Chasing His Kickass Luna Back
Chapter 0386

Abby

After watching Karl leave, I feel like I'm still in a state of shock.

Karl was never the type to volunteer back when we were married. I can actually remember one specific instance when I volunteered for an event and asked Karl to come along.

His response was anything but enthusiastic. He flat out refused, claiming that volunteering was “below his pay grade” as an Alpha. He argued that he had more important things to do, like attending meetings and dealing with important paperwork.

But now, it seems as if Karl's stance on volunteering has done a complete 180. It's a little fishy if you ask me. I can't help but wonder if he has some ulterior motives for this sudden change or if he's genuinely evolving as a person.

As I'm lost in thought wandering downstairs to the kitchen, I suddenly run into Marcus. He's carrying a box and seems to be on his way out of the house.

"Hey, Abby,” he says as he passes. “Need anything?”

I greet him with a slight smile. “No,” I reply, “But... what's going on with Karl? Why is he volunteering all of a sudden?”

Marcus raises an eyebrow, as if he's surprised by my question. “You haven't heard?” he asks.

I shake my head, genuinely clueless. “No, I haven't. What's the deal?”

Marcus lets out a sigh, as if he's about to reveal some big secret—and maybe even confirm my suspicions. “It's all about the election,” he says. “Karl's approval ratings took a dip, and he’s doing this volunteering thing to boost them up before the election is announced.”

I can;t help but feel a pang of disappointment. “That's it?” I ask incredulously. “He's doing it for his own gain?”

Marcus nods, his expression solemn. “Yeah, it's a political move,” he admits. “He wants to show the pack that he’s involved in the community and cares about their needs.”

I can't hide my annoyance. I guess I knew all along, but it still stings a bit. “But volunteering should be about genuinely wanting to help others, not just for the sake of your own image,” I say. “It feels so... insincere.”

Marcus shrugs, as if he's resigned to the situation. “The world of politics is a beast unto itself, Abby. Sometimes you have to play by the rules, even if you don't like them.”

As Marcus walks away, leaving me to think about the situation, I can't deny the disappointment I feel.

But, there's nothing I can do about it now. Karl has made up his mind, and he’s got an election to win. I won't get in the way of that. And so, with a soft sigh, I make my way to the kitchen where Elsie is already standing by the counter. She's got the standing mixer running with a huge lump of dough inside—this week's bread.

“Morning,” I say as I approach. “Let me help.”

As I help Elsie with the bread, though, my mind is still racing from the conversation I had with Marcus. I'm kneading the dough with my hands, but my movements are absent-minded, and I must have a faraway look on my face because Elsie finally breaks the silence.

“You look like you're miles away from here,” Elsie observes, her eyes focused on her own task of peeling potatoes. “Is something bothering you?”

I pause for a moment, unsure if it's even worth bringing up. But Elsie is my friend, and I can't deny the need to vent just a little. "Yeah, Elsie,” I finally admit with a sigh. “I am a bit bothered. It's about Karl."

Elsie nods understandingly. “I figured as much,” she says. “Did something happen on your double date last night?”

I take a deep breath, trying to put my thoughts into words. “I mean, there was a whole thing with that, I say with a sigh, “but it's not just that... I guess I thought Karl was changing. But now, I find out he's volunteering for purely political reasons, to boost his approval ratings for the election. It feels so disingenuous.”

Elsie continues kneading and shaping the dough into neat loaves and nods thoughtfully. “Abby, I understand how you feel,” she says gently. “But sometimes, people change in ways that may not be immediately obvious. Karl has come a long way over the years, especially in the past few months.”

I look at her, curious. “How can you tell?”

“You remember how mean he used to be as a boss,” she says. “He would yell at the servants and staff, and it wasn't always a pleasant environment to work in. But lately, he;s been treating everyone fairly. He doesn’t yell anymore, and he listens to our concerns. He's trying to be a better leader.”

I can't help but sigh a little. Elsie is right; I've been able to see the differences firsthand. Karl's temper has dwindled, and he’s a much better listener now.

“But is that really enough?” I ask.

Elsie chuckles. “Maybe it's not enough,” she says. “But nobody is perfect. We all have our flaws and our moments of selfishness. But it's important to acknowledge when someone is trying to improve, don't you think?”

I nod, starting to realize that she might be onto something. I recall the cook-off; it wasn't something he had to do, but he did it because he knew it meant a lot to me.

He even spent months working in my restaurant when I was short-staffed. None of that was for political gain; it was because he genuinely wanted to help me.

I feel a twinge of guilt for sitting here and judging him now. Maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, people change, and I've seen Karl change in many ways since our divorce. "Yeah, I guess you're right, Elsie,” I concede with a small smile. “I guess I should cut him some slack. After all, I'm far from perfect myself.”

"Arent we all,” Elsie joins in with a laugh.

As Elsie and I continue working on the bread, kneading it and shaping it into loaves to place on the warm proofing rack to let it rise, I keep thinking about what she and Marcus both said. Politics is a tricky world to navigate, and maybe I shouldn't be so judgmental.

After all, like I said, I've got my flaws, too. Maybe I shouldn't judge Karl for something so small when he's trying his best amidst a storm of uncertainty.

I realize that maybe I've been too quick to judge, too hasty in my assumptions. Karl may not be volunteering for purely selfless reasons, but that doesn’t negate the positive changes he's made in his personal and professional life.

With a newfound determination, I make up my mind. Once the loaves are all on the proofing rack, I turn to Elsie, wiping my flour-dusted hands off on my apron.

“You know what?” I say as I lift my apron off over my head and hang it back on the hook. “I think I'd like to volunteer a little, too. Give back to the community.”

Elsie grins. “That's the spirit, Abby.”

And so, with that, I grab my baseball hat, sunglasses, and blue surgical mask off of the table by the front door and step out into the morning sunlight.

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