Babysitting The Amnesiac Lycan King

King Novel 38

10:33 Fri, 21 Mar

Chapter 38

Chapter 38

I should not be here.

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I don't mean to eavesdrop, but when the Alpha and Gamma are going at it like a couple about to sign divorce papers, I'd be stupid not to listen. Especially when I hear a name that shouldn't be spoken so freely.

Enoch.

The door is cracked open. Just enough for me to hear everything.

"This is insanity," Gamma Abel snaps, voice sharp like a blade against stone. "You'd surrender him for a fucking bounty? Have you lost your damn mind?"

"The bounty on his head could wipe out our debts. Do you know what that means? No more groveling for trade deals. No more rationing supplies. Our pack is bleeding, and this is our salvation."

I clamp a hand over my mouth. My stomach churns as the reality sinks in. They're talking about Enoch like he's a fucking lottery ticket. Like he's not a living, breathing person who just barely survived whatever hell landed him in our territory.

A cold weight drops in my stomach, and suddenly, the air in this hallway feels suffocating.

They want to turn him in.

Abel isn't convinced. "And what do you think the Imperial Family will do? Welcome him back with open arms? You think this doesn't reek of a setup? The rightful Lycan King disappears in an 'accident,' and no one even attempts to search for

his body? That's not an accident, Alpha. That's an assassination."

A slow, nauseating dread slithers up my spine. Enoch's arrival wasn't an accident.

Of course, it wasn't.

I should leave. I should turn around, pretend I never heard any of this. But my feet won't fucking move.

"Bullshit, a carriage accident is a carriage accident." the Alpha growls. "I don't care about conspiracies. I care about this pack. And I care about getting rid of that man before someone realizes we've been harboring him."

"A carriage accident where no one looked for the missing heir?" Abel snaps. "Where the first pack expected to launch a search didn't lift a damn finger? The Imperial Pack isn't stupid, and neither am I. Someone wanted him dead."

I bite my lip so hard I taste blood. He's right.

The whole situation never made sense to me either. If Enoch was so important, why didn't anyone try harder to find him? Why was it so easy for me to stumble upon him, half-dead and memory-wiped, like he'd been conveniently erased from existence?

I shift my weight, and my elbow grazes something cold and smooth. I don't even get a chance to react before-

Crash.

The vase shatters at my feet.

Shit. Shit, shit, shit.

Footsteps inside stop.

I bolt before my dumbass curiosity gets me killed. But I don't make it far before someone steps into my path.

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Fri, 21 Mar

Chapter 38

Seraphina

Oh, for fuck's sake.

She's just reached the top of the stairs, her brows furrowing when she sees me. "What the hell are you doing-"

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I don't let her finish. My hand shoots out, clamping over her mouth as I yank her into the nearest shadowed alcove. She thrashes in protest, nails digging into my arm, but I tighten my grip, silently begging her to shut the fuck up. If she screams my name, we're both screwed.

Seraphina thrashes immediately, heels clicking against the marble as she fights to break free. "Mmmph!"

“Shut up.” I hiss into her ear. "Unless you want Abel to catch both of us and explain why we're eavesdropping on the Alpha discussing treason.*

That shuts her up. Mostly.

I press my back against the wall, muscles locking tight as Gamma Abel stops near the door. He scans the hallway, his gaze briefly sweeping over our hiding spot. For a second, I swear he's going to see us. My pulse thrashes against my ribs, my breath caught somewhere between my throat and my lungs.

The Gamma's gaze lingers on the broken vase before he exhales sharply and turns back inside. The door doesn't close all the way, leaving the conversation wide open.

I exhale. Fuck, that was so close.

Seraphina exhales louder, and I glare at her. "Would you-

reason for dragging me," she hisses,

you ever shut

the shin, the argument inside flares back

don't know what you're doing, Alpha," Gamma Abel

frustration. "The Imperial Family already played a role in his downfall

"They can't touch us. Their precious Alpha

it out like

know he killed

My blood runs cold.

Killed.

my ears. Enoch... Enoch really did

know the Imperial Pack won't

breath catches in my

me,

of my face.

says,

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10:34 Fri, 21 Mar

Chapter 38

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finally risk a glance at Seraphina. Her expression is unreadable for exactly two

realization.

back to me

And something

Disgust.

"You," she mouths.

don't move.

there is nothing-nothing-I can say right now that

better.

I think I'm just realizing, for the first

don't know Enoch

***

in a thick, uneasy atmosphere that

before a

are packed, bodies shifting uncomfortably as they try to make sense of what the hell is

himself. That's what the Gamma is

standing on the raised

dominance. The murmurs start slow, then roll through the crowd like wildfire,

not? I want to call someone on stage for today's announcement." His eyes drops on Enoch

partner, Enoch. Come on up." He

the wolves who had been

look like they want to

hot from across the way, sharp enough that I can practically feel it

me, those dark forest eyes searching my face as if asking

My throat tightens.

Alpha is playing at, but my

nod. "Go," I murmur.

Enoch moves.

the Alpha's entire demeanor changes. His spine stiffens, his hands clasp behind his back, and he barely tries to

had nearly broken his son in half just a few days ago. But I get it. He sees the opportunity. If Enoch ever remembers who he is, being on his good side

hate that it makes

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Chapter 38

Alpha's voice booms, drowning out the

the respect he deserves." He pauses, "And the

for his mate,

Silence.

come, thick with

I freeze.

hell does the Alpha know that? Enoch

he's trying to understand, but he doesn't look particularly concerned. I, on the other hand, am on the verge of throwing

them will answer to me,"

to know what's happening. People are trying to rationalize it. Others are already finding loopholes. But mostly, they're just relieved, because none of them wanted

he did

Speaking of-

is still

pretend I don't notice the way the omegas carefully avoid me. They don't sneer. They don't

be relieved, but it's unsettling. The silence of it. The isolation. All of

a hallway table when I spot

into a brace, his face

sense considering his father left him to die just

point. And, well, considering my so-called boyfriend was the one

slow my steps.

his eyes flicker with something I can't

you..." I swallow, "Are you

can't believe I just asked

settling on my neck where the Alpha's

he asks, voice

we both answer