Babysitting The Amnesiac Lycan King

Chapter 76

"Get over it"

My voice barely scrapes past my lips, hoarse and bitter. It sounds weak, even to

me,

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1 drag a hand down my face, my skin raw from wiping at the tears I refuse to acknowledge. My throat is thick, my stomach twisted into a knot so tight I feel like I might throw up.

I hate this.

I hate that I can still feel him—his touch lingering on my skin like a fucking, brand, I hate that my body still craves him, even After he walked away. Even after he proved, yet again, that I'm just a goddamn idiot when it comes to him.

Fuck him. Fuck his lips, his hands, his scent that's still clinging to my clothes, I shove the thought down, forcing myself to focus on what actually matters,

The documents.

They're spread out in front of me on the floor, edges curling, ink faded in some spots from age. I scan over the words, trying to push through the haze in my head.

Names. Dates. Transactions. Reports.

I trace my fingers over the text, my mind sluggish as it tries to put the pieces together. But my focus is shit.

All I see is my own last name, scrawled across an ancient Lycan royal record like it belongs there.

But it doesn't.

My family has never been tied to the royal house. At least, not that I've ever known.

A sharp, cold weight settles in my chest as my eyes move down the page.

Then I see his name.

My brother.

The inked letters feel like a slap to the face, knocking the air right out of my lungs.

His name is buried in a document tracking border activity.

I skim further.

A date,

My stomach drops.

It's the same fucking day I lost him.

My pulse hammers in my ears, drowning out the silence of the room. I clutch the paper tighter, my knuckles white.

What the hell does this mean?

My brain stumbles through the implications, but none of it makes sense. None of it fits.

And the worst part?

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Chapter 76

It feels familiar. Like I've seen this puzzle before but never had the right pieces.

A sick feeling coils in my gut.

I'm missing something.

I don't know what.

Not yet.

But something tells me I'm running out of time.

I inhale sharply through my nose, forcing the panic down. I need answers, and I need them now.

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My phone is on the bed, the screen cracked from one of the many times I've dropped it. I snatch it up and scroll through my contacts, my thumb hesitating over a name before I press call.

Liam picks up on the second ring.

"Sinclair," he greets, his voice clipped, like he's already annoyed and I haven't even said anything yet.

Charming as always.

"Hey, Calloway," I mutter, shifting on the floor. "I need a favor."

There's a brief pause, then a sigh. "Of course you do. What is it?"

I roll my eyes at his tone but ignore it. "I need you to dig into something for me. Family registries, royal records-anyone with ties to the Imperial Court from before the coup."

Liam doesn't respond right away, which means he's already debating whether or not to waste his time on this.

"Please," I add, though it tastes like vinegar in my mouth.

"Yeah, yeah," he mutters. "I'll see what I can find."

Relief loosens my shoulders. "Thanks, Liam."

"Don't thank me yet," he says flatly. "I haven't found shit."

Then he hangs up.

I stare at my phone for a second before shaking my head. Asshole. But at least he's a useful one.

Before I can set my phone down, another call flashes across the screen.

Kallias.

1 blink.

What the fuck?

I hesitate for half a second before answering. "Hello?"

There's a beat of silence, then, "Hey."

His voice is familiar, but there's something off about it. Something hesitant.

I frown. "What's up?"

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Chapter 76

says. "Just wanted to hear

My stomach tightens.

don't know what I expected, but

up,

exhales, a rough, barely-there sound. "Don't mind it," he says.

working on stopping it."

chest-surprise,

know what to

I don't

stretches between us until

the call

my ear, staring at the screen like it might give me some kind

and lean back against the edge of the bed,

world feels heavier

the first time in a

completely, utterly

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still sprawled around me. My chest is tight, my thoughts tangled. I

him. Try not to think about the weight of his hand on my skin, the way his voice curled around my name like it belonged to him.

It doesn't work.

memory slithers in,

I shove it down.

loud bang makes me jolt up. My door flies open like it owes someone money, and then there's Zoe-her arms stacked with dresses, a piece of bread jammed between her teeth, eyes wide and full of untamed

scramble, sweeping the stolen documents off the floor in a panic, shoving

parent.

"You," she says through a mouthful of bread, pointing at me

"The hell I

onto my bed. The hangers clatter against each other.

sharply, rubbing my temples. “Zoe, I'm not in the mood for some-"I motion vaguely at the dresses, at

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Chapter 76

expression. "-whatever the

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I don't, you'll

and I refuse to let that

conspiracy theorist." "Taryn." Zoe puts her

Talk on how to stop being at pathetic, emotionally-wrecked dumbass. "You need to clear your head. And what better way to

my eyes.

She grins, all teeth.

tells me I

knew I wouldn't

second we step inside, the air changes-charged, thick with sweat and adrenaline. It smells like leather, metal,

place feels like a

but it's almost drowned out by the sounds of fists slamming into flesh, grunts of pain, the sharp whistles of

a goddamn underground fight

slowly turn

She smiles innocently.

glare. "You dragged me to

she corrects. "Not illegal.

stare at her. Then the ring. Then

the fuck is wrong with

dismissive hand. "You need to let

and I figured what better way

voice

to kill you

I whip around.

next to the ring,

ever-is Jacob Wyatt.

I blink. Hard.

back to Zoe. "You planned this?

Zoe shrugs. "Guilty"

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my hands up. "What the actual

casually, like he

pause. Slowly turn back to him.

Jacob smirks. "Fighting."

"For what?"

doesn't answer. He just looks at me. And

And

way

stomach drop.

sinking feeling crawls up my

is fighting anyone or

He doesn't reply.

Just smiles.

I hear

the thick

and gentlemen, the match you've

erupts. The crowd

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Two

And then, without warning, they brutalize

It's not a sport.

It's war.

spatters against the mat. The English guy lands

swear I feel it. The Italian retaliates, grabbing

and slamming him

My stomach churns.

a normal fight.

I hiss. "I

she urges, grabbing my arm. "Just...

don't fucking trust

with a knockout. The Italian guy doesn't

The crowd goes wild.

then the announcer's voice

a challenger unlike

The lights cut out.

darker, something that

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Chapter 76

opposite side

entire body goes

Because he steps out.

black, hood shadowing his

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he is. Not really.

media isn't allowed to

forbids it.