Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 265

Abby

“Hey. Looking for a sous chef tonight?”

Karl’s unexpected presence in the kitchen startles me, and my heart skips a beat as I turn to face him.

For a moment, we just look at each other. His easy smile and the mischievous glint in his eyes make my cheeks flush with warmth. The proximity between us feels electric, and I can’t help but wonder if he can sense the rapid beating of my heart.

I glance at the bustling kitchen and then back at Karl. “Are you sure?” I ask, a hint of surprise in my voice. “I mean, you don’t have to. I’m sure you have other things to be doing right now.”

He chuckles, that deep, warm sound that never fails to make my heart race. “I’m sure,” he replies, taking a step closer. “I want to help. Plus, cooking together sounds like fun, don’t you think?”

I nod, unable to hide the smile that tugs at my lips. “Alright then, welcome to the team.” I gesture to the ingredients laid out on the counter. “Let’s get started.”

We fall into a rhythm, working side by side, our elbows occasionally bumping as we move around the kitchen. There’s a sense of camaraderie between us as we work, and I can’t deny the thrill of having Karl so close. The tantalizing scent of the food fills the air, but it’s Karl’s presence that really fills my senses.

At one point, we both reach for a pot at the same time, and our bodies collide. My heart pounds in my chest as our faces are suddenly inches apart.

“Woah there,” Karl coos, his brown eyes meeting mine.

“Sorry,” I murmur. But before I can step away, Karl’s arm is sliding around my waist, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me.

I can’t stop him; he’s picking me up gently off of the floor and moving me to the side, placing me back down behind him. The motion seems so fluid, so natural for him, and I’m left feeling weak in the knees.

With a sly smirk, he whispers, “You might want to stay out of my way, Abby. This is a kitchen, not a nightclub.”

His words leave me breathless, and I can feel my wolf’s yearning inside of me perfectly echoing my own desires. I manage to stammer out a response, “I’ll try my best; so long as you stay out of my way, too.”

Karl’s smirk widens, and he releases his grip around my waist.

“No promises,” he says, his voice low and husky.

I swallow, stepping away and averting my gaze before he can see the blush in my cheeks.

“He wants you,” my wolf purrs, aroused by Karl’s closeness just now. “You two should—”

“I need to focus,” I answer as I return to my work. “No time for… that.”

As we continue to cook, our closeness lingers, the tension between us simmering beneath the surface. The dishes start to take shape, and the anticipation builds. Finally, after what feels like both an eternity and a fleeting moment, we take a step back to admire our creations.

The sight of the beautifully prepared dishes fills me with a sense of accomplishment, and I can’t help but smile. There’s enough time on the clock for us to get ready, and everything looks perfect. I turn to Karl, our eyes locking for a moment, and we share a triumphant high-five.

“Great job,” he says, his voice soft and sincere, although there’s still a hint of that earlier mischief there.

“You too,” I reply, my heart feeling lighter than it has in a long time.

...

With the cooking completed, I rush upstairs to get dressed for the masquerade. The clock is ticking, and I need to get ready quickly. I glance at myself in the mirror, a gasp escaping my lips at the sight.

“God, I look like a mess,” I murmur, quickly untangling my hair from its ponytail and slipping out of my dirty kitchen attire.

“A hot mess,” my wolf chimes in. “But Karl still wanted you, so what does that say?”

“Oh, hush,” I reply, my face turning a shade of red as I turn on the shower. It’s been so long since my wolf was regularly active that it feels strange for her to be speaking to me so much, but it’s not unwelcome.

Over the next hour, I get to work scrubbing, shaving, plucking, and rinsing, followed by styling my hair and putting on my makeup. I opt for an understated shimmery eyeshadow since I’ll be wearing a mask, and a plum red lip—a color which, thanks to Elsie, is now my favorite on myself.

Then, I carefully slip into the stunning midnight blue dress. It fits perfectly, just as I remembered. Now, all I need is the mask.

Standing in front of the mirror, I carefully slip the Venetian mask on and fasten the ribbons. My eyes widen as I finally see the finished product. It’s…

“Beautiful,” my wolf says, just as amazed as I am. “Abby, he’s going to love it.”

It’s true; the hair and makeup I’ve done have transformed me into someone I hardly recognize. The masquerade gown fits perfectly, and the mask adds an air of mystery to my appearance.

“He won’t be able to take his eyes off of you,” my wolf continues. “That’s for sure.”

Blushing at her thoughts, I take a deep breath and smile slightly. “Remember, this isn’t only for Karl,” I find myself saying mentally, more to myself than to her.

And yet, no matter how much I try to hide it, I can’t help but imagine what Karl’s reaction will be.

Finally, with a deep breath, I decide that I’m ready for the party. I head out of the room, making my way down the grand staircase. But as I reach the top of the stairs, I pause, gazing at my reflection one more time in a nearby mirror.

Am I really ready for this?

What will people think? Will they recognize me? What will this mean for my relationship with Karl? What will it mean for me, for Abby, for the life I’ve created without… him?

But as I stand there, looking at myself in the mirror and the dim light of the hallway, the sounds of the party already in full swing float through the air, beckoning for me. Maybe for tonight, just tonight, it’s okay to give in to the fantasy a little bit.

And maybe, just maybe, I can just enjoy the party, enjoy Karl’s eye’s on me… Enjoy his arm around my waist, just like when we were married.

The lingering doubts are dispelled by a surge of determination. With renewed confidence, I take another deep breath and make my way downstairs to join the masquerade.

The scene that greets me is a dazzling spectacle. Guests dressed in elegant masks and gowns mill about, laughter and chatter filling the air. It’s so much more than I expected, but it’s so wonderful. It seems as though the idea of a masquerade was taken well, and I can see the excited guests touching their masks, playing along with the idea of mystery and intrigue.

And I blend in perfectly; no one bats an eye, and no one recognizes me. Here, I’m not Abby the failure, Abby the fraud, Abby the chef who ruined the Alpha gathering, Abby the ex-Luna.

Here, I’m just a girl in a Venetian mask and a midnight blue dress.

But as I scan the crowd, I can’t seem to find Karl anywhere. My heart sinks for a moment, and I start to feel a little naked as I stand here. The sea of masks makes it difficult to recognize anyone, and for a moment, I almost consider slipping away.

Just as I’m about to turn away, the crowd on the dance floor begins to part, and my eyes widen as I see him. There he stands, in his mask, looking every bit as handsome and enigmatic as I imagined. Our gazes lock, and for a moment, it’s as if the world fades away.

Karl extends his hand, and I place mine in his, our fingers entwining. He leans closer, his mask brushing against the skin of my neck as he whispers to me.

“May I have this dance?”