Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 83: Hidden Priorities
Karl

The mahogany door clicks shut behind me as I step into the conference room.

Members of the council, influential businessmen and entrepreneurs who hold significant power in the

community, are already seated around the long table. I can feel the weight of their expectations

hanging in the air, but right now, my thoughts are preoccupied with something—or rather, someone—

else.

Before I can approach the table, my secretary, Gianna, is waiting by the door for me. “Good morning,

Alpha Karl,” she says, her voice low and even as usual. “Nice to see you after all this time.”

I nod as I slip my jacket off and hang it on the hook. “I’m glad to be back.”

“And you’re staying, I presume?” she asks, her eyes glinting with something unreadable.

For a moment, I feel almost like I’m being put on the spot. The others are preoccupied with their

preparations, but Gianna’s gaze is unwavering. I always knew that she disapproved of my… adventure

out to the city to win Abby back, but there’s something else in her gaze. Something I can’t quite put my

finger on.

“We’ll see,” I say, trying to be vague.

Gianna blinks slowly before handing me the meeting’s agenda in a leather bound folder. As she does,

our fingers brush, and she leans in.

“Sir, I know this might not be my place, but I heard that your… ex-wife is staying with you. Is that

correct?”

Her sudden choice of words gives me pause, especially in this setting. Slowly turning to face her, I can’t

help but notice a subtle furrow of her brows, a tightening around her eyes. “And if she is, would that be

that a problem?” I ask, keeping my voice neutral.

“No, not a problem,” she says, but her hesitation tells me otherwise. “Just… be careful around her, Karl.

You know how things were.”

I look at her squarely. “Abby never cheated on me. The gardener manipulated the situation. Let’s not

forget that.”

Gianna’s expression shifts, a hint of guilt flashing across her eyes, but before I can question it further,

hushed silence, signaling the meeting’s

push my concerns aside, focusing on

get started,” I say, scanning the room. “First on the

progresses smoothly enough. Various issues are discussed: business

But it’s the last item on the agenda

stomach tighten.

My brother’s condition.

local renowned physician and member of the council,

up from his coma soon. How

Alpha?”

on me, probing, scrutinizing. I maintain my composure. “I welcome

role of Alpha wouldn’t be a bad thing.” Of

a hint of humor. But at the same time, I can’t entirely deny

truth behind my words.

No matter how much I love

say that he’ll even be physically able to

through the room at my words. Then Mark, a council

vocal about his opinions, speaks

at a restaurant in the city, haven’t you,

is correct,” I say.

then shoots me an apprehensive look. “Perhaps being Alpha isn’t your top

words hang heavy in the air, and I can feel the

straight in the

for discussion,” I say,

knife.

as the council members gather their papers and

stiff handshakes as they leave the room. I stay seated for a moment

meeting sink

Gianna says once they’re gone, snapping me out of my reverie. “I think you should

tonight. We need to

up at her. There’s something off about her tone, something I can’t quite

decision. “You know

dinner at

a moment, a peculiar expression crosses her face.

identify. She quickly masks it with

I’ll

…

leather seat of my car, the engine

the steering wheel, my mind

return home for the weekend, the council’s thinly veiled criticism,

attention, but

prolonged silence. “You know, this

Abby,

ahead of him. “That was the goal, my friend. I’m even thinking of

before dinner. Let her

buying Abby the latest designer handbags, high-end