Babysitting The Amnesiac Lycan King

King Novel 23

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Chapter 23

Chapter 23

The air is buzzing with energy as the Mating Pall finally kicks off. This shit is barely starting and I'm already exhausted. The hall is dripping with elegance- golden chandeliers throwing a warm glow over the sea of expensive dresses, silk ties, and overly polished smiles

It clearly differs from my simple black dress and apron that scream. Omega on fucking duty.

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1 dodge a group of giggling she wolves, balancing a tray of champagne flutes as I walk through the crowd. My feet ache from running around all day, and my patience is thinner than the fake smiles plastered on Seraphina's face.

"Lea" I call at one of the Omegas stationed by the dessert table. "Can you fix the arrangement over there? The guests-* She cuts me off with a sharp laugh. "Seraphina didn't say anything about fixing it, so no, thanks."

I blink at her, momentarily stunned by the audacity. Im not asking. I'm telling you"

"And I'm telling you," she snaps back, dripping with smugness, that I don't take orders from you. You're not Seraphina. you're not the leader of the planning team anymore"

Of course. Because why would they bother respecting me when Seraphina's shadow is always looming over everything I try to do? Fucking actual bitch.

I grit my teeth, resisting the urge to chuck the tray at her head. "Fine. Leave it then. When the head maid finds out-

The mention of the head maid makes her flinch, but she recovers quickly, shrugging as if she doesn't care. I suppress a sigh and move on, but something nags at the back of my mind.

Where is the head maid?

The thought sticks with me as I make my way toward the ballroom entrance, scanning the crowd. My eyes catch on Kallias and Seraphina near the dance floor. She's clinging to his arm almost like a leech, her laugh loud and fake enough to make me cringe.

Then, Kallias looks up.

His eyes lock on me, and for a second, I swear the entire room goes quiet.

"Taryn." He mutters my name and starts walking toward me, shrugging off Seraphina's grip. Oh no.

She scowls, clearly unamused, but doesn't follow him.

I don't have time for this. I turn on my heel, ready to disappear into the kitchen, but his hand closes around my wrist before I take two steps. Goddamnit.

"Taryn, wait." His voice is soft, but his grip is firm.

I glance at him, my heart sinking at the look on his face. Concern, guilt, and something else I don't care enough to name.

"Kallias," I say, keeping my tone as neutral as possible. "What do you want?"

"You disappeared," he says, his voice low. "After the infirmary-I didn't see you. Are you... okay?"

My chest tightens with annoyance. Now he cares?

say curtly, trying to pull my

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Chapter 23

jaw clenches, and there's venom in his tone. "That rogue. Enoch. He's been trying

"Take me away from you? Kallias, I'm not yours. I never was. You rejected me,

falters for a second, and I take

wasn't a ritual," he says, his

official. I accepetd your rejection without another word." My voice is sharp, and for a moment, I feel a

between us, and I can feel all the curious eyes from the crowd. Whispers ripple through the room as people realize the Alpha's son is arguing with

be good for the

his eyes darting to Seraphina, who's already moving to distract the delegates looking at him. She's

go. His hand darts out, grabbing my arm again. “Come

"What-?"

the crowd, ignoring the stares and whispers as he drags me toward

arm free.

cool night air hits me as we step outside, and I stumble slightly when he finally lets go. The balcony is quiet, far enough from the ballroom that the music

hell is wrong with

simply, his voice

at him, dumbfounded. "That's not my

rogue come

hyperaware of how close we

inists, my voice cold. I'm fucking tired of doing this all

stands

the sky darkens, and a cold wind sweeps through the balcony. I shiver, but I don't move.

tru." Kallias walks over to me, his eyes darkening and

make my skin sting. His eyes

my skull. "You've always been mine. No one-not even that bastard Enoch-is going to take you away. Do you

my shoulders, trying to break free, but his hold only tightens. My pulse is pounding so hard it feels like

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Chapter 23

might explode.

low and steady, though every nerve in my body is screaming at me to knee him in the groin. I honestly would if he's going to continue doing

closer, his breath hot against my face. "You owe me. You owe this pack. My father took you in when no one else would, Taryn. Do

was it. His words ignited the fire I have long buried to embers-stealing the air from my lungs. My

body going rigid under his hands. The

hitting me so hard I nearly stumble. Kallias doesn't miss a beat, taking my silence as some kind

coaxing now. "You

palm connects with his face before I even realize what I'm doing. The sharp crack echoes in the cool night air, and

thin line of blood trickling down his chin. He wipes it away with the back of his hand, smirking as if the slap

What the fuck?

get to do this," I snap, shaking with barely-- contained fury. "You don't get to act like you care now. Not

step back, my chest heaving as the words spill out as a