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

wanted

My stomach tightens.

expected, but it sure as

my knees up, gripping the

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

working on stopping it."

mix of emotions swirls in my chest-surprise, confusion, maybe even

what to say

don't say

until he

then the

from my ear, staring at the screen like it might give

back against the edge of the

world feels heavier

the first time in a

feel completely,

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My chest is tight, my thoughts tangled. I should do something-keep digging, make another call, chase the truth until I bleed for it. But instead, I

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

It doesn't work.

memory slithers

I shove it down.

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

floor in a panic, shoving them under

parent.

completely unbothered. "You," she says through a mouthful of bread, pointing at me like I've personally offended her ancestors. "Are

"The

my bed. The hangers clatter against each other. "Because you

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

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Chapter 76

"-whatever the

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know," she says, too sweetly. "That's why I'm forcing you. Because if I don't,

theorist, and I refuse

feral conspiracy theorist." "Taryn." Zoe puts her hands on her hips, tilting her head like

at pathetic, emotionally-wrecked dumbass. "You need to clear your head. And what better way to do that than

narrow my eyes.

She grins, all teeth.

I won't like

I wouldn't

second we step inside, the air changes-charged, thick with sweat and adrenaline. It smells like leather, metal, and aggression. The overhead lights are dim, flashing erratically, casting jagged shadows across the concrete

entire place feels like a

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

goddamn

slowly turn

She smiles innocently.

"You dragged me to

fight ring," she corrects. "Not illegal.

the ring. Then back at

is wrong with

relax," she groans, waving a dismissive

figured

voice

you when she finds

I whip around.

next to the ring, arms crossed, expression as

ever-is Jacob Wyatt.

I blink. Hard.

back to Zoe. "You planned this? With

Zoe shrugs. "Guilty"

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Chapter 76

up.

says casually, like he

turn back to him. "Someone is

Jacob smirks. "Fighting."

"For what?"

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

And

something about the way his gaze

stomach drop.

feeling crawls up my spine. "Jacob,"

fighting anyone

He doesn't reply.

Just smiles.

I

announcer's voice, cutting through the thick

the match you've

The crowd

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around to the ring. Two fighters are already inside-one English,

And then, without warning,

It's not a sport.

It's war.

mat. The English guy lands a hook to the Italian's

I swear I feel it. The Italian

him into

My stomach churns.

a normal fight. This is

"I want

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

don't fucking

with a knockout. The Italian guy doesn't

The crowd goes wild.

announcer's voice booms

a challenger unlike any you've seen

The lights cut out.

music shifts-deeper, darker, something that

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Chapter 76

opposite side of the ring

entire body goes

Because he steps out.

black, hood shadowing

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he is. Not really. His face

took the throne. The media isn't allowed to publicize it.

forbids it.