Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 302

Karl

As I get ready for bed, my mind replays the events of the evening, particularly the intense moment with Abby in the alley. We were so close to hooking up there—up until Leah arrived and reminded us that we weren’t exactly in the ideal spot for something like that.

But then, Abby kept drinking. She handled herself well, but when I saw her stumble, I knew it was time to call it a night; so I took her home, and no matter how much it hurt, I had to reject her advances.

My wolf, always present in my thoughts, chides me for turning Abby down. “She clearly wanted you tonight,” he growls inside my head. “You had a chance to make love with her again, to get closer to her, and you blew it.”

I shake my head, staring into the mirror as I brush my teeth. “She was too drunk,” I argue as I spit my toothpaste into the sink. “It wouldn’t have been right. I don’t feel comfortable taking advantage of her, especially when she’s in that state. And besides, she always seems to regret our hookups. Adding a layer of drunkenness would only make matters worse.”

My wolf snorts, a sound of frustration echoing in my mind. “You and Abby used to have no qualms about going out, getting drunk, and then coming home to make love. Why is it so different now?”

I rinse my mouth and turn off the faucet, my reflection in the mirror staring back at me. I look a little haggard myself, partially from the day of hard labor but also partially from the alcohol and… well, everything else.

“It’s different because we’re divorced now,” I firmly say out loud. “Or have you forgotten?”

“I haven’t forgotten,” my wolf growls. “I’m not a fool, Karl. But you know how she really feels; she just needs to realize it.”

I almost scoff. “Our relationship has been rocky, to say the least,” I retort. “You know as well as I do that it’s a constant game of hot and cold, mixed feelings, and broken hearts. Sleeping with her tonight, in her current state, would only make it worse. If I want to win her back, hooking up with her every chance I get probably won’t help.”

My wolf is silent for a moment, contemplating my words. Finally, he lets out a resigned sigh. “I understand,” he says, his tone somber. “But you can’t deny that there’s still something between you two.”

“Of course there is,” I say with a nod. “But that doesn’t mean we should act on it recklessly. Especially not when she’s drunk and still pissed at me over the whole fake relationship thing.”

With that, I finish getting ready and climb into bed, my mind still filled with thoughts of Abby. Even in her drunken state tonight, she was beautiful. I’ve always loved the way her cheeks flush red when she drinks, and the way she laughs at everything. She’s especially stunning when she’s smiling.

As I lay in my bed, I allow my mind to drift onto… other things. Onto the way that her hands felt on me in the alley, the softness of her thighs as I gave her a piggyback ride. God, I do want her. I want her more than anything; just thinking about her makes me hard. Before I know it, I’m squirming uncomfortably in bed, unable to sleep.

I let my hand wander down beneath the blankets, and shut my eyes, filling my mind with images of Abby. I wish she was here, with me, but she’s not. So instead, I have to settle for the fantasies in my own head.

And before I can drift off to sleep, I desperately need a release.

…

The next day, as the final day of the library project unfolds, I find myself more worried about Abby than aroused. Even though my mind keeps flitting back to the secret fantasies I had about her last night, seeing her like this makes me concerned.

She’s clearly hungover, her face pale and her movements sluggish. I watch her from across the construction site, working with her staff in the cooking tent. She’s drinking a lot of water, trying to push through the day, but I know that she just wants to sleep.

During a break, I decide to check on her. I grab a fresh bottle of cold water and some painkillers for the migraine I’m certain she has, and I make my way to the tent. She’s leaning on the counter, poring over what looks like a list of ingredients; although, I don’t think she’s actually focusing on the list.

I think she might even be nodding off just a bit.

“Hey,” I say as I approach her. “You okay?

Abby jerks her head up, clearly surprised by my sudden appearance. Her cheeks instantly flush red and she straightens, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Never been better,” she says, although we both know that’s a blatant lie. “What’s up?”

I hold up the bottle of water and the pills. “I brought you some water and painkillers. Have you eaten anything, or…?”

Abby looks up at me, a sheepish expression on her face. “Thanks, Karl,” she says, accepting the water and medicine. “And no, I haven’t really eaten. I’m not sure my stomach can handle it yet.”

