Babysitting The Amnesiac Lycan King

Chapter 68

Chapter 68

I'm going to throw up.

Not the cute kind, where you get a little queasy and recover with a sip of water. No, this is the full-blown, holy-shit-l-might- die kind of nausea that sits deep in your gut and reminds you that you might just be the dumbest bitch alive.

Because here I am, sitting in a car outside the Imperial Palace, wearing a fucking mask and a dress that costs more than my rent, about to walk straight into the lion's den.

Liam exhales sharply from the passenger seat. "You're thinking too hard."

1 glare at him. "And you're breathing too loud."

Zoe bounces in the back seat, practically vibrating with excitement. "Are you guys seeing this? It's like something out of a fucking fairytale."

A fairytale where the big bad wolf actually eats you, but sure.

The grand palace looms before us, all marble and gold, its high archways illuminated by chandeliers so massive they could crush a man if they fell. Beyond the entrance, masked figures glide through the open doors, the scent of expensive perfume and power thick in the night air.

I grip the hem of my dress, my pulse hammering.

This is it. My way in.

This is how I see him.

My fingers tighten around the edges of my mask as the driver pulls up to the entrance. A valet opens the door, and I step out into a world that doesn't belong to

me.

Masked guests sweep past, their laughter soft, their voices tinged with arrogance. Every inch of this place screams excess. Gilded staircases, crystal chandeliers dripping from the ceiling, men in tailored suits with sharp smiles, women in gowns that cling to their bodies like second skin.

I feel the stares before I hear the whispers.

"She doesn't belong here."

"Who is she?"

"Oh, look-it's her."

Her.

I don't have to look to know who that voice belongs to.

Lady Celeste fucking Vaelor.

I barely turn before she steps into my path, her lips curling in amusement. "Didn't realize they were letting in beggars tonight."

I smile sweetly. "Didn't realize royalty was so desperate for attention."

Celeste's expression flickers. Just for a second. Then she leans in, her heavily jeweled hand brushing my shoulder like I'm something she accidentally touched in a sewer. "You must be lost, darling," she purrs. "This isn't the kind of event where..... what do you call it? Rats are welcome."

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I tilt my head. "That's funny, because I was just about to say the same thing to you."

Zoe makes a choking sound beside me, barely containing her laughter. Liam mutters something under his breath, but I don't take my eyes off Celeste.

She's beautiful, in the way venomous things are-dripping in rubies and wealth, her blood–red gown scandalously fitted, her golden mask catching the glow of the chandeliers. Every inch of her screams privilege, power, and pure, unfiltered bitch.

But it's the way she smirks, the way her chin tilts in quiet amusement, that sets me on edge.

She's planning something.

realize it too late..

One second, I'm standing there, smug and victorious. The next, cold liquid splashes down my front.

I freeze.

Gasps echo around us, the music momentarily faltering.

The scent of wine-rich, expensive, staining-fills my nose. It drips down my dress, pooling at my feet.

Celeste blinks innocently. "Oops."

Oh, she's dead.

Before I can rip her apart in front of high society, a hand clamps around my wrist.

"Come with me. A low voice murmurs. I turn to see the same exact man that keep saving me against this girl. I'm honestly beginning to feel annoyed at him. Beta Jacob.

His grip is firm, unyielding, dragging me away before I can make a public murder

scene.

I yank against him, but he doesn't budge. "Let me go."

His jaw is tight. "Shut up and move."

He leads me through an empty corridor, away from the watchful eyes of the ballroom, until we reach a small room lit only by a dim lamp. A velvet box sits waiting on a table.

Jacob releases me and nods toward it. "Wear this."

1 frown. "What?"

He doesn't explain. Just crosses his arms, waiting.

With a glare, I step forward and lift the lid.

My breath catches.

Inside is the most breathtaking gown I have ever seen-a midnight-blue creation laced with silver thread, adorned with tiny shimmering stars that seem to glow under the light. The fabric is impossibly soft, impossibly perfect, impossibly... Imperial.

The moment my fingers graze the gown, a shiver runs down my spine.

Midnight blue. Silver threading. Celestial embroidery that seems to move under the light.

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dress-it's a fucking statement. A Royal Family exclusive. A

to something I've

life on the

between my fingers, the weight of it far heavier than the silk and thread should allow. I should rip it apart. Toss it

orders

Jacob, my throat tight. "Why

toward the door. "Get changed.

leaves without another

my fingers

this feels...

walking straight into

But it doesn't matter.

Because Enoch is here.

not leaving until

as I slide the dress over my body. The material slinks into place like a second skin, molding to my curves in a way

Goddamn it.

at myself

trap.

walking into it

*

ballroom is a predator's

the press of nobility and power suffocating in its extravagance. The women are elegant statues, draped in wealth, their eyes trained on the figure

Enoch.

against my ribs, the impact so sudden it nearly sends

stumbling.

like a goddamn phantom, taller,

tailored to perfection.

the

know

I feel it.

around him, like gravity itself bends in his

doesn't fucking look at

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Bastard.

my nose, willing my

my steps

A cat-and-mouse game.

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through the crowd, keeping just out

I'm already gone, slipping between silk

ghost in

A game of near-misses.

flicker of movement-my pulse spikes. I

Gone.

closer-my skin prickles. I glance

Empty air.

this invisible threads pulling tighter,

And then-

locks onto

catches. My lips curve into

if

The ballroom stills.

shift in the

don't have to

the moment. The moment when the Alpha King chooses his

gather, standing still, poised and

glance at Liam beside me. He leans in, his

tradition dictates you

Like hell I will.

mind catches up

into

shut up

and wait."

single beat of silence.

into a hum, spreading like

Omega-defying centuries of tradition.

heart pounds so hard I swear it's trying to

arm extends-palm up, wrist bent elegantly. I'm commanding him to dance with

gaze in

Including his.

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stretches. The

And then-

He moves.

the crowd as Enoch descends the steps, his long

through the space

is

I don't breathe.

don't move.

brush against mine, sending a sharp

veins.

pressing a

A brand. A warning.

then-he pulls me

moment our bodies align, the world tilts. Every step is effortless,

follow.

fingers are cold. It's the first

I've plunged my hand into

the burn

it's not

hand is tight, his

wears. The back of my hand

from where his lips brushed it, the phantom pressure branded into

bones.