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

my concerns aside, focusing

started,” I say, scanning

meeting progresses smoothly enough. Various issues are discussed: business

last

stomach tighten.

My brother’s condition.

may know,” the local renowned physician and member of

“your brother may be waking up from his coma soon. How does that affect

Alpha?”

probing, scrutinizing. I maintain my

competition for the role of Alpha wouldn’t be

humor. But at the same time, I can’t

truth behind my words.

No matter how much I

that he’ll even be physically able to lead

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

his opinions,

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

I say. “And

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

and I can feel the atmosphere shift, the tension climbing

him straight

there are not up for discussion,” I

a knife.

rustling as the council members gather their papers and

I stay

meeting

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

We need to discuss

off about her tone, something

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

dinner at my

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

identify. She quickly masks it

sir. I’ll see

…

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

lot. My fingers drum on the steering wheel, my mind racing through the events of the

for the weekend, the council’s thinly

attention, but

breaking his prolonged silence. “You know, this dinner tonight

with Abby, gaining her

of him. “That was the goal, my friend.

new dress before dinner. Let her choose whatever she wants, no

back: me buying Abby the latest