Chasing His Kickass Luna Back

Abby

As we burst out of the restaurant, I feel the chilly night air hit my face, a stark contrast to the heated atmosphere we just left behind.

“I can't believe it,” Karl hisses under his breath as he pulls me further and further away from the restaurant. “That lying little...”

Karl's grip on my hand is like iron. I can tell he's furious, and for good reason; but I can also tell that he’s not necessarily in the right headspace right now. I stop suddenly in the middle of the sidewalk, tugging my hand free from his grip.

“Karl,” I say, my voice trembling with a mix of emotions that I can't even begin to describe, “what are you going to do about all of this?”

Karl stops as well, his shoulders slumping, and he lets out a deep sigh. He's silent for a long time, his body shaking with anger, before he finally runs a hand through his hair in frustration. “Honestly, Abby,” he begins, “I wanted this election against my brother to be amicable, you know? But it just doesn't seem like it's going to be possible at this point. Not after... whatever that was.”

My heart aches for him, and I reach out to touch his arm gently. “Do you think you'll have time to rectify things before the election is announced?” I ask. “I'd hate to see you and Ethan be at such odds throughout the entire election.”

Karl's gaze is distant, and he throws his hands up in exasperation.

“I'm not sure, Abby,” he says, his eyes finally meeting mine. They're full of pain and anger.

“There has to be something you can do,” I insist. “He's your brother, Karl. All those years ago, when his family took you in...”

My voice trails off before I can finish my thought. We both know what I'm referring to.

Years ago, when Karl was just a child, Ethan's family took him in. Karl was an orphan with no memory of his real family, but it didn't matter. From that day forward, Ethan's family was Karl's family. There were three brothers including Karl and Ethan, and it was a happy family.

Until, that is, a strange illness wiped all of them out. The doctors say it was genetic, which was why Karl was spared. Ethan barely made it out alive; if it weren't for his wolf putting him into a coma at the last moment, he wouldn't have survived.

“I doubt it,” Karl says, breaking my train of thought. “Gianna has been sowing the seeds of manipulation while Ethan was in his coma for years now. She knew exactly what she was doing. And now that she’s also Ethan's campaign manager, she’s got him wrapped around her little finger.” "Surely we can help him see the truth,” I say. “If we show him the emails, the proof—"

But Karl shakes his head. “Abby, I've tried,” he says. “Trust me, I've tried. He just won't see logic here. He's lovestruck and manipulated. I don't think he’s going to see the light anytime soon—or maybe even ever.”

Looking at Karl, seeing him like this, makes my heart break. I feel a pang of guilt, knowing that my presence at the dinner may have only added fuel to the fire. “Karl, I'm so sorry,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the sounds of the cars on the street.

Karl's eyes widen in surprise. Without a word, he steps closer, holding me gently by both shoulders. He places his hand under my chin and tilts my face up, making me look at him. “Abby, how is this your fault?” he murmurs, his eyes searching my face.

I shake my head, unable to meet his gaze for more than a brief moment. “I knew I shouldn't have come out for dinner tonight,” I explain. “My presence ruined everything. Maybe none of this would have happened if I had refused to come. Hell, maybe I should have just stayed in the city.”

Karl rushes to reassure me, his grip on my shoulders firm but gentle. “None of this is your fault, Abby,” he says firmly. “This was bound to happen sooner or later. I've been trying my best to give my brother the benefit of the doubt, but clearly, there's just no point. It's a losing battle.”

I continue to look down at the ground, guilt still gnawing at me. “But Ethan does deserve the benefit of the doubt,” I insist. “Karl, he was in a coma for years, lost his entire family except for you, and meanwhile Gianna had all that time to sink her claws in."

Karl considers my words for a moment, his gaze unwavering. Then, he sighs and pulls me into a warm hug. His chin rests on the top of my head, and I lean closer, inhaling his sweet scent. My wolf stirs ever so slightly, comforted by his presence.

“You're far too sweet for your own good, Abby,” he murmurs.

We stand there on the street, wrapped in each other's arms, finding solace in the midst of chaos. Eventually, Karl breaks the embrace but keeps a firm hold on my hand.

"Come on,” he says, nodding his head toward the car. “Let's go.”

I nod, grateful for his presence, and we make our way to the car in silence. Karl opens the door for me and gestures for me to get in.

“Thanks,” I murmur as I slide into my seat. Karl merely nods, carefully closing the door behind me before he circles around to the driver's side. I allow myself to look at him, really look at him, during that brief moment.

He looks so handsome, every bit the Alpha he deserves to be. And for a moment, I allow myself to picture us together, an unshakable team that can overcome any challenge.

But we're not. We never were, not really. When we were married, we had too many differences in opinion, too much holding us apart.

My mind drifts back to what Karl had said to Gianna about a “perfectly good marriage’. Was it, though? Was it perfectly good, or was it filled with flaws and arguments and passionate sex that was treated like a band-aid for all of our problems?

And if we did get back together... would it wind up like that again?

Suddenly, Karl opens the driver's side door, bringing me back to the present. He slides into his seat and turns the key in the ignition before putting the car in drive, and pulls out of the parking spot. There's a brief silence as he navigates the car down the street, and I take another moment to look at him.

His jaw is set hard, his eyes determined. I can't help myself. I swallow, reaching out to run my hand down the back of his neck; it was a gesture that he always liked when he was driving, back when we were together. He shivers slightly at my touch, and I can see the stiffness in his jaw relax just a little bit.

“Where are we headed?” I ask, assuming we'll be going back to the mansion.

But Karl just shakes his head, shooting me a brief glance.

“You'll see.”