Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 96

Karl

Abby’s face is a picture of complete and utter betrayal as she looks at me from across the metallic countertop.

“Why are you really here, Karl?” she hisses, her voice wavering ever so slightly. “What else could you possibly want from me?”

For a moment, I almost consider telling her that there’s nothing else, that I just wanted to apologize. But then there’s my wolf in the back of my mind, always the more logical one, pushing me to be truthful.

She deserves to know the truth, the whole truth behind what happened. Not just what happened over the past week, but what happened three years ago.

“Alright,” I murmur, nodding. “Let me tell you…”

…

A week ago, Gerald stood in front of my desk, his face like stone. “If you’re planning to fire Gianna, then I’m afraid you'll be losing more than just a secretary,” he states flatly, his gaze unwavering. “I’ll have no option but to resign as well.”

I sighed, passing a hand over my weary face. “Gerald, I’m sorry, but I can’t discuss this with you,” I said. “My reasons for the decisions I make are mine and mine alone.”

Gerald stood rigidly, a wax figure in his impeccable butler attire, his eyes refusing to meet mine.

“Very well then,” he said. “But my point stands: if you fire Gianna, then I must resign as well.”

His words still confused me. “Why, Gerald? You've seen people come and go in this house for years, and you’ve never even batted an eye. What’s so special about my secretary?”

Gerald paused. “We’re… friends, sir. I can’t in good conscience remain here if she’s fired unjustly.:

His voice, usually controlled and even, wavered ever so slightly. I scrutinized him closely, the age lines on his face more pronounced than ever.

“But Gerald,” I repeated, “you’ve seen dozens of employees be let go or quit over the years. This isn’t like you. Are you romantically involved with her?”

The words were out before I could weigh them, hanging grotesquely in the air. He was far too old for Gianna. Gerald’s face went ashen, his eyes wide.

“Gods, no, sir. That’s not it at all.”

My eyes narrowed. “Then what is it, Gerald? I’ve known you for decades. You’re not a man prone to rash decisions or sudden attachments.”

Gerald sighed, the weight of the world seemingly on his shoulders. “Very well, sir. Gianna is my daughter. My illegitimate daughter.”

I shut my eyes wearily for a moment. “Why now, Gerald? Why did you never mention this before?”

“I only discovered that she was my daughter five years ago, sir. By that time, she was already working for you. I didn’t want to cause a disruption, so we kept it a secret.”

My mind raced, stumbling through a maze of confessions and betrayals. I thought about the longevity of Gerald’s service, his steadfast loyalty, and juxtaposed it against the deplorable conduct of Gianna.

“I appreciate you coming clean, Gerald. But you must understand that this is a lot to process.”

“Of course, sir. I didn’t expect you to make a decision right away.”

“Give me some time to think about this.”

“Absolutely.”

With that, Gerald exited the room, leaving me alone with the weight of his confession. My secretary, Gianna, was the illegitimate daughter of my butler?

Among the emails was a proposition to our gardener, back when Abby and I were still together. A proposition to take a pair of Abby’s underwear, violate them, and leave them in the garden for everyone to find, all in return for a sum of money, with the most recent email from the gardener:

“Gianna, I did it. I expect the payment in my account by tonight, as promised.”

And then, from Gianna, dated just five minutes later: “Of course. I just sent the payment. Thanks for your help. When I become Luna, I’ll send you a little extra for your trouble.”

“This isn’t true,” Gianna stammered, but her eyes betrayed her.

“Oh, but it is,” I cut in. “And let’s not forget the other night. Those incriminating emails just miraculously appeared on my computer screen, right when Abby ‘found’ them. A distraction, perhaps, while you attempted to kiss me and make Abby out to be the villain. Well done.”

I shifted my gaze to Gerald, then back to Gianna. “So, how long exactly did you plan to usurp Abby? To become the next Luna?”

That was when Gerald suddenly stood and stepped forward, placing himself protectively in front of his daughter. “It was my idea, Karl. All of it. I’ve always felt Abby came from dirt. My daughter deserves to be Luna.”

My nostrils flared, my fists clenched. “You, of all people, Gerald? You dare to judge Abby? To plot against her?”

Gerald’s eyes were ablaze. “You’re a fool, Karl. Ruining the family name. If your adoptive brother wasn’t in a coma, you’d never even be Alpha.”

I rose from my seat, towering over them. “Enough. Both of you, leave. You’re fired and banished from the pack.”

Gianna’s eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling. “Karl, please. I’ve always loved you.”

But Gerald took her by the arm, leading her out. His eyes met mine one last time before he disappeared, and although he spoke no words, his gaze said it all.

“Watch your back, Karl.”