Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 293

Abby

The morning sun filters through the large windows of the mansion’s kitchen, casting a warm, golden glow over the array of ingredients that’s waiting for us.

I’m standing at the counter island, a chopping board and a pile of fresh vegetables in front of me. The familiar scents of garlic and herbs fill the air, mingling with the sound of sizzling pans and the occasional burst of laughter from my team.

“Merde, John,” Anton exclaims, throwing his hands up in the air. “Two weeks, and you have forgotten how to make a roux!”

John chuckles, a deep and gravelly sound. “Oh, hush, Anton,” he teases. “You know I make the best macaroni and cheese you’ve ever tasted. You’ve said so yourself.”

Anton grimaces. “No, no,” he says, “I said that your macaroni and cheese is the best I have tasted, but that is only because it’s the only macaroni and cheese I have ever tasted. I would never willingly sully my palate with something so… fatty and unrefined.”

Anton’s words lead to a chorus of laughter from myself and the rest of the team. It’s a comforting cacophony, a reminder of why I love cooking—it’s not just about the food, but the people and the moments we share.

And god, how much I missed cooking with my team.

As I keep chopping the vegetables, I glance around at the well-oiled machine that is my staff.

John and Anton, as always, are manning the stoves with practiced ease. They move almost in a mirror image of each other; it’s funny to see how close they’ve become, like brothers as they work. They banter relentlessly, but their dishes always turn out perfectly, with just the right blend of seasoning and the perfect texture.

Meanwhile, Ethan, Daisy, Leah, and Chloe are spread out across the kitchen, each absorbed in their own tasks. Ethan is meticulously chopping onions, Daisy is stirring a pot of what will soon become a rich and hearty stew, Leah is whisking a dressing for the salad, and Chloe, ever the perfectionist, is arranging the freshly baked bread on various platters.

She doesn’t see me looking, and I don’t keep my gaze on her for long. We’ve hardly spoken this morning.

“Abby, how’s the veggie prep coming along?” John calls out, his voice rising above the clatter of pots and pans. He pulls me out of my reverie, and I return to my work.

“Just about done,” I reply, my knife slicing through a carrot with a satisfying crunch.

“I must say,” Anton chimes in then, “this kitchen is a dream to work in. Your taste is impeccable, Abby. Perhaps you and Karl should team up again as husband and wife, and decorate my kitchen next.”

“Oh, Anton,” Daisy chides, clicking her tongue. “Watch what you say!”

Anton’s words, although coming from a good place, make my heart clench a little. I glance up at Chloe, who just so happens to look up at me at the same time. She’s still mad at me, and we both quickly look away.

But she’ll come around; I’m sure of it. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

A few hours later, we’re all bustling around, packing up the prepared food and utensils for the move to the volunteering location. The atmosphere is charged with excitement and a hint of nervous energy.

Today’s event is special, because we’re not just cooking; we’re part of something bigger, contributing to the community by helping at the library’s building project. I know that this community doesn’t mean as much to them as the city, but it still means something, and that’s all that matters to me.

As we arrive at the library location, the scene is already a hive of activity despite the early hour.

Volunteers are everywhere, some painting walls, others laying bricks, and many more engaged in various tasks like carrying beams or giving orders. It’s inspiring to see that so many people have showed up today, and I can’t help but wonder if their Alpha’s presence had something to do with it.

In fact, I soon see the cameras gathering, and my suspicions are confirmed. They’re already snapping sly photos of me and Karl, no doubt for their blogs or newspapers or magazines. I can practically see the headlines now: “Alpha Karl and Luna Abby back together, serving their community”.

I just hope that the headlines don’t have anything to do with food poisoning or scandals.

We quickly find our designated spot and start setting up our tent. The air is filled with the sounds of hammers and drills, mingled with the laughter and chatter of volunteers.

As I start laying out the food with my team and getting to work on the grills, however, I feel something; like eyes on me.

I glance up, and my eyes inadvertently find Karl. He’s across the field, working with a group of volunteers on the library’s new structure. He’s in his element, laughing and joking with the others, and yet every so often, his gaze drifts over to our tent… and lands directly on me.

Our eyes meet, and for a moment, time seems to stand still. His look is full of something I can’t quite decipher—pride, perhaps, or maybe something deeper. I feel a blush creeping up into my cheeks, and I quickly look away, focusing back on my cooking.

“Abby, the sauce!” Daisy calls out, snapping me out of my daze.

“Right, on it,” I say, quickly turning my attention to the simmering pot on the portable stove. The sauce was on the verge of burning, but Daisy snapped me out of it just in time. I turn the heat down, and give it a taste. It needs just a little more seasoning, and then it’ll taste perfect over the chicken breasts we’ve prepared.

As the day progresses, the smells of our cooking fill the air, drawing people over. We serve up hearty portions of stew, fresh salads, and warm bread, the smiles and thank-yous from the volunteers fueling our spirits. It’s hard work, but it’s also incredibly satisfying.

During a brief lull, I step out of the tent, wiping my hands on my apron.

I look over at the building project and see Karl lifting a heavy beam, his muscles flexing under the strain.

I swallow as I watch him, feeling that heat rise through my body again. Lately, maybe because of my wolf’s return, I’ve felt undeniably attracted to him. No matter how hard I try to push it away, I keep thinking about what we did in the woods on the night of the party, when my dress got wet in the snow and I didn’t have a care in the world. I hate to admit it, but I want to feel that again.

“You could, you know,” my wolf teases, her voice low and husky. “Behind the shed over there—”

“Don’t you dare,” I retort inwardly, my eyes still fixed on Karl and his gleaming muscles. “Don’t do this to me right now.”

My wolf chuckles, clearly enjoying the strain. But she relents, and I let out a soft sigh of relief. I’m about to turn away to head back to the tent and rejoin my team, but then something happens; Karl looks up from his work, and as though sensing me, he looks over his shoulder at me.

He catches my eye again, and this time, he smiles.

A real, genuine smile that reaches his eyes and makes my heart skip a beat.