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.

my head.

eventually, he steps away, though not far enough that he couldn't intervene in

from foot to foot.

should've said something," she blurts out. "When you went

blink at her. That was... not what

hadn't just run away. I saw you being taken, and I didn't say anything." Her hands

sharp, bitter laugh escapes me. "That's what this was about?

and for the first time, I see

she admits. "And

I don't say anything. I simply... stare at her,

hell I'm supposed

should hate her. And

have the energy to carry

down my face. "Fine. Apology accepted. But

means I want anything to

she was expecting that.

heel and walk away without

don't say anything, just nod toward the hallway. "Come on." We make it to the infirmary without another interruption,

swear, if

fine," I

she gestures for me to sit while she

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Chapter 48

in places, but no longer the

Lisa hums in approval. "Looks better

eyes slide to Enoch.

He stiffens

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now. Which means, by all logic, your memories should be back." She pauses,

Silence.

remains blank, his

push, but her eyes narrow slightly. She

And so do L

The silence stretches.

thick. Unrelenting. A presence of its own, pressing against my chest with

something unseen but deeply.

the air like

I ask again to

Enoch just

the slow tick of

But his fingers twitch slightly on his knee, the only sign of

Then, finally-

"No."

single fucking word. Quiet, but

like relief loosening her features. "That's...

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

under her breath, already dismissing it as nothing. And just like

Not for me, though.

about this feels...

won't meet

He's lying.

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 swallowed, like forcing

' himself just a

cost him

us some half-assed instructions and waves us off, already

in her day. I barely

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Chapter 48

too full

out of the infirmary, the door clicking shot behind us. The hallway

empty. It's just us.

anything. Neither do

without warning. I grab

for an answer. I

He follows. No hesitation.

border is long, but we don't talk.