Chasing His Kickass Luna Back

Abby

The ride home feels like an eternity, my head still throbbing with pain and the world outside a blur of snow and darkness. Karl's presence beside me is a comforting anchor, and | try my best to focus on the sound of his voice as he reassures me that we'll be home soon.

Finally, | see the lights of the mansion come back into view like a lifeline in a stormy sea. We pass through the tall security gate and into safety once more, then pull into the driveway. Karl turns off the engine and stops to glance at me.

“Ready?” he asks, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

| nod, too tired to steep. He quickly gets out of the car and comes around to my side, helping me out. But as soon as | step onto the snowy ground, my legs give way beneath me, and | stumble and fall, the world spinning around me.

“Abby!” Karl exclaims in alarm, catching me before | hit the ground. I clutch onto him, feeling dizzy and disoriented. “Karl, | don’t feel so good,” | mumble, my voice weak.

He doesn’t waste a second. With gentle strength, he scoops me up into his arms, cradling me like I’m a fragile doll. | rest my head against his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his body seeping into mine. Despite the pain and discomfort, | can’t help but find comfort in his arms.

As soon as we enter the house, Alice and Elsie rush over, their faces filled with worry. “Is she okay?” Elsie asks, her voice trembling.

Karl nods, his expression calm and composed. “She’s going to be fine, but she needs some care right now. Can you bring me warm water and a washcloth, run her a warm bath, and get her some herbal tea? Also, please call the doctor.”

Alice and Elsie nod in unison, and they scurry away to attend to his requests.

Karl carries me up the stairs and gently sets me down on my bed, and | let out a sigh of relief as | sink into the familiar softness of the mattress.

“I'm gonna undress you now, okay?” Karl asks. I nod stiffly.

He starts to peel off my soaked clothes, and it’s only then that | realize just how cold and wet | am from the snow. Embarrassment floods over me as | lie there in my underwear, but Karl doesn’t seem to notice or care. He’s too focused on making sure I’m okay.

“You're lucky you didn’t get hypothermia or frostbite,” he says softly, his fingers brushing against my skin as he helps me out of my wet clothes.

| can’t help but blush, feeling a bit bashful without my clothes in front of him. “Thank you for saving me,” | murmur, my throat still sore from the screaming earlier.

He smiles, his eyes warm and caring as he continues to undress me. “You're strong, Abby,” he says gently. “You fought those men off all on your own until | arrived. I’m proud of you.”

His words should make me feel better, but in reality, they only serve to fuel the anger and frustration that have been simmering inside of me. If only | could have shifted sooner, maybe it never would have happened. | scold my wolf mentally, my thoughts filled with disappointment.

“You shouldn't have left me all alone like that,” | growl at her in the back of my mind. “You should have been there when | needed you the most.”

“Abby,” she whines, “I have no choice. Without him by our side, I’m not strong enough.”

Her words make me even angrier. The thought that | could be dead just because of my fated mate not being right there just isn’t fair, and it’s also not fair that | might have no choice but to officially get back with Karl for my own safety; and despite what happened today, I’m still not sure if I’m ready for a step that big.

Karl finishes undressing me and begins to tend to my head with a warm washcloth. “Hold still,” he says gently, dabbing at the sore spot where | was hit.

| wince at the touch but do my best to obey. “I’m sorry, Karl,” | whisper, my voice laced with guilt. “I should have listened to you earlier instead of going out and risking getting caught in the snow. All over a stupid dress.”

He sighs and reaches for my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You couldn’t have known, Abby,” he says gently. “Just let it be a lesson; never forget that I’m always going to find you. If something like that happens ever again, just wait for me.”

Tears prickle at the corners of my eyes, and | turn my head away to hide them. Karl's words are comforting, but | still feel like a fool.

If only | had waited just a few more minutes, none of what happened with those men ever would have happened. | never should have gotten into their car. | never should have been so trusting.

After tending to my head, Karl helps me into the warm bath that Alice has prepared. The hot water soothes my aching body, and I let out a contented sigh as | sink into the tub. Karl stays nearby, keeping a watchful eye on me as | soak but also giving me some privacy.

When I'm done with the bath, Karl helps me into a fresh set of pajamas and tucks me into bed. It’s then that there’s a knock on the door, and Karl gets up to answer.

“Good evening,” the doctor says as he enters, his gaze falling on me. “Let’s see what we've got here...”

The doctor begins examining me, going through the motions of prodding at my head checking) | evss agiingibasic questions and inspecting my nose, ears, and throat. He finishes by checking over my extremities for any signs of frostbite. Please read the original content at .

“You're in good shape,” he says as he packs up his instruments. “Just take Tylenol for your head, and keep aa hydrated. You've gat @iinoO comeiasiorbut thankfully nothing else. If you start to feel like you've got a cold, though, come and see me. I've prescribed you some antibiotics to keep pneumonia at bay, but | want you to keep an eye on your condition.” Please read the original content at .

| nod, watching him intently. “Thank you, doctor.”

Once the doctor leaves, | look over at

Karl, feeling a mixture of emotio

swirling inside ofespe What ree

gomaas &b-About those men?” | ask,

my voice filled with concern. “They

could hurt someone else.” PleaseAll content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

read the original content at

Karl sighs, his brow furrowing in thought. “I'll speak to the police in the morning,” he says. “I took note of their license plate. They'll be caught, don’t worry.”

| nod, feeling a bit relieved. “Thank you, Karl,” | murmur. “And thank you... for bringing me home.”

Inwardly, | realize that | referred to this place as ‘home’, even though it’s no longer my official home since the divorce. It's a subtle realization that tugs at my heart, but Karl doesn’t seem to notice.

Karl leans down and kisses my forehead gently. “I’m just glad you’re safe, Abby,” he says. “Goodnight.” As he starts to get up to leave, a sudden impulse seizes me, and | reach out, grabbing his hand.

“Wait,” | murmur, my eyes meeting his. “Please stay.”