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 arm away, but

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Chapter 23

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

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

for a second, and

wasn't a ritual," he says, his

sharp, and

eyes from the crowd. Whispers ripple through the room as people realize the Alpha's son is arguing

be good

his eyes darting to Seraphina, who's already moving

let it go. His hand darts out, grabbing

"What-?"

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

to wrench my arm

I stumble slightly when he finally lets go. The balcony is quiet, far enough from the ballroom that the

the hell is wrong with you?" I snap, rounding

says simply, his voice strained. "You're

at him, dumbfounded. "That's not my

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

step back, suddenly hyperaware

is no 'us,' Kallias," I inists, my voice cold. I'm fucking tired of doing this all over again. It just doesn't

seem to hit him harder than I expected, and for a moment, he just stands there, his hands clenching and unclenching at his

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

over to me, his eyes darkening and my pulse hasten twice its

digging in just enough to make my skin sting. His eyes are wild, tinged

words hammered into my skull. "You've always been

free, but his hold only

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Chapter 23

might explode.

I call, low and steady, though every nerve in my body is screaming at me to knee him in the groin.

leans in 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 you think we forgot? My family even

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

rigid under his hands. The

doesn't miss a beat, taking my silence as some kind of

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

up, white-hot and unrelenting. My palm connects with his face before I even realize what I'm doing. The sharp crack echoes in the cool night air, and Kallias staggers

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?

this," I snap, shaking with barely-- contained fury. "You don't get

a shaky step back, my chest heaving as the words