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

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

weight from foot

should've said something," she blurts

That was... not what

were. Or at least-I knew you hadn't just run away. I saw you being taken, and I didn't say

bitter laugh escapes me. "That's what this was about? Your fucking

to mine, and for the first time, I

selfish,” she admits. "And I-" She

anything. I simply... stare at

I'm supposed to

should hate her. And I

I also don't have the energy to

a hand down my face.

second that means I want anything

she was expecting that. "Fair

on my heel and walk

carefully. I don't say anything, just nod toward the hallway. "Come on." We make it to the infirmary without another interruption, and the moment we step inside, Dr. Lisa is

takes one look at me and sighs. "Taryn, I swear, if you keep

fine," I say

for me to sit while she

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Chapter 48

no longer the shredded mess it used

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, watching him

Silence.

remains blank, his body

but her eyes narrow slightly. She

And so do L

The silence stretches.

of its own, pressing against my

of something unseen but

the

I ask

Enoch just sits

swear, I can hear the slow tick of the infirmary's shitty clock over the sound

His expression is unreadable-stone-cold, carefully crafted. But his fingers twitch slightly on

Then, finally-

"No."

word. Quiet, but

relief loosening

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

her breath, already dismissing it as nothing. And

Not for me, though.

about

won't meet

He's lying.

how I 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

' himself just a

cost him

Lisa gives us some half-assed instructions and waves

in her day. I barely

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Chapter 48

too full of

step out of the infirmary, the door

empty. It's just us.

say anything. Neither do

warning. I grab his wrist. "Come with

for an

He follows. No hesitation.

we don't talk. I'm too wrapped up