Babysitting The Amnesiac Lycan King

King Novel 26

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

GAMMA ABEL

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I've seen a lot of strange things in my time as Gamma, but this... Watching Taryn, an Omega no less, handle a man who looks like he could break her anytime soon, like he's a damn puppy is definitely climbing my list.

The man-a rogue, no less-stands there towering over her, built like he was chiseled out of granite and probably twice as strong. Yet, one word from Taryn, and he's nodding along as if she's the Alpha here.

It's unsettling how much power she has over him.

"Stick with Gamma Abel," she says, poking a finger into his chest. "Don't wander off, don't do anything stupid, and for the love of the goddess, don't eat anything raw while you're out there."

I've seen men submit before-hell, it's my job to make sure they do when the Alpha dermands it-but this isn't submission. This is something else entirely.

And it's not just the obedience. It's the way he looks at her, like she hung the moon, the stars, and whatever other celestial bullshit you could throw into the mix. If Taryn ever snapped her fingers, I don't doubt this man would burn the world to ash just to keep her warm.

But I've learned not to dwell too long on things that don't make sense.

"We're moving out," I bark, pulling my focus away from the odd pair. "Eyes open. Mouths shut."

The warriors shuffle into formation, but not without the usual grumbling.

"Why's he here?" one of them mutters under his breath, but loud enough for the group to hear.

"He wasn't even accepted by the goddess on his ceremony," another adds.

I whip my head around, silencing them with a glare. "You got time to gossip, you've got time to scout the area. Move."

That shuts them up, though I catch a few sideways glances thrown in Enoch's direction.

I glance at Enoch, expecting him to react. A snarl, a glare, maybe even a fist to someone's jaw. But he doesn't. He's walking along, calm as ever, as if the whispers are static on a broken radio.

It's unnerving. A man like him should be dangerous, and yet he looks...detached. The guy has no emotions. None. Unless Taryn's involved, then he's practically feral.

And that's the part that scares me the most.

The forest is damp, the air thick with the scent of wet earth and decay, the thick canopy above barely letting in any sunlight.

We're deep in the area where we suspect the attack happened. The ground is littered with broken branches and churned-up mud.

I signal for the group to stop, and we spread out, combing through the area. It doesn't take long to find the remains.

Or rather, it doesn't take Enoch long to find them.

"What the fuck?" one of the warriors croaks.

I turn, and there's Enoch, standing there as if he's just found the world's most interesting artifact.

Only it's not an artifact.

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Chapter 26

It's the head maid's head.

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Her dead eyes stare back at us, frozen in terror, her blood-maned hair clinging to Enoch's fingers as he holds her head up by

starraforets

"Look," Enoch says, his voice disturbingly causal, like he's showing off a wildflower be picked.

One of the warriors pukes into the bushes. Another stumbles back, mattering something about needing a drink

"Enoch," I say, my voice tight. "Put it down"

He tilts his head, confused, but does as I say, lowering the head to the ground with the care of someone placing a precious

relic.

Kallias, of course, can't let the moment pass without making a scene.

"See?" he snaps, his glare fixed on Enoch. "I told you he's the one who killed her.

Who the hell else walks around holding heads like that?"

I step between them before this turns into another fistfight.

I growl at

shouldn't even be here!" Kallias spits. “He's a

my job to decide who's a danger, not yours,"

glares at me, his jaw tight, but

my throat and gesture for one of the warriors to wrap the head. "Bag it. We'll take it back

while I keep a close eye on Enoch. He doesn't look disturbed. Or curious. Or

scene unfold with that

air growing heavier

to me, his jaw clenched so tight I'm surprised

hell is he

"My decision stands. You don't have

he wants to argue but thinks better

on. The metallic scent lingers in the air, growing stronger as we approach

we find

up," I say, raising

Everyone freezes,

tracks are faint at first, barely noticeable in the

prints, impossibly large, dug deep into the earth. Deep claw marks rake across the bark of

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Chapter 26

one of the warriors

tracing the edge of a paw print with my fingers. The size

to make

a rogue," I mutter,

steps up beside me, his face

you think it is?"

I can answer, I glance at Enoch, who's standing off to the side,

expression unreadable.

do you think, Enoch?"

"You're asking

ignore him, my

the tracks with the same indifference

had all day.

"Powerful," he says simply.

snorts, crossing his arms. "Great.

shoot him a look,

move," I say, rising to

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these tracks, it's still out there. My gut tells

I'm starting to think we're not

***

decided to take a

sit in a

meat's gamey scent mingles with the damp earth, clinging to everything as a stubborn fog. It's the only warmth we've

Enoch is missing

did he wander off to now?" one of the warriors grumbles, ripping

eating the head maid's ghost," Kallias mutters under his breath,

my plate and head toward the cliffside where I spotted Enoch slipping away earlier. It's not unusual for him to disappear, but something about

casting a pale glow over his shirtless back. The scars are the first thing I notice-angry, jagged lines crisscrossing

seen enough punishment dealt out in my time to know

those.

down beside him, keeping my distance.

thinking?" I

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Chapter 26

look at me, his gaze fixed on the forest

go back," he says, his voice low,

"Back where?"

"To Taryn."

It's a dry, humorless

of nowhere, covered in blood, and all

to me, his expression blank but his eyes softening

"Yes."

shake my head, leaning back on my hands. "You've got

only by

his back, unable to ignore the scars any

those?" I ask. "Where'd they

shrugs, his shoulders moving

get

long pause, he speaks again.

caught me off guard. I turn to him, "Waiting

tightens, and he stares down at