Chasing His Kickass Luna Back

Karl laughs, his arms wrapping around me. “You had better be right, Abby,” he murmurs into my hair. “Otherwise you'll be in for trouble afterwards.”

His words make my heart skip a beat. I pull away ever so slightly, our lips almost touching as we look at each other. For a moment, it's like we're married again; and I'm reminded of our arrangement, the arrangement which neither of us has acted upon since I've been here.

And, for just a moment, I consider what the night of the party will be like: before, during, and... after. Blushing a deep shade of crimson, I pull away and attempt to dispel the inappropriate thoughts from my mind. “I guess I'll need a dress and a mask then,” I guess.

He looks at me with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Do you have something in mind? Need me to take you shopping?”

I feel a bit uncertain, as the reality sinks in that he's already done so much. I'm reminded of the box of gifts that was waiting on my bed when I arrived. It feels like he's spoiling me, and despite our arrangement, we're still not technically together in that sense

“I'll go shopping on my own,” I blurt out. “I'd like to use my own money, and it seems like you're busy here. I don't want to be a burden.”

Karl raises an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Abby,” he says gently as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, “you're never a burden. Besides, it's my pleasure to do this for you. Consider it my way of making up for lost time.”

I sigh, shaking my head. “Karl, really. I'd like to buy it myself.”

He nods, and although I can see a slight flicker of disappointment flash through his eyes, I know that he’s not going to argue. “Alright,” he says. “Whatever makes you happy, Abby.”

"Hey, is that shopping center in the town over still open?” I ask, taking another step back. “Maybe I'l head there now to look for something. I don't have anything else going on.”

"Yeah, it is.” Karl reaches into his pocket and pulls out his car keys, holding them out to me. “Here, take my car. The roads might get snowy later, so be careful, okay?"

I take the keys from him, but roll my eyes teasingly. “Alright, alright,” I say with a laugh. “I'll be careful.”

With a final smile, I turn and grab my jacket and surgical mask off of the hook by the door, then head out to the car. The leather is cool and familiar as I slide into the driver's seat, and for a moment, it feels as though nothing has changed.

But as I drive away from the house, I can't help but feel a mix of emotions. Maybe I shouldn't be feeling like nothing has changed.

Maybe I shouldn't be slipping back into the old routines so easily; just because I'm back in our old home for a little while doesn’t mean that I should just re-assume the role of Karl's wife and the pack’s Luna, spending my days shopping and volunteering.

And yet, at the same time, I can’t deny the smile that works its way across my face as I drive.

The idea of a masquerade fills me with excitement, and although I hate to admit it, the thought of dancing with Karl, our eyes locked behind our intricate masks, makes my heart throb in my chest.