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?

I say curtly, trying to pull my arm

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Chapter 23

clenches, and there's venom in his tone.

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

a second, and I take the opportunity to pull

ritual," he says, his voice

official. I accepetd your rejection without another word." My voice is sharp,

air between us, and I can feel all the curious eyes from the crowd. Whispers ripple through the room as

won't be good for the

glances over his shoulder, his eyes darting to Seraphina, who's already moving to distract the delegates looking at him. She's good at this-keeping up

doesn't let it go. His hand darts out,

"What-?"

pulls me through the crowd, ignoring the

trying to wrench my arm free. "You're making a

go. The balcony is quiet, far enough from the ballroom that the music is

hell is wrong with

his voice strained. "You're what's

him, dumbfounded. "That's not

come between us!" His voice

hyperaware of how close we

is no 'us,' Kallias," I inists, my voice cold. I'm fucking tired of doing this all

I expected, and for a moment, he just stands there, his

darkens, and a cold wind sweeps through the balcony. I shiver, but I

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

his fingers digging in just enough to make my skin sting. His eyes are wild, tinged with desperation that borders on madness. Or

shaking me slightly as if I need the words hammered into my skull. "You've always been mine. No one-not even that bastard Enoch-is

free, but his hold only tightens. My pulse is pounding so hard

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Chapter 23

might explode.

and steady, though every nerve in my body is screaming at me to knee

against my face. "You owe me. You owe this pack. My father took you in when no one else

His words ignited the fire I have long buried to embers-stealing the air

going rigid under his hands.

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

he says, his tone softening, almost coaxing now. "You owe us

realize what I'm doing. The sharp crack echoes in the cool night air, and Kallias staggers back, his hand flying to

between us. His lip is split, a thin line of blood trickling down his chin. He wipes it away

What the fuck?

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

a shaky step back, my chest heaving as the words