Chasing His Kickass Luna Back

Chapter 0229

Abby

The stage lights are blinding, but I try to focus on the announcer standing across from me. His voice

reverberates through the microphone as he begins his script.

“Ladies and Gentlemen… Welcome to the annual Alpha party cooking competition! I’m your host,

Heinrich Williams, and today I’m proud to announce…”

One by one, the contestants and judges are introduced. Their faces are projected onto giant screens

that hang above us, and with each announcement, the audience cheers and applauds excitedly. The

announcer then asks each person a couple of questions, giving them time to promote themselves

before the show begins.

As I’m waiting for my turn, though, all I can feel is crippling, soul-crushing fear. How do I look? How will

the audience respond? What will I say when it’s my turn to talk? I wasn’t expecting all of this, and all I

can think is that maybe if I had showed up on time this morning, maybe I wouldn’t be feeling so

unprepared.

But all the while, Karl stands beside me, steady as a rock. When I glance over at him, I catch his brown

eyes glinting in the light of the stage lights, and something about it is grounding.

In an odd way, I’m almost glad to have him here. I thought that it would be a disaster not to have John

by my side, but this feels like a happy accident. My wolf roils inside of me at his presence, attracted to

his scent and closeness as if he’s a lifeline in a stormy sea.

“And now,” the announcer booms, pulling me back to reality, “a chef who captured your hearts with her

interview yesterday. With her unconventional staff and eloquent words about inclusivity in the culinary

world—please give a warm welcome to Abby!”

Suddenly, the crowd erupts into cheers, louder and more excitedly than I could have ever imagined.

I blink in surprise.

Signs, actual signs with my name on them, being held up by people in the audience. The word ‘Abby’ is

written in colorful letters, hearts dotting the ‘i’ in phrases like “Go Abby!” and “Team Abby”.

I feel Karl nudge my arm gently, a signal for me to step forward. My shoes click against the stage floor

as I move stiffly toward the microphone, my heart still racing but now in a different way than before.

Is it true? Do people… really like me?

“Welcome, Abby,” the announcer says with a wide grin as I approach, outstretching his arm. “Say a few

words for your fans.”

As I lean in, ready to speak, my eyes drift across the stage and land on Daniel. He’s stationed a few NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.

yards from me, and I can see the disdain etched into his features, his lips curling into a sneer.

For a fleeting second, I wonder if I should adjust my speech to throw shade his way. It would be so

satisfying, to see his sneer turn into a pout, to see his shoulders slump in defeat as he gets called out

publicly for his nasty comments.

But I can’t; that’s not me, and it’s definitely not why I’m here. Why stoop to her level?

I draw a deep breath and let it out slowly, steadying myself by gripping the mic tightly.

“Wow,” I breathe, my voice bouncing back at me from the echo in the room in a jarring way. There’s a

bit of mic feedback from standing too close, and the room falls silent. All eyes are on me. I clear my

throat, feeling my face get unbearably hot.

But Daniel and the judges aren’t the only ones here. I glance up, seeing the signs that my ‘fans’ are

holding up, the grins on their faces. Updated at Drаmanovels.com

I see Vanessa sitting with the other judges, a cool but supportive look in her eyes.

I see Karl standing by himself, hands in his pockets, nodding slowly at me.

And up ahead, I see a little girl.