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,

into a hushed silence, signaling the meeting’s commencement. Gianna takes her

my concerns aside, focusing on

get started,” I say, scanning the room.

meeting progresses smoothly enough. Various issues are discussed:

last item on the agenda that makes

stomach tighten.

My brother’s condition.

all may know,” the local renowned

his coma soon. How does that

Alpha?”

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

of Alpha wouldn’t be a bad thing.” Of

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

truth behind my words.

No matter how much I love my brother, I won’t give up

he’ll

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

his

been working at a restaurant in the city,

“That is correct,” I say. “And what of

apprehensive look. “Perhaps being Alpha isn’t your top

the air, and I can feel the atmosphere

straight in the

discussion,” I say, letting

knife.

council members gather their

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

meeting

they’re gone, snapping me out of

tonight. We need to discuss a few more

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

“You know

a dinner at

expression crosses her face. It’s fleeting, but it’s there—a

She quickly masks it

well, sir. I’ll

…

the engine purrs to life, but I don’t immediately pull out

fingers drum on the steering wheel, my mind racing through the events

the council’s thinly veiled criticism, Gianna’s

thought competes for attention, but

“You know, this dinner tonight could

A date with Abby, gaining her

already ahead of him. “That was the

before dinner. Let her choose whatever she wants,

back: me buying Abby the latest