Babysitting The Amnesiac Lycan King

King Novel 52

Chapter 52

Chapter 52

I swear to the fucking moon, if one more thing goes wrong today, I'm snapping and taking someone with me.

I'm running late. The bus smelled like sweat and disappointment. And my shoes are completely soaked from stepping into a goddamn puddle that the universe so graciously placed right outside the building. So now, I'm squelching down the hallway like a drowned sewer rat, trying to pretend I belong here.

This place is sleek-glass walls, marble floors, all cold professionalism with a hint of "if you breathe wrong, you're fired. My stomach is twisting, but I ignore it. This is what I wanted. A fresh start. A job. A real chance to claw my way out of the Omega gutter everyone loves to shove me in.

I adjust my blazer, take a deep breath, and push into the lobby.

And immediately get side-eyed by the receptionist, a blonde with perfect hair and the kind of nails that could stab a man. Her gaze drags down my outfit, lingering on my wet shoes. Yeah, yeah, judge me all you want, lady.

"Uh, hi,” I say, trying to sound professional and not like I just got baptized by the city streets. "I have an interview today for the journalist position."

She blinks slowly, like I just told her I eat babies for breakfast. Then she sighs, picks up the phone, and presses a button. Yeah. The last one just arrived."

Wow. Love that enthusiasm.

A moment later, I hear footsteps approaching, and then-"Oh my goddess, are you the new girl?"

A whirlwind of color and energy barrels toward me. The woman has bright pink glasses, a floral blouse, and the kind of grin that says she thrives on chaos.

“Uh..."

"I knew it!" She practically bounces on her heels. "I'm Zoe. I work in Lifestyle, which means I mostly write about pack gossip and why everyone secretly hates each other. But you? You're here for real news, right? Political scandals, exposés, blood and betrayal?" She gasps dramatically. "Are you planning to take down the Alpha Council?"

What the fuck?

“I..... just want a job," I say carefully.

Zoe waves me off. "Ugh, boring. But fine. You're new, which means you need the lay of the land. First rule: Watch your back. This place is basically a wolf den, and not the fun kind. People will step on your throat for a story-sometimes literally. Second rule: The coffee machine is cursed. No one knows why, but if you drink from it, you'll get the shits."

I blink. "Noted."

"And lastly"-her voice drops conspiratorially-"our boss? Total hardass. No one has ever pleased him. Ever. I think he feeds off disappointment."

Great. Just what I need. Another asshole with a power complex.

Before I can ask more, the receptionist-who I swear is still judging my shoes- looks up. "Taryn Sinclair?"

My stomach flips.

"Boss wants to see you now."

Fuck. Okay. Time to get my shit together. I shoot Zoe a quick glance, and she wiggles her finge a mock prayer. Not

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05:55 Mon, 24 Mar COA

Chapter 52

comforting, Zor.

*92%8

I step into the hallway, my pulse kicking up, my mind racing through every possible scenario. Maybe he'll be old. Some wrinkly, cranky editor who's seen too much and expects too little. Maybe he won't even look up from his papers. Maybe

I step into the office.

And freeze.

It's him.

motherfucking neighbor from

desk, arms crossed, eyes

three seconds, neither of us

Then-

have got to be

I hate coffee.

drinking it-I practically survive on that bitter, liquid caffeine. But making

is supposed to be idiot-proof, but it's currently hissing at me like I've personally offended it ancestors. I push a few buttons, praying to whatever higher

tray?" I mutter under my breath, searching the

against the doorframe, watching me with amused curiosity. He looks like he's barely survived a hundred all-nighters and maybe

it that obvious?"

trick is not fighting it. This machine feeds on desperation." He plucks a piece of the contraption from under the counter, slides it

gape at it. "Traitor."

hellhole. I'm Max, investigative reporter and office caffeine

cup and

"Nah, I live off nicotine and

badge, and his lips twitch.

of foreboding slides down my spine.

who you pissed off

under his management? Brutal.”

that, my day

exactly who

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Chapter 52

boss. The human equivalent of a locked file

on cue, my work email dings. I glance at

Beckett: Report to my office.

Fuck my life.

feels like

a shield and knock on the

"Enter."

Liam is exactly where I left him last time-behind that massive desk, exuding power and disapproval. He's scanning

my arrival the second I stepped

he

"For what?"

finally looks up.

"Glad to see you're

file across the desk. "Your first assignment. An exclusive interview with a high-ranking werewolf official.

the file, flipping it open. My stomach twists. This is huge. Way bigger than

"You're serious?"

I just like wasting

scan the details. The official is someone from

mutter,

"Sinclair."

I stop.

in his chair, watching me with

embarrass the company."

urge to

hour later, I'm pacing in front of the mirror in the office

interview questions

stance on

plan to address rogue attacks in the

"God, I sound like

"I'd have to agree."

is leaning against the doorway

teleported there.