Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 284

Abby

The training session with Karl leaves me feeling both exhilarated and exhausted. We’ve both worked up a good sweat by the time we’re finished, and as we stand there wiping our foreheads with our towels, I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment.

It’s been a long time since I’ve pushed myself to train like this, and I’m determined to get better. And hell, maybe I’m not quite as weak as I thought I was.

“Thanks for this, Karl,” I say, my voice a little breathless. “I really appreciate your help.”

Karl smirks, his chest rising and falling with his own exertion. “You’ve still got a long way to go, Abby,” he replies. “But you’re making progress.”

I nod, taking a deep breath. “Yeah, well, I might be here for a while anyway, as long as this restaurant case is still open. Officer Martinez told me it’s probably best if I stay out of the city for the time being.”

Karl’s expression changes, and for a moment, I can’t quite read it. But then he seems almost… pleased, his eyes softening. “Well, you know you’re always welcome here,” he says. “And besides… I like having you around. But I guess you already knew that.”

I blush at his words and quickly look away. “I don’t mind staying here either,” I admit. “But it’s just not fair that my poor restaurant staff is suffering because of this whole thing. I wish there was something I could do to make it up to them, you know?”

Karl furrows his brow, deep in thought. He seems to be mulling something over, and I can’t help but wonder what exactly is going on inside his head. After a moment, though, he finally speaks.

“You know, Abby,” he says slowly, “there might be something you can do to help your staff.”

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. “What do you mean?”

Karl sighs, grabbing his bag off of the floor. “I have a meeting to attend right now,” he says. “But when I get back, I might have a proposal for you. Something that might just solve your problem.”

I’m taken aback by his cryptic response. “A proposal? What kind of proposal?”

Karl smirks, his lips curving into a mischievous smile. “Not sure yet,” he says, already walking backwards toward the door as he taps the side of his head. “I can feel it cooking, though.”

With that, he turns and walks away, leaving me standing there feeling both curious and a little confused. I watch him go, wondering what he has in mind and how it might help my restaurant staff.

…

I sigh as I make my way back to my room. The training session with Karl has left me feeling a mixture of confusing emotions, and I keep replaying the events in my head. The way our bodies brushed against each other, the intensity of our close proximity, and the undeniable attraction between us—all of it is impossible to ignore.

My wolf prods at me, as if taunting me with unspoken thoughts. I know what she’s thinking: that I wanted Karl earlier. I shake my head, trying to push those thoughts away for the time being. “It’s not… like that,” I mutter to myself. “Of course I know he’s attractive and I want him, but it’s more complicated than that.”

But my wolf doesn't seem satisfied with my response. “But you two made the decision to keep hooking up,” she says. “That has to mean something.”

I can feel my cheeks heating up at the mention of our little arrangement, and I glance around my room as if checking for eavesdroppers. “Well,” I admit aloud, my voice barely above a whisper, “I know he’s hot. Of course I know that. Why else would I be hooking up with him despite everything?”

My wolf responds with a knowing chuckle. “Is that all it is, Abby?” she asks. “Just physical attraction? Nothing else?”

I hesitate, unable to come up with an immediate response. The truth is, there’s more to it than just physical attraction. Of course there’s a connection between Karl and me; we were once married, after all.

But admitting it, even to myself, feels like a betrayal of all the anger and resentment I’ve held onto over the years.

“I know there’s a connection,” I finally say, my voice resigned. “There’s no denying that. Sometimes, I even miss the way things used to be when we were married. But he hurt me, and I’m still pissed about it. About everything. And I’m not sure how easily I’ll be able to look past all of that.”

My wolf seems to understand, and she falls silent. I take a deep breath and shake my head, as if trying to dispel the thoughts of Karl’s hot body. God, I feel like I’m in heat. I can’t let myself get distracted by thoughts of Karl right now. I have a lot on my plate, and I need to focus on the restaurant case and my staff.

With that in mind, I head to the shower, hoping that the hot water will help wash away the lingering tension from the training session. As the water cascades over me, I try to clear my mind and prepare for the day ahead.

After my shower, I quickly get dressed and head down to the kitchen to make breakfast. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon greets me, and I can’t help but feel a sense of comfort as I start to cook my meal.

But as I’m flipping pancakes in the skillet, I hear footsteps behind me. I almost expect it to see Karl, but instead I turn to see Elsie standing there, a mischievous glint in her eye. I groan inwardly, knowing that she’s about to bring up the party from the other night.

“Morning, sunshine,” she says, her voice filled with a mischief that can’t be ignored. “So is it true, then?”

“Is what true?” I ask nonchalantly, even though I know exactly what she’s referring to.

“The announcement,” she says. “Are you and Karl actually back together? And trying for a baby, no less?”

My face flushes with embarrassment, and I can feel my heart rate spike. I put on a forced smile and reply, “It’s all a little complicated right now, Elsie. I hope you don’t mind if I don’t talk about that right now.”

Elsie just gives me a knowing look, her eyebrows raised in amusement. She doesn’t say anything else, but the smirk on her face says it all. She knows there’s more to the story, and she’s not going to let me off the hook that easily.

I sigh and turn my attention back to the pancakes, hoping that Elsie will drop the subject. She’s a dear friend, but I just don’t know if I want to talk about it right now. It’s been on my mind 24/7 since it happened, and I need a reprieve.

No, I need a distraction.

“Hey,” I say, tossing my pancake onto a plate and turning to face Elsie. “What are you up to today?”

She shrugs. “I’m off at noon,” she says. “Why?”

I can’t help but smile. “Let’s go do something, just you and me. No men, and no talk of men. Sound good?”

As Elsie takes in my proposal, her smile begins to grow. She nods vigorously, clearly excited. “That sounds perfect, Abby,” she says.

“Good.” I shove a forkful of pancake into my mouth, already looking forward to the welcome distraction from the utter chaos that has become my life. “See you at noon, then.”