Romance
Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 194
Karl
The Alpha party is in full swing, and I’ve got Shana on my arm, introduced as my date for the evening. We make our entrance onto the dancefloor, and immediately, I sense the eyes of the other Lunas—the ones who used to be Abby’s ‘friends’, and also who I just so happened to kick out of Abby’s restaurant for being rude.
There’s a distinct smirk on their faces as they glance our way.
I try to ignore their glances and maintain a smile, acting as if I’m unfazed by their scrutiny. Shana looks stunning in her elegant dress, and for a moment, I’m genuinely grateful to have her by my side.
As we navigate through the crowd, people start to approach us, making small talk and dropping not-so-subtle hints about my past with Abby.
“Karl, I heard you’ve moved on from Abby,” one Luna says with a sly grin. “It took you long enough.”
I nod politely. “Yes, Shana and I are together now. Abby and I are still friends, though. I’m proud of her and her career taking off.”
Another Luna chimes in, “I heard Abby might attend the party for a while. After her TV appearances, perhaps she’s got some… ‘fans’ here who might want to see her.”
I offer a nonchalant smile. “Well, if she does drop by later, she deserves it. She’s put in a lot of hard work.”
The conversations continue in a similar vein, and I can’t help but feel like I’m constantly defending my choices. Shana, on the other hand, seems uninterested in engaging with the other guests.
It’s clear she’s not particularly interested in socializing, and our interactions are limited to the occasional dance or a brief exchange of words.
We take to the dance floor, and as we move to the music, I find myself lost in thought. Shana’s a nice enough girl, but there’s an undeniable lack of chemistry between us.
Even dancing with her feels stiff and choreographed. It feels more like a formality than a genuine connection. Is this what my life would be like if she became the future Luna—bland and uneventful?
I lead Shana through a graceful waltz, our movements perfectly timed but lacking the passion and intensity I’ve felt on the dance floor with Abby in the past. She follows my lead dutifully, her gaze occasionally drifting to something or someone else in the room.
The music changes to a livelier tune, and I make an attempt at conversation. “Having a good time?:
Shana offers a small smile. “Yes, it’s a lovely party.”
I nod in agreement, but there’s an awkward silence that follows. It’s becoming increasingly clear that Shana isn’t interested in engaging in a meaningful conversation.
I decide to press on. “Do you like parties like this?” I ask.
She hesitates for a moment, as if searching for an answer. “I don’t mind them.”
It’s a vague response, one that lacks any real substance. I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. It seems like Shana is simply going through the motions, playing the part of the dutiful Luna-to-be.
As the night continues, I can’t shake the feeling of boredom that's settled over me. The party is extravagant, the food is exquisite, and the music is lively, but there’s something missing. It’s not the same as the parties I used to attend with Abby, where every moment was filled with laughter, genuine conversation, and shared passions.
I take a moment to scan the room, looking for familiar faces. I notice that my brother hasn’t arrived yet. I’m sure he’ll arrive soon, though. Surely it’s taking him longer to get ready, seeing as how weak he’s gotten.
But I’m dying to see who this ‘mystery lady’ is. I hope she’s good for him and makes him happy, but it’s also a way for me to gauge my future success as Alpha of our pack.
Amidst the sea of faces, though, another familiar figure approaches us. It’s Daniel, an Alpha who used to be close to both Abby and me when we were married years ago. His warm smile is genuine as he greets me.
“Karl, my old friend!” Daniel exclaims, extending a hand toward me. “It’s been far too long. Who’s this lovely lady you have with you tonight?”
I can’t help but offer a polite smile as I introduce Shana. “Daniel, this is Shana. Shana, meet Daniel.”
Daniel takes Shana’s hand and gives it a kiss. “A pleasure to meet you, Shana. You look stunning.”
Shana remains silent aside from a thank-you, her polite smile never wavering. It’s becoming increasingly clear that she’s not the most conversational of companions. I didn’t see it as much when it was just the two of us on dates, but I really see it now that we’re around other people.
Daniel’s friendly demeanor takes a curious turn as he leans in a little closer, lowering his voice. “So, are you two officially dating now?”
I pause for a moment, feeling the weight of the question. Shana says nothing, and I can sense her discomfort. I decide to answer honestly. “We’ve just started seeing each other, but we haven’t discussed any official plans yet.”
Daniel gives me a sideways look, his expression thoughtful. He then gestures for me to step aside with him, away from Shana’s earshot. His tone becomes hushed as he pulls me aside.
“Karl, I’ve known you for a long time,” he says. “And I have to be honest with you. It’s not a good look for an Alpha to be ‘unofficial’ with a woman. You need to establish a firm connection, especially if she’s a potential Luna.”
I’m a bit taken aback by his words. “Daniel, I appreciate your concern, but—”
He cuts me off with a knowing look. “Can I be honest with you, Karl? Man to man?”
His words give me pause, but I nod anyway. “Hit me.”
He sighs. “Karl, I can tell. The spark isn’t there like it was with Abby. You can’t fool us Alphas. If you want to be taken seriously as a leader, you need to make a decision.”
I’m left momentarily speechless, grappling with his words. Daniel has always been straightforward and observant, and his assessment hits me harder than I’d like to admit.
“I understand what you’re saying, Daniel,” I finally reply, choosing my words carefully. “But Shana and I are taking our time to get to know each other. Rushing into things won’t benefit either of us.”
Daniel claps me on the shoulder with a friendly but firm grip. “I get it, Karl. Just remember, not everything is about duty. You deserve to have a spark, too. Someone who you would proudly announce as your future Luna in a heartbeat.”
With that, he leaves me standing there, pondering his advice. I can’t deny that there’s a tiny bit of truth in his words. As an Alpha, I’m expected to lead by example, to make decisions and stick by them. But at the same time, I don’t want to rush into something just for the sake of appearances—especially not something that lacks any real substance.
I return to Shana’s side, finding her still on the dance floor. Her expression hasn’t changed, but I can’t help but feel a sense of unease. Daniel’s words linger in my mind, and I wonder if he’s right—that the spark I had with Abby is something I may never find again.
I glance around the room, my eyes searching for familiar faces. My brother still hasn’t arrived, which worries me.
And then, that’s when I see it, and time stops. A pearlescent white gown, a cascade of blonde hair, and…
The face that I’ve really been hoping to see all night.