Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 317

Abby

“Another surprise. No more appointments this time. I promise.”

Karl’s proposition takes me by surprise. I just finished crying in the car over a failed visit to some quack ‘doctor’ who wants to give me strange potions to cure my fertility issues, and all I want to do is go home and climb back into bed to sleep off the pain.

But Karl, it seems, has other plans.

“No, Karl, I just... I want to go home,” I mutter, feeling the weight of the morning’s disappointment still heavy on my shoulders. I can barely meet his gaze, my eyes still stinging from the tears I hastily wiped away.

I keep staring out the window at a particular birch tree on the doctor’s front lawn. All of its leaves are gone for the season, giving way to bare branches that reach up into the blue sky.

Karl lets out a soft sigh. I can feel his hand reaching out to gently squeeze mine. Even though I want to pull away, I don’t. His touch is a comfort.

“Abby, I know this morning didn't go as planned,” he says. “But let me make it up to you, at least. I’ve got a little time before my first meeting of the day. C’mon, I promise you’ll love where I’m about to take you.”

I want to refuse, to curl up in my bed and hide away from the world. But the promise of something to maybe take my mind off of things is tempting, and it’s almost impossible to deny Karl’s request, just as it always is.

“Okay,” I relent with a heavy sigh. “But if it’s another crazy surprise, I’m walking home.”

Karl laughs, a sound that makes me smile even though I don’t want it to. “Good luck. It’ll be a long, cold walk.”

We drive in silence for a little while. The sun has warmed the landscape, causing some of the fresh snowfall from last night to melt and drip off of the tree branches.

Finally, we pull up to an old building with large windows displaying colorful canvases and sculptures. An art gallery. My curiosity is piqued despite myself.

“An art gallery?” I ask as we step out of the car.

Karl nods, holding the door open for me. “I’ve been meaning to get something to hang in my office. You’re better at this sort of stuff than I am.”

I can’t help but laugh; it’s true. I was always the one to care more about the interior design aspect of things. Karl was more of the “Is the foundation of the house going to make it for another year?” type of person.

We wander through the exhibit, and Karl points out a few paintings that he likes. “Maybe this one,” he says, pointing out a still life of some fruit and a milk jug.

I shoot him a quizzical look. “That one? Really?”

“What’s wrong with it?” he asks. “I like it.”

“It doesn’t fit your office at all,” I tease. “It’s too girly.”

He purses his lips, thinking for a moment before he nods. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Better suited for a kitchen or a bathroom than for an Alpha’s office.”

We continue walking and looking at the art, eventually settling on a painting of a foggy mountain. I don’t think Karl actually needs a new painting, though; I think he just wanted an excuse to go out together, and to get me invested in our old home again. I know him too well. I know his tactics.

But I’m not going to say anything, because I’m actually enjoying myself. The art has effectively taken my mind off of the visit to Doctor Armitage, at least for now.

A little while later, we’re driving back toward our town. My stomach is growling, and so is Karl’s. We agree to stop at the local cafe for something quick before Karl needs to head to his first meeting of the day.

The cafe is cozy, with small tables and a comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee as we step inside. We walk up to the counter and order; yet another distraction. Paintings instead of potions. Coffee instead of fertility.

But our peaceful moment is shattered when the door chimes, and I instinctively glance over my shoulder. That’s when I see them.

Ethan and Gianna are walking in. Stiffening, I quickly nudge Karl to make him turn around. By the time he looks over his shoulder, it’s already too late; Ethan and Gianna are standing right behind us.

“Hello, Ethan.” Karl turns around with an air of confidence that I wish I had right now.

“Karl,” Ethan says with a tight smile. “Ready for the big announcement tomorrow?”

Karl’s grip on his coffee cup tightens, but his voice remains calm. “Of course, Ethan. Everything’s prepared on my end. What about you?”

“Of course.”

Throughout their entire conversation, Gianna’s gaze is fixed on me, her eyes like ice. I can feel her judgment, her disdain. But then something happens: Karl’s arm finds its way around my waist. He pulls me close, almost pulling me off balance.

I feel my face heat up as I stumble a little into him, but his body is warm and strong against me. It’s as if he could tell that she’s staring daggers at me, and his movements are a silent warning.

“Stay away from her,” his gesture seems to say. “Or else.”

Gianna’s expression flickers, anger, jealousy, and a hint of something else flashing in her eyes before she looks away. It’s a small victory, but it feels significant. No, it is significant. And as I look up at Karl, he feels like a light in the storm.

Ethan doesn’t seem to notice the exchange. Or maybe he does, and just pretends not to. Either way, he continues, “Yes, I’m prepared. May the best man win, brother.”

Karl narrows his eyes. I can feel him tense up beside me, his arm strengthening its grip around me. I don’t think he wants to admit it, but I’m a light in his storm, too. “Of course. May the best man win.”

There’s an uncomfortable silence after that. Gianna continues to fume, her eyes averted to her feet. Karl and Ethan stare into each other’s eyes. I feel caught in the middle, and the barista looks at the whole exchange with confusion written across her face.

“Um, excuse me?” she calls out. “There’s a line, if you could please give your orders.”

Ethan’s face shifts, and he offers Karl and I a stiff smile. “Of course. Well, see you tomorrow, then,” he says, although his tone is anything but his usual politeness. He and Gianna both brush past us, leaving Karl and I standing there. We shoot each other a silent glance, but say nothing.

As Karl and I leave the coffee shop, Karl’s hold on me tightens, and I lean into him, allowing myself to take in his scent.

“Thank you,” I whisper, feeling a renewed attraction to him for standing up for me.

Karl looks down at me, his eyes soft and yet burning with something that makes my stomach flutter ever so slightly.

“As if I’d let her disrespect you,” he murmurs, his arm tightening around my waist. “Never again.”