I nod, understanding her plight. Hangovers are no joke. “Try to eat some toast or something,” I say. “I know it doesn’t seem like it’ll help right now, but it will. You need something in your system to absorb that alcohol.”

She nods, a grateful look in her eyes. “I will,” she mutters, her gaze flickering down to the pills in her hand. “And... I’m sorry about last night. I didn’t mean to... you know.”

I shake my head, offering a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, Abby. Just take care of yourself.”

As we talk, there’s a moment where our eyes lock, and I think I see something passionate in her gaze. I can feel the pull of our wolves, desperately wanting us to move closer together, and I know she feels it just as much as I do.

But before I can act on that feeling or even begin to decipher it, I’m called back to work.

“See you later, Abby,” I say, turning on my heel to walk away. There’s so much more I want to say to her, but I can’t. “And feel better.”

Abby nods. “Thanks again,” she murmurs, holding up the pills and water. “See you.”

…

Later, I find myself preparing for an interview with the local news about the library building project. Finally, it’s time to see those approval ratings boost.

But if I’m being honest, I actually enjoyed this project; approval ratings or not. Maybe Abby was right when I did the food drive that one day. Maybe volunteering, helping out my community, is more fulfilling than I expected.

My body is sore from the labor and the calluses on my hands have practically doubled in size, but seeing the exterior of the new library come together, and knowing that it will become a sanctuary for so many people of my pack, means so much more to me than I would have thought.

“Oh, just one moment, Alpha Karl,” the interviewer says as he looks around. “We’d like the Luna to join you as well.”

“Abby is a bit busy today,” I say, not wanting to imply that she’s sick. “Is it necessary?”

The interviewer nods. “I’m afraid it is,” he says. “Sorry. Boss’s orders.”

I let out a soft sigh. I didn’t want to subject Abby to this today, but it seems I have no choice. Thankfully, she’s not far off, and I wave her over. A few minutes later, she’s begrudgingly accepting some hair and makeup for the cameras, and then she’s stiffly settling down into the chair beside me.

“Sorry,” I whisper, leaning over to her. “I tried—”

“It’s fine,” she interrupts as she smooths her shirt down. “I’m getting used to the cameras.”

Abby’s words leave me a bit surprised; she’s never been the type to be particularly comfortable in the eye of the public, but I suppose the cook-off changed something in her. I hate to say it, but it’s honestly attractive.

Despite her hangover, she’s pulling her shoulders back and putting on a smile, the perfect image of a Luna. Before I can process it, however, the cameras begin rolling and the questions start to come.

We spend the next fifteen minutes answering questions about the project, funding, the library, and my reasons for volunteering. I answer with everything that Sarah told me to say: that I want to start giving back to my community in more than a simple financial way, that I’ve always admired people who volunteer, and that I plan on volunteering more from now on.

Of course, these are all things that would have meant nothing to me just a couple of weeks ago; but now, I’m honestly starting to believe them.

But then, the interviewer turns to Abby. “And what made you want to cater the event, after what happened with the Alpha party?” he asks.

My heart skips a beat. I should have expected this question, but Abby might be taken off guard.

And yet, when I turn to look at her, there’s nothing but a smile on her face.

“We wanted to show that we’re still a united front,” she says so confidently that it even takes me by surprise. “That we can cook delicious food and contribute positively. We hope this week has demonstrated that community is important, and sometimes, rumors are just that: rumors.”

There’s a brief silence once she’s finished. I’m shocked, and it’s clear that the interviewer is, too. I guess none of us expected Abby, the meek and mild ex-Luna, to speak so eloquently on camera—especially not after what happened at the Alpha gathering.

But I suppose that these days, Abby is just full of surprises. Pleasant surprises.

“That’s a lovely sentiment,” the interviewer says. “And from what I understand, your food has been quite the hit this week. Thank you for feeding all of the volunteers; it was a very kind gesture.”

Abby nods with a polite smile, but says nothing. I’m still too taken aback to utter a word.

But then, the interviewer throws a curveball that leaves me even more speechless.

“Could you two give us a kiss for the camera?”