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?

fine," I say curtly, trying to pull my arm away, but he doesn't let

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Chapter 23

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

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

a second, and I take the opportunity to pull

says, his voice tight.

without another word." My voice is sharp, and for a moment, I feel a small flicker of satisfaction

can feel all the curious eyes from the crowd. Whispers

be good for the tabloids

darting to Seraphina, who's already moving to distract the delegates looking at

Kallias doesn't let it go. His hand darts out, grabbing my arm

"What-?"

I can protest, he pulls me through the crowd, ignoring the stares and

I hiss, trying to wrench my arm free. "You're making a scene."

we step outside, and I stumble slightly when he finally lets go. The balcony

with you?" I snap, rounding

voice strained. "You're what's wrong

him, dumbfounded. "That's

is when you're letting that rogue come between us!" His

step back, suddenly hyperaware of how

inists, my voice cold. I'm fucking tired of doing this all over again. It just doesn't register in

he just stands there, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. I

cold wind sweeps through the balcony. I

tru." Kallias walks over to me, his eyes darkening and my pulse hasten twice its

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

if I need the words hammered into my skull. "You've always been mine. No one-not even that bastard Enoch-is going to take you away. Do you

his hold only tightens. My pulse is pounding so hard it

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might explode.

call, low and steady, though every nerve in my body is screaming at me

against my face. "You owe me. You owe this pack. My father took you in when no one else would, Taryn. Do you think we forgot? My family even buried your rogue, dead brother's corpse like he mattered. We gave you a

His words ignited the fire I have long buried to embers-stealing the air from my lungs. My brother's

his hands. The world tilts for a second,

nearly stumble. Kallias doesn't miss a beat, taking my silence as some kind of

coaxing now. "You

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

His lip is split, a thin line of blood trickling down his chin. He wipes it away with the back of his hand, smirking as if the slap was some kind

What the fuck?

at the corners of my eyes, but I blink 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

falters, and I take a shaky step back, my chest heaving as the words