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

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Chapter 23

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

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

grip falters for a second, and I take the

wasn't a ritual," he says, his voice

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

the crowd. Whispers ripple through the room as

be good for

his eyes darting to Seraphina, who's already moving to distract the delegates

darts out, grabbing my arm again. “Come

"What-?"

pulls me through the crowd, ignoring the stares

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

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

with you?" I snap, rounding

simply, his voice strained.

dumbfounded. "That's

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

back, suddenly hyperaware of

cold. I'm fucking tired of doing this all over again. It just

for a moment, he just stands there, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.

us, the sky darkens, and a cold wind sweeps through the

that's not tru." Kallias walks over to me, his eyes darkening

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

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

trying to break free, but his hold only tightens.

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Chapter 23

might explode.

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

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 buried

buried to embers-stealing

under his hands. The world tilts

nearly stumble. Kallias doesn't miss a beat,

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

My palm connects with his face before I even realize what I'm doing. The sharp

chin. He wipes it away

What the fuck?

blink them away furiously. "You don't get to do this," I snap, shaking with barely-- contained fury. "You

shaky step back, my chest heaving as the words