Babysitting The Amnesiac Lycan King

King Novel 54

Chapter 54

Chapter 54

If I had a dime for every hate I get of this place, I'd have ten pennies. It's not much, but it sure as heck is making me question if this is the high-end journalist company they are talking about.

The office smells like burnt coffee, cheap printer ink, and the stale breath of disappointment. I've been sitting at this damn desk for hours-clicking, scrolling, refreshing-only to watch the same red letters flash across the screen like they're mocking me.

ACCESS DENIED.

I clench the mouse so hard the plastic casing groans under my grip.

"Try again, newbie."

I hit the login button as if it'll suddenly decide to work if I stare hard enough.

ACCESS DENIED.

"Fuck!" I slam my hand on the desk, making my pencil holder jump.

A couple of heads snap up from across the bullpen, but no one says anything. Half of them probably feel the same way I do -chained to this corporate hellhole, chasing stories they'll never get to print. The other half are too busy gossiping or jerking off behind their monitors to give a shit.

I lean back in my chair, glaring at the screen like it personally insulted my entire bloodline.

This was supposed to be my shot. My chance to finally do something-to be more than just the pack's favorite punching bag or the pathetic little Omega everyone forgot about the second they turned their backs.

But here I am, three weeks into this job, and they've got me writing clickbait articles about the Top Ten Ways to Tell If Your Mate Is Cheating.

I didn't come here to play office Barbie.

I came here to find the truth.

About my parents.

About the night they died.

About why Gamma Abel always looked at me like he knew something he'd never fucking say.

My gaze flicks to the document code I scrawled on a crumpled sticky note beside my keyboard.

S-92A: 2006 Rogue Attacks - Confirmed Casualties

I found it buried in the archives last night-hidden under a dozen layers of bullshit titles and mislabeled files. The problem is, I'm not authorized to see it. Apparently, the truth about my own goddamn parents' deaths is on a need-to-know basis.

And according to this company? I don't need to fucking know.

I gnaw on the inside of my cheek, glancing around the office. The fluorescent

lights flicker overhead, buzzing like mosquitoes in my ears.

No one's paying attention.

I type the document code again.

1/5

Chapter 54

ACCESS DENIED.

I don't know why I keep expecting a different result.

Maybe because I'm not ready to admit I might actually have to ask for help.

My eyes drift toward the breakroom at the far end of the bullpen, where Zoe's obnoxious laugh carries through the glass walls like nails on a chalkboard. She's perched on the counter, legs crossed, sipping what has to be her tenth cup of coffee today while she gossips with one of the interns.

Zoe-my not-so-friendly, bubbly-assigned office bestie.

Her entire personality is built on two things: caffeine and juicy fucking secrets. Being 12 years in this shitty hellhole, she's also one of the few persons in this entire building who has access to the archives without needing clearance.

hating myself for

march toward the breakroom like I have any fucking

"Zoc."

me over the rim of her cup. "Oh my goddess, newbie. You're alive. I was starting to think you offed

swinging her legs. "What do

the intern, who's pretending not to eavesdrop but doing a

of it.

him a look. "Take your

eyes widen, but Zoe just grins

scuttles out without a

against the doorframe, crossing my

know how to access restricted archives, would

smile stretches wider, like a cat spotting

cup. "Look who's trying to stir up

just for

"Bullshit."

"It is."

"Bull. Shit."

my nose, hating how fucking transparent

clicking against the tile

affairs? Or over me like she's trying to

2/5

tilts, eyes

05:56 Mon, 24 Mar

Chapter 54

My pulse jumps.

face

"I'm not

knows the

I go rigid.

I heard that.

did try to

been too buried in trying not to

of self-pity-to keep track of

they're

If he's coming here...

but

reports," I mutter, eyes fixed on the

her. "Rogue

grin sharpens

such a

patience dangling by a thread. "Can

manicured nails against the counter, dragging out

be a bitch.

Finally, she smirks.

can... if you owe

course she

"What kind of one?"

flick

grin goes

Liam spill

I blink. "What?"

is cute and all, but

under all that broody

Oh for fuck's sake.

bridge of my

"Fine. Deal."

her hands like

3/5

+53)

Mon, 24 Mar

Chapter 54