Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 388

Karl

The sun outside is high in the sky as I look out the window, my cheek in my hand. On the table in front of me is a massive book outlining not only the history of my family, but also the island chain that we’ve supposedly ruled for centuries.

It’s been almost two months since we made the move here, and we’re settling in well. While I spend my days with the early stages of my royalty training, Abby and Leah have been getting to work getting Abby’s new restaurant ready to open.

Everyone is happy.

But today, with the sun shining overhead and the warm breeze blowing in off the ocean, I feel cooped up.

The tutor that Reginald hired for me took the day off, but left me here with ‘homework’. It almost feels silly, doing homework as a man in his mid-twenties who has a second wedding coming up. Normally, though, it wouldn’t bother me.

Today, though…

I keep looking out the window at every little sound and movement outside. From where I’m sitting in the library, I can see everything: the gardens, the stables, the cottage where Leah has been living, even the town off in the distance.

My eyes keep flickering to the stables. That black horse—my father’s horse—is out there again. I can see her perfectly from where I’m sitting. Her black fur seems to catch the sunlight as she trots back and forth in front of the fence, snorting and stamping her hooves.

She’s bored. And so am I.

Finally, with a huff, I snap the book shut and stand from my chair. I check my watch one last time; it’s almost four o’clock anyway.

As I walk out of the library and jog down the massive stone steps to the main floor, my wolf stretches and yawns in the back of my mind.

“Want to go for a run?” I ask, feeling the need to stretch my legs. “We can shift and—”

“It’s hot here,” he complains before I can finish. “Too hot.”

“You’ll get used to it,” I chide him inwardly with a small smirk and a shake of my head. He’s been moaning about the heat since we got here and has had no desire to shift.

But if I’m being honest, I love the heat here; it’s refreshing, in an odd sort of way. Or maybe that’s just the feeling of my fate getting to me.

Since my wolf is too hot and lazy to go on a run of our own, I decide on the next best idea: a ride along the beach.

My initial plan is to take out one of the other horses, but as I step out onto the sunny pebbled pathway and begin walking toward the stables, the black horse, Eva, stops and snorts with defiance, catching my attention once again.

“You bored?” I say as I walk up to her, as though she can understand me. “You look bored.”

She doesn’t answer, obviously; although the way her hoof stamps in the grass tells me all I need to know.

I take a quick glance up at the estate; Reginald is likely in a meeting right now. He usually prefers to be the only one to ride Eva, the daughter of my mother’s horse, but I can’t help myself. I’ve been eyeing her for weeks now, dying to feel her speed down the beach, and…

I don’t know. I just feel defiant today. Maybe the heat is getting to me more than I realize.

…

The wind rushes through my hair, a wild yell of excitement crackling out of my lips. I’ve only moved at speeds like this in my wolf form, but there’s something different about it in my human form.

Even my wolf roils around inside of me, energized by the wind and the speed. “Now I feel invigorated,” he says.

“I knew you would.” I smirk and push Eva even faster. She pants beneath me as I race down the beach, kicking up white sand into the air. Off in the distance, the sun begins to set over the horizon; but here, that means that the day has really only just begun.

By the time I return to the stables, Eva is slick with sweat. I slide down from her back and pat her on the neck, to which she snorts and bumps her massive head into me.

“Hey, watch it,” I say with a laugh as I scratch the enormous beast’s ears. “I know you enjoyed yourself, but try not to knock me over, won’t you?”

“Ahem.”

I nearly jump at the sound of someone clearing their throat. When I look up, there’s a silhouette backlit by the setting sun on the other side of the stable, standing in the doorway.

“Uh, Reginald,” I begin, then correct myself. “I mean… Father. I hope you don’t mind…”

Reginald just stands there for a moment, looking at me. Or at least, I think he’s looking at me; he’s just a dark silhouette right now, and all I can see is his tall form standing there, his hands in his pockets.

For a moment, I think I might get a scolding. This is his horse, after all, and he’s extremely attached to her—for obvious reasons, seeing as how she’s a sort of connection to my late mother, in a way.

I wouldn’t blame him for being at least a little miffed over the fact that I practically stole her and took her out on a breakneck run when there are a dozen other horses to choose from in the stables.

But when he steps forward and his face comes into focus in the dim light of the barn, he doesn’t look angry. Instead, there’s a bittersweet, almost… sad sort of smile on his face as he strides up to me.

“She’s fast, isn’t she?” he asks, patting Eva’s sweaty neck.

I nod, still a bit breathless. “Very fast. It felt like I was flying.”

Reginald smirks a bit. “You look like you were flying,” he says.

“Listen,” I say, blanching slightly, “I know I promised I would stay inside and study, but she just looked so bored out here. And you were busy, so…”

“Karl.” Reginald puts his hand up and chuckles a bit, his other hand scratching the horse’s muzzle. “You don’t need to explain yourself. You’re an adult.”

I blink, somewhat taken aback. Reginald and I seem to have a lot of moments like this, honestly; neither of us really knows how to act around each other just yet. It’s a learning process, I guess.

“Sorry,” I say with a chuckle. “I probably still should have asked. She’s your horse, after all.”

Reginald eyes me for a moment, still stroking the horse’s neck. She leans her head down, huffing with satisfaction and blowing hot air onto his shoulder. Her deep brown eyes start to go slack, and her ears swivel around, twitching at a stray fly that’s buzzing through the hot stable.

“You’re just like her, you know,” Reginald suddenly says.

I furrow my brow and look over at Eva. “Like… the horse?” I ask, genuinely confused.

“No.” Reginald laughs heartily and pats me on the shoulder. “Like your mother.”