Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 81: Home

Abby

The scent of mahogany and bergamot fills the air as I step into the room that was once mine—our

room, really.

I feel so drawn to the familiarity of it all; the embroidered curtains, the chestnut armoire that I remember

picking out myself, and the plush rug that used to cu shion my bare feet in the mornings. Every little

detail is still the same, just as I remember it. It’s uncanny, really.

My fingers trace the intricate patterns on the upholstery of the armchair near the window. It’s a bit

surreal, being back in this space. I mean, this was my sanctuary once. Our sanctuary. But now, it’s

filled with… bittersweet memories. Maybe more bitter than sweet.

I move to the dresser next. That’s when I see it: a photo of us, still sitting exactly where it used to be on

top of the dresser—Karl and I laughing at something, looking so young, so naive. My eyes widen

slightly as I gently pick it up. Did he have this picture up all this time?

As I hold the picture, something stirs in me. Tears begin to p rick the backs of my eyes, and I have to

set

the frame back down with a ragged breath, laying the photo flat so I don’t need to look at it. Suddenly, it

feels all too stuffy in here, and I need to get out for a bit.

I make my way down the winding staircase and out through the large foyer, by pas sing the glances of

a

few household staff. When I reach the back patio, I take a deep breath, as if I can finally breathe again.

Then, pushing open the door, I step into the garden, a sanctuary that I used to escape to when the

weight of the world felt unbearable.

The colors and smells envelop me instantly, filling my senses with a mix of nostalgia and tranquility.

Rows of roses, lavender, and daisies stretch out in front of me like an artist’s vivid canvas. I walk past a

bunch of lilies, their heads tilted towards the sun, and reach the jasmine vine that was always my

favorite. Leaning in, I take a deep sniff. Its scent is as intoxicating as I remember.

For a moment, I feel free from the memories and the speculation that my return is no doubt generating.

But then, feeling as though someone is watching me, I look up instinctively toward the mansion.

Overhead in a window, that’s where I see Gerald, the butler, staring at me through one of the back

windows.

His face is inscrutable, but his eyes, they hold a certain…bewilderment? Or is is something else?

Then, the moment our gazes meet, he abruptly steps away from the window and disappears from view.

A flush creeps over my skin, a mix of embarrassment and curiosity. It must be odd for him to see me

wandering around the garden, the ex-Luna now an unexpected visitor in her former home. How many

people here still believe that I cheated on Karl with the gardener?

I shake my head, trying to dispel the uneasy feeling that settles in my gut. Surely he was just surprised

to see me. After all, I doubt Karl made a big announcement about my return. I just hope that he at least

dispelled the theory about my nonexistent infidelity.

Deciding it’s time to go back inside, I take one last look around the garden, breathing in deeply to

steady myself. Then, I make my way back towards the house. Just as I reach the patio door, it swings

open, and there stands Elsie, one of the maids I had always been close to.

“Abby!” Her eyes light up, and before I know it, I’m wrapped in a warm, affectionate hug.

“Elsie, it’s so good to see you,” I murmur, returning the hug with just as much enthusiasm.

“You look amazing,” she exclaims, pulling back to look at me. “Is life outside treating you well?”

I laugh. “As well as it can, I guess.”

A moment of silence hangs in the air before she finally asks the question that I’ve been dreading. “So…

Are you and Karl…” Her words trail off, but her implication is clear.

My cheeks flush a deep red. “No, no, nothing like that,” I assure her. “We’re just friends. He invited me

to visit, that’s all.”

Her lips curl into a knowing smirk, and I instantly regret my choice of words. But instead of making a

comment, she simply nods. “Well, it’s really nice to have you back, even if it’s just for a… visit.”

The subtext is as clear as daylight. In her eyes, Karl and I could never just be “friends”. And as much

as I’d like to deny it, a part of me wonders if she’s right.

“Thanks, Elsie,” I say softly. “It’s good to be back.”

With that, I make my way back into the house, each step carrying a different weight, a different

emotion. As I reach the top of the staircase, I hear Karl’s voice drifting from the living room, and my

heart does a strange little leap. Maybe Elsie’s smirk held more truth than I’d like to admit.

Just then, I hear the familiar ping of my phone and my thoughts snap back to the present. Reluctantly, I

pull it from my pocket and see a message from Ethan. He’s asking a question about inventory, and I

know that I should let it wait until I get home. But before I know it, I’m typing out a reply, unable to resist

the urge to be a boss for five minutes.

I’m halfway through responding when the sound of footsteps approaches behind me. “Ahem.”

Startled, I whip around to see Karl standing on the step below me. He has a knowing look on his face,

and a sparkle in his eye.

He moves closer, and for a split second, I’m transported back to a time when this was an everyday

occurrence.

“You’re not working, are you?” he asks, gesturing to the phone in my hand. “You’re supposed to be

enjoying the weekend off.”

With an embarrassed shrug, I avert my gaze. “Maybe a little.”

Karl reaches for my phone, gently taking it from me. “Abby, Ethan and the restaurant will survive just

fine without you for a couple of days. Just try to relax. Please.”

I look at him, partly exasperated but mostly grateful. He always had a knack for cutting through my

excuses. “Okay, okay. No more work. I get it.”

A smile brightens his face, and it’s a smile I’ve missed more than I care to admit. “Well, look,” he says,

“I just finished up a couple of things here, and now I’m free until my meeting. How about some coffee at

that cafe you used to love?”

…

The cafe hasn’t changed much since I was last here three years ago.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, mingled with the comforting scents of baked goods.

Even the barista seems to remember us, shooting a discreet, knowing look our way.

Karl orders our drinks—black coffee for him and a hazelnut latte for me, just like old times—and we

decide to take them to go. Stepping out, we make our way to the nearby park where I used to lose

myself in books and Karl occasionally joined me, pretending to read but really just watching the birds.

That was before he started spending too much time as an Alpha, and leaving little time for me. For us.

“It’s… Just as I remember it,” I say, taking a sip of my latte as we walk along the stone pathway.

He smiles. “Some things never change.”

But some things do. Like us. Like me. And yet, the more we walk, the more the lines blur. The trees are

still tall and majestic, the air is fresh, and the world around us feels like it’s stuck in a time capsule—a

snapshot of our happier past.

Suddenly, Karl nudges me. “Don’t look now, but I think we’ve got some fans.”

I glance sideways to see a couple pointing discreetly at us. A young woman approaches, cautiously but

curiously. “Alpha Karl!” she greets, her gaze sliding over to me. “And… Luna Abby…?”

Luna. The word catches me off guard. It’s been ages since I’ve been addressed that way.

Karl offers the woman a polite smile. Much to my surprise, he doesn’t correct her on the title she’s

given me. “Is there something I can do for you?”

“Oh, no, just wondering if… are you two back together?” she blurts out, her eyes bright with hope—or

maybe it’s curiosity.

“We’re just spending some time together,” I jump in before Karl can answer, feeling a blush creep up

my cheeks. “Friendly visit.”

The woman nods, a little disappointed perhaps, but she backs away with another nod and smile. “Oh.

Well… It’s good to see you, Luna.”

As we continue our walk, the woman’s words hang in the air between us. I was Luna once, and a part

of me misses it—the sense of community, the responsibility, and, if I’m honest, the connection it

signified between Karl and me.

“Sorry about that,” Karl finally says, breaking the silence. “People never really got over you, you know.

Not that I can blame them.”

A blush creeps into my cheeks, and it’s all I can do to look away before Karl notices. “It’s fine,” I lie,

taking a sip of my latte. “It’s perfectly fine.”