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,

settles into a hushed silence, signaling the

my concerns aside, focusing on the

scanning the room. “First on

Various issues are

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

stomach tighten.

My brother’s condition.

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

from his coma soon. How does that affect

Alpha?”

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

a little friendly competition for the role of Alpha wouldn’t

at the same time, I can’t entirely

truth behind my words.

here for years. No matter how much I love

that he’ll even be physically able

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

vocal about his

restaurant in the city, haven’t

I say.

an apprehensive look. “Perhaps

in the air, and I can feel the atmosphere

straight in the

for working there are not up for discussion,” I say, letting

a knife. “Meeting

the council members gather their

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

the meeting sink

says once they’re gone, snapping me out of

need to discuss a few

at her. There’s something off about her tone,

“You know what?”

dinner at my house

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

else I can’t identify. She quickly masks it

well, sir. I’ll see

…

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

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

for the weekend, the council’s thinly veiled criticism, Gianna’s

thought competes for attention, but it’s Abby who ultimately wins

silence. “You

Abby, gaining

chuckle softly, already ahead of him. “That was the goal,

before dinner. Let her choose whatever she

the latest designer handbags,