Babysitting The Amnesiac Lycan King

King Novel 47

Chapter 47

Chapter 47

TARYN

Everything fucking hurts.

Like, everything.

93%

If I didn't already feel like death warmed over, Enoch carrying me as though I am some fragile damsel would've been my last straw. But honestly? I don't have the energy to argue.

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My body is a mess of bruises, my ribs feel like someone took a sledgehammer to them, and I'm pretty sure my ankle is just there for decoration at this point.

Still, I'm not entirely useless. I tighten my grip around his neck, ignoring the way my fingers tremble, and mutter, "You're bleeding."

Enoch doesn't answer. His jaw is locked so tight I swear I hear his teeth creak. His face is a storm cloud of fury, those crimson eyes burning as he scans our surroundings as if he's expecting an ambush at any second. He's probably right.

Behind us, Kallias moves like a shadow-silent, lethal, and honestly a little terrifying. He's quick with a knife, even quicker with his fists, and he doesn't hesitate when he slits a guard's throat so fast the guy doesn't even get the chance to scream.

I should probably be unnerved by that. But after everything? The only thing I feel is grim satisfaction.

The air shifts as we burst through the dungeon's exit, and-holy shit-fresh air.

It slams into me like a slap, crisp and cold and biting, and my lungs suck it in greedily. I didn't realize how much I missed the sky until now. The forest stretches ahead, bathed in silver moonlight, the trees swaying in the wind like they're whispering secrets.

We're free.

For now.

A shiver wracks my body, but it's not from the cold. Enoch must notice because his arms tighten around me, his warmth bleeding into my frozen skin. His scent is everywhere-woodsmoke and something wild, something him. It's grounding. Comforting in a way I don't want to unpack right now.

"Almost... safe," he murmurs, his voice rough and barely strung together. He's getting better with words, but it's clear speaking in full sentences still takes effort.

Kallias pauses up ahead, scanning the path. "Coast is clear," he mutters, but he doesn't relax. None of us do.

My heartbeat pounds in my ears as Enoch strides forward, hie moves with a purpose yet still careful, treating me as if I might shatter if he's not gentle. I hate that. I hate feeling weak. But I bite my tongue because I know if I open my mouth right now, it's just going to be a whole lot of exhausted, delirious bitching.

Branches snap underfoot. Shadows shift between the trees. Every sound is a possible threat, every rustling leaf another reminder that we're not out of this yet. Then Enoch stops.

His entire body goes rigid, a low growl curling from his throat.

I feel it vibrate against my side, and I don't know what the hell he senses, but his grip on me tightens almost painfi breathing slows, controlled and dangerous, and when he finally speaks, his voice is nothing more than a low, deadly promise.

lis

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Chapter 47

"No more... running."

he says it. Though he's made a decision neither Kallias nor I get a

protect you" bullshit when I can barely keep my eyes open. But I swallow the words, because the look

He means it.

And I believe him.

and relieving. Because if there's one thing I've learned about

no one-is going

Earthy, like pine and smoke, with a trace of something darker underneath. Something that clings to my skin, sinking

Enoch.

arms crossed over his chest, head tipped forward in exhausted defeat. His dark hair falls messily over his forehead, like even in sleep, he's still bracing for

takes me a second to remember-being dragged back to the pack, Kallias standing there like a fucking statue while I bled out on the ground, Seraphina watching with that smug, self-satisfied expression. And then

1. me.

never thought I'd miss. The blankets are soft, wrapping

every nerve, and oh yeah.

adventure that was the past

turn my head-slowly, because my neck is apparently

Enoch.

his knees, watching me with a stare so intense it could

is dry as hell, but I manage to croak

like he's trying to process the insult. Then he exhales through his nose, and-oh my

maybe more of a huff. But

hair from my face. His fingers are rough, calloused, but he's so gentle it makes my breath hitch. Something about it-about him-makes my chest feel

ready to say something stupid to break the tension, but

this...

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Chapter 47

a whisper, but it

But there's a look in his eyes

It's going

And honestly?

think I'm okay

tight lodges itself in

shoots through my ribs, stopping me cold. My breath hisses between my teeth. Enoch's head snaps up instantly, sharp, predatory, eyes flicking over me like he's assessing

is rough, thick from sleep.

"No," I lie. Badly.

out on it, but his hands are already reaching, brushing the blanket aside, checking my

skates over my wrist where bruises bloom

muscle jumps in his jaw.

answer. I don't need to.

want

time,

swallow, looking away.

Wrong thing to say.

at him. There's nothing soft about his grip. It's not cruel, not meant to hurt, but firm. Unyielding. His eyes- those damn eyes-are molten, burning with

His voice is pure gravel, rasping over my

But something in me-the stupid, reckless, self-destructive part-wants to see what he'd do if I didn't stop him. If I just let him be exactly who I know he is

A King.

a shiver

must sense it, because his hold on my chin loosens,

just resting there. His thumb skims the edge of my

softer this time.

Safe.

A slow, bitter smile curls my lips.