Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 232

Abby

I sink into the warm, fragrant bath, the spa items Karl left for me creating a soothing oasis in the spacious bathroom.

As I relax into the water, I let out a contented sigh. It’s been a while since I’ve had a moment like this, away from the constant buzz of the city. Already, my body feels more at ease. All I can hear through the open window are the sounds of the countryside; no sirens, no people, nothing. Just birds and the breeze.

For a moment, it feels just like it did all those years ago. I used to spend hours in this bathroom, soaking in the claw foot tub, reading and doing skincare. It was how I coped with my stress, most of which came from our marriage.

But I won’t think about that right now.

With the murder mystery book propped up on a small stand nearby, I lose myself in its pages, the tension of the storyline pulling me in. It’s a welcome escape from the chaos of the past week, and before I know it I’m not thinking about anything else at all.

Time seems to slip away as I read, the warm water and calming scents of the lavender and lilac bath salts lulling me into a state of tranquility. Eventually, I emerge from the bath, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

I wrap myself in a plush robe and make my way back to the bedroom. I dig through my bag in search of an outfit, but quickly realize that everything I’ve packed is loungewear. I guess, in my frenzied state this morning, I wasn’t thinking clearly.

With a sigh, I head over to the closet where some of my old clothes still reside. I find a zippered case on the floor with some old clothes and grab a comfortable dress and a sweater since it’s chilly out. It still suits me, but not as much as it used to.

“Maybe I’ll do some shopping,” I mutter to myself as I turn back and forth in the mirror, looking at how the modest dress falls on my frame.

Deciding to venture outside for a change of scenery, I make my way downstairs and through the grand foyer. The mansion is vast, and it takes me a moment to remember my way around. It’s quiet, and I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia as I explore the familiar hallways.

As I reach the front door, I pause to check my reflection in a nearby mirror, adjusting my blue surgical mask to make sure that it’s securely in place.

It’s uncomfortable, but necessary in the city right now. For a moment, I almost consider not wearing it; I don’t want to be too confident that I’m safe here, though, so I decide to keep it on just in case.

With a sense of determination, I open the door and step outside. The scent of pine trees and earth fills my nostrils, and with a deep breath, I adjust my purse on my shoulder and begin my walk to town.

…

As I walk into town, I’m met with the quaint storefronts and vibrant scenery that I almost forgot about. Nothing has changed, really. The main market street is lined with cute shops, restaurants, and cafes.

There are some new shops that I don’t recognize, and there are more people now than there used to be, but I like it. Bringing more tourism and residents to the pack was always one of Karl’s priorities, and after all these years, it finally seems to be paying off.

My first stop is a local coffee shop, where the scent of freshly brewed coffee draws me in. I step inside and place my order, and the barista doesn’t bat an eye at my presence. The mask must be working, even in this small down.

With my coffee in hand, I decide to do a bit of shopping. I step into a nearby clothing boutique that I haven’t seen before and begin flipping through the racks, pulling out various items and holding them up to myself in the mirror.

“That’s a nice color,” a familiar voice says as I’m holding up an emerald green sweater in the mirror..

I turn around, surprised to see Elsie, the maid who used to be my friend, standing there. She doesn’t seem to recognize me through the mask. I tug it down just enough so she can see me, and her eyes widen.

“Ab—”

“Shh,” I hiss, drawing closer. “I’m laying low.”

Elsie nods slowly, then grins. “I didn’t know you were going to be in town today,” she says. “How are you doing? I heard about…” Her voice trails off, but we both know what she’s thinking: the disaster of an Alpha party.

“It’s a long story,” I explain quietly. “But it’s under control. I needed to get out of the city, though.”

Elsie shoots me a knowing look, then loops her arm around my shoulder. She’s in her plain clothes; it must be her day off, hence the reason why she didn’t know I was going to be here. It was all so last minute, after all.

After a moment, Elsie glances at the items I’ve got in my hand: a mini dress, a sweater, and a scarf.

“Are you shopping for something special?” she asks.

I hesitate for a moment, then decide to extend an invitation on a whim. “Actually, Elsie, I was wondering if you’d like to join me for coffee and shopping,” I say. “It’s been so long since we hung out like we used to.”

Elsie’s eyes brighten with excitement. “That sounds perfect. There’s a new shop down the street that I’ve been dying to check out…”

We continue our shopping adventure together, just like old times. It feels as though we just picked up where we left off, and the familiarity of our friendship makes me feel more at home here.

After I pay for my things, we head to the new shop down the street, a boutique with all kinds of candles and lotions. I decide to pick up some face lotion and a new scented candle, and a pair of earrings on a whim.

As we walk down the street, bags in hand, Elsie suddenly looks at me with a curious expression on her face. “So… does all of this mean that you and Karl are back together?”

I freeze for a moment, my smile faltering. “It’s complicated, Elsie,” I reply. “We’re keeping things casual.”

Elsie’s brow furrows, and she studies me intently. “Well, it certainly doesn’t seem casual,” she says softly. “Everyone has been talking since the Alpha party. We all thought you were getting back together.”

I’m taken aback by her observation, and I can’t deny that there is a hint of truth in her words. The past week has been filled with moments that felt far from casual, and I can’t help but wonder if I’ve inadvertently fallen back into old habits.

As we continue our walk, a sense of unease settles within me. Maybe Elsie is right. Maybe all of this is too much, and I’m here for the wrong reasons. I should be using this time to escape the chaos of the city, not playing house with my ex-husband.

The weight of Elsie’s words lingers in my mind, and it makes me question my own motives for being here. Am I really only here to escape the city?

Or am I here because there’s something else drawing me back to the place I used to call home?