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 commencement. Gianna

aside, focusing on the task at

say, scanning the room. “First

enough. Various issues are discussed:

initiatives. But it’s the last item on the agenda that

stomach tighten.

My brother’s condition.

know,” the local renowned physician and member of the council, Dr.

may be waking up from his coma soon.

Alpha?”

scrutinizing. I maintain my composure. “I

competition for the role of Alpha wouldn’t be a bad thing.”

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

truth behind my words.

Alpha here for years. No matter how much I love my brother,

who’s to say that he’ll

at my words. Then Mark, a council member

about his opinions,

a restaurant in the city, haven’t you, Karl?” he

correct,” I say. “And what

look.

feel the atmosphere

straight

there are not up for discussion,” I say, letting my words

a knife. “Meeting

the council members gather their papers and stand, exchanging

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

the meeting

once they’re gone, snapping me out of

to discuss

something off about her tone, something

I wind up making a snap decision. “You know what?” I say, standing. “That’s

a dinner at

moment, a peculiar expression crosses her face. It’s fleeting, but it’s

I can’t identify. She quickly

sir. I’ll see

…

leather seat of my car, the engine purrs to

the steering wheel, my mind

the weekend, the council’s thinly veiled criticism,

competes for attention, but it’s Abby who

“You know, this dinner

Abby, gaining her approval

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

new dress before dinner. Let her choose whatever she

latest designer