my mother, Luna Emelda? Is she still alive? And if she is, where is she?”

He combed the environment with his eyes looking out for Luna Emelda. Just as he was looking through the woods, Luna Emelda came out of the bushes with some leaves in her hands.

Seeing Hector sitting up, she ran for joy and hugged him.

“You're finally up son, I was scared you weren't going to regain consciousness so I went into the forest to get whatever kind of herbal leaf I can lay my hands on. How are you feeling son?”

“Mother, I am fine.”

There and then the realization that they were on the quest for solution before they were ambushed by those bandits hits him.

“Mother, are we anywhere near the Lycan packs territory? Can we still make it to the Luna queen anniversary celebration?”

“Relax Hector, let's worry about that after you are fully recovered. We need to be in good shape to attend the ceremony. Look at how we look Hector? Our dresses are all torn and we look so tattered.”

“If we attend the ceremony looking like this, they might mistake us for beggars and throw us out. Why don't we go back and fix ourselves up before coming back. It doesn't have to be only on Luna queen's anniversary ceremony that we can ask for help.”

“Mother, our looks don't matter now. Going back to our clan looking like destitutes will only shatter the ray of hope we gave them when we ventured on this journey. We've come this far to back out now.”

“I must make it on time for the ceremony. Are you coming with me or not?”

Hector asked as he started moving,not looking back to care if his mother would go with him or not.

“Hector, wai–t.” Luna Emelda called out to Hector as she saw that he's already made up his mind to go on without her.

“I'm coming with you.” She cried out as she ran to meet up with him.

They continued their journey for hours non stop until they got to the entrance of the Lycan pack territory at long last.

The whole place was crowded and noisy. It boomed with so much excitement as everyone was dressed in their best. Hector and Luna Emelda slowly peered through the crowd asking anyone at sight to help direct them to the palace.

It took Hector and Luna Emelda a long while to locate the palace. They kept asking for directions to the palace but no one seemed to want to talk to them because of how bad they looked.

Finally they got to the palace and of course, the anniversary ceremony had already commenced. They happily joined the queue outside waiting for their turn to be allowed in.

But when it got to their turn, they weren't allowed to go into the hall by the guards because of how badly they looked.

Hector tried explaining to the guards the terrible experience they had on their way to the ceremony and that it is very important that they see the queen but the guards didn't seem to care. They only asked them to go and come back well dressed.

The heated arguments between the guards, Hector and Luna Emelda were already causing distraction as they were shouting on top of their voices.

They've been held outside for a long time and if things continue this way, they may never be allowed until the ceremony is over.

Desperate Hector dragged his mother, Luna Emelda, pushing past the guards and ran into the ballroom. They joined the guests in line to pay homage to the Queen.

Hireath, who recognized the voices from outside, but waved it off as she least expected to ever cross paths with anyone from the Halo clan was beyond, shocked to see Hector and Luna Emelda in flesh and blood.

Their presence reminded her of how much she suffered from an allegation she knew absolutely nothing about. The pains, the torment, the torture she undergo, and yet no one, not a single soul believed her. Her chest heaved and her eyes stung with gathering tears.

Hireath fought so hard to hold back her emotions as her eyes brimmed with tears at the sight of them. Hireath thought of how she was unfairly treated and how she was powerless back then to do anything about it to prove her innocence.

Furious and irritated by the presence, Hireath stood up and pointed at Hector and Luna Emelda with a loud shout she ordered that they come forward before her.

“You over there come here this instance.”

Every guest present was astonished at the way the queen called out to them. They've never seen her in this state of rage and fury.

Hector and Luna Emelda came before Hireath and paid homage to her.

“Where are your presents and why would you dare appear before my presence looking like filthy rags?” Hireath flared.

Malakai, also lost by the queen's sudden change of attitude, held her shoulder trying to calm her down.

“Your Majesty we are so sorry to show up before you looking like mere destitutes with no gift to offer to you but the truth is that we were ambushed on our way and we barely made it alive. We dare show up before you in this manner because we are desperate and in dire need of your help.” Hector explained and tears flowed down his eyes.

Hireath could not stand the sight of Hector crying as it broke her heart. She knew how much Hector loved and adored her before their relationship got sour. Her heart was shattered just by the sight of Hector looking so hopeless and miserable.

Hireath stood up from the throne.

“I want you both to leave now!” She ordered.

“There's nothing we can do to help you. I want you both gone this minute.” She said and walked out.

Hireath ran to her chambers, shut the door and broke down in tears.

Hector and Luna Emelda went on their knees begging Malakai to please help them speak to the queen on their behalf as the Lycan packs were the only hope for the Halo clan.

Hector and Luna Emelda opened up to Malakai on the recent catastrophes that befell the Halo clan and that if nothing is done about it, it'll only be a matter of time before the Halo clan goes extinct for good.

Malakai already touched and interested in Hector's case, asked the guards to take both Hector and Luna Emelda to a guest chamber pending when the queen will be in a better mood and they both figure out a way to help Hector and the Halo clan.

Malakai went after Hireath as he is still trying to understand what made his queen for the first time ever not show concern to those in need of help. He knew there must be a reason for her to react the way she did.

And whatever her reasons were, Malakai was willing to understand her and try his best to persuade her for them to both look into hector's case and find a way they can render help to them