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,

signaling the meeting’s commencement. Gianna

concerns aside,

get started,” I say, scanning the room.

meeting progresses smoothly enough. Various

opportunities, community initiatives. But it’s the last item on the agenda that makes

stomach tighten.

My brother’s condition.

you all may know,” the local renowned physician and member

brother may be waking up from his coma soon. How does

Alpha?”

probing, scrutinizing. I maintain my composure. “I

friendly competition for the role of Alpha wouldn’t be a bad

humor. But at the same time, I

truth behind my words.

much I love my

besides, who’s to say that he’ll even be physically able to

low murmur courses through the room at my words. Then Mark,

his opinions, speaks

working at a restaurant in the

“That is correct,” I say. “And what

look. “Perhaps being Alpha

feel the atmosphere shift, the tension climbing up a notch.

him straight in

discussion,” I say, letting my

knife. “Meeting

the council members gather their

handshakes as they leave the room. I stay seated for a moment longer, letting

meeting

gone, snapping me out of

We need to discuss a few more

something off about her tone, something I can’t quite

a snap decision. “You know what?”

a dinner at

face. It’s fleeting, but it’s there—a mix

I can’t identify. She quickly masks it with

I’ll see you

…

I settle into the leather seat of my car, the engine purrs to life, but I don’t

drum on the steering wheel, my

weekend, the council’s thinly veiled criticism,

but it’s Abby who ultimately wins

silence. “You

A date with Abby, gaining her

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

a new dress before dinner. Let her choose whatever she wants, no price tag too

Abby the latest designer handbags,