Babysitting The Amnesiac Lycan King

King Novel 48

Chapter 48

Chapter 48

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I swear, if one more person looks at me like I'm a fucking wounded puppy, I'm throwing myself into the damn washtub.

The laundry room smells like damp fabric and cheap detergent, the kind that burns my nose if I inhale too hard. The pile of dirty clothes in front of me is a towering mess of sweat, musk, and poor life choices. I scrub at a shirt so aggressively that my knuckles sting against the washboard, the pain grounding me more than anything else has today.

The pity stares are unbearable. I can feel them drilling into my back, my arms, my still-bandaged hands. Whispered voices scrape at the edges of my patience.

"I heard she's the Omega that was kidnapped."

"She shouldn't even be working yet."

"Did you see her face? Looks like someone dragged her through hell."

They aren't wrong. I did go through hell. And apparently, I came back wearing a

big neon sign that says kick me while I'm down.

Whatever. I don't need their sympathy, and I sure as shit don't need their judgment.

I finish the last of the washing, wringing out a towel so hard I half expect it to snap. As soon as I hang it up, I'm out of there, peeling off the suffocating attention like an itchy sweater. My muscles ache, a dull reminder that I shouldn't be doing this much yet.

Dr. Lisa told me to check in whenever I could, and now seems as good a time as any before the other maids gets another bright idea to send me on some impossible chore.

By the time I reach my room, I'm already mentally preparing myself for the walk to the infirmary. But when I push the door open, I'm met with something unexpected-Enoch is standing near the window. He's not reading as he usually

does.

His book is abandoned on the table, his dark eyes already locked onto mine as if he knew I was coming. He steps forward, closing the distance between us, and without a single word, I know exactly what he's about to do.

"No," I deadpan, already exhausted.

His jaw tightens. Yes.

"No."

He lifts his chin slightly, the stubborn gleam in his gaze making it clear that I have about five seconds to either accept this or be bodily dragged there.

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Fine. Whatever. But you're not carrying me or some macho shit like that."

His lips twitch like he wants to smirk. I pretend not to notice.

As I move past him, I reach up and pat his head. "Good boy."

His brows shoot up, but I don't stick around to see his reaction. I'm already walking out the door, and to his credit, he follows without question.

The halls are their usual dreary self-gray stone, flickering torches, the occasional pair of judgmental eyes staring at us. Enoch's presence alone makes people uneasy. He walks with a slow, purposeful stride, a kind of predatory gra people instinctively step out of his way. Must be nice.

We round a corner, and that's when I see her.

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Chapter 48

Seraphina.

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She's leaning against the wall, arms crossed, her expression carefully neutral. But there's something in her eyes, something hesitant, like she actually has to work up the courage to talk to me.

Enoch doesn't hesitate-bis growl is low and immediate, vibrating through the hallway like a warning bell. He knows.

Seraphina stiffens but doesn't back away. "Can I talk to you?" she asks, her voice softer than usual. "Alone."

I glance at Enoch. His shoulders are tense, his body radiating barely restrained aggression. He looks as thugh he wants to rip her throat out, and honestly, I'd probably let him if I weren't so damn tired.

"It's fine," I say, waving him off. "Give us a minute."

He doesn't move.

tilt my head.

not far enough that he couldn't intervene in half

her weight from foot to foot.

something," she blurts out. "When you went

her. That was... not what

Or at least-I knew you hadn't just run away. I saw you being taken, and I didn't say anything." Her hands tighten

bitter laugh escapes me. "That's what this was

to mine, and for the first

she admits. "And

a second, I don't say anything. I simply...

hell I'm supposed to

hate her.

the

down my

I want

she

on my heel and walk away without another

just nod toward the hallway. "Come on." We make it

I swear, if

fine," I say

to sit while she

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Chapter 48

but no longer the

hums in approval. "Looks

eyes slide

He stiffens

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Lisa doesn't waver. "No visible wounds, but you're completely healed now. Which means, by all logic, your memories

Silence.

remains blank, his body

but her eyes narrow slightly. She

And so do L

The silence stretches.

its own, pressing against

unseen but deeply. profoundly

in the air like a

I ask again

Enoch just sits there,

can hear the slow tick of the infirmary's

expression is unreadable-stone-cold, carefully crafted. But his fingers twitch slightly on his knee, the only sign of life in

Then, finally-

"No."

fucking word.

exhales, something like relief loosening her features. "That's...

but then shakes her head, like she's trying to push away the doubt creeping in. "But it happens.

bullshit under her breath, already dismissing it as nothing.

Not for me, though.

something about

won't meet

He's lying.

know-I just do. Like an itch I can't scratch, buried deep beneath my skin. The way he' second too long before answering. The way his throat worked when he

' himself just a

cost him

us some half-assed instructions and waves us

thing in

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Chapter 48

head's too full

step out of the infirmary, the door clicking shot behind us.

empty. It's just us.

say anything.

grab his wrist. "Come with

an answer. I just start

He follows. No hesitation.

way to the border is long, but we don't talk. I'm too wrapped up in my