Babysitting The Amnesiac Lycan King

King Novel 23

92%0

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.

48

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

1/4

92%

Chapter 23

isn't it?" His jaw clenches, and there's venom in his tone. "That rogue. Enoch. He's

short, cutting him off. "Take me away from you? Kallias, I'm

falters for a second, and I take

ritual," he says, his

My voice is sharp, and for a moment, I feel a small flicker of

the curious eyes from the crowd. Whispers ripple through the room as people

good for

moving to distract the delegates looking at him. She's good at

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

"What-?"

can protest, he pulls me through the crowd, ignoring the stares and whispers as he drags me

wrench my arm free. "You're making a scene." He

go.

is wrong with you?" I snap,

says simply, his voice strained.

at him, dumbfounded. "That's not my

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

step back, suddenly hyperaware of

is no 'us,' Kallias," I inists, my voice cold. I'm fucking tired of doing this all over again. It just doesn't register in his head. "There hasn't been

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

sweeps through the balcony. I shiver,

to me, his eyes darkening and my pulse

grip tightens on my shoulders, his fingers digging in just enough to make my skin sting. His eyes

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

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

2/4

92%

Chapter 23

might explode.

every nerve in my body is screaming at me to knee him in the groin. I honestly would if

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

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

hands. The

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

almost coaxing now.

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

stunned silence between us. 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 of

What the fuck?

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.

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