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

he says. "Just wanted to

My stomach tightens.

I expected, but it sure

knees up, gripping

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

working on stopping it."

emotions swirls in my chest-surprise, confusion, maybe even a little bit of

know what to

don't say

stretches between us until

the call

at the screen like

against the edge

world feels

the first time in a long

feel completely,

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documents still sprawled around me. 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

Try not to think about 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. Like I belonged to

It doesn't work.

slithers in,

I shove it down.

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

the floor in a panic, shoving them under my bed like I'm thirteen and hiding contraband from a

parent.

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

"The

are." She marches over, slamming the dresses onto my bed. The hangers clatter against each other. "Because you

“Zoe, I'm not in the mood for some-"I motion vaguely

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Chapter 76

expression. "-whatever the fuck this

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you. Because if I don't, you'll sit in this room, going batshit crazy

and I refuse

like being a feral conspiracy theorist." "Taryn." Zoe puts

being at pathetic, emotionally-wrecked dumbass. "You need to clear your head. And

narrow my eyes. "...Define

She grins, all teeth.

tells me I

knew I wouldn't like

thick with sweat and adrenaline. It smells like leather, metal, and aggression. The overhead lights are dim,

entire place feels like a

almost drowned out by the sounds of fists slamming into flesh, grunts of

goddamn

turn

She smiles innocently.

glare. "You dragged me to an

fight ring," she corrects. "Not

Then the ring. Then

the fuck is wrong

she groans, waving a dismissive hand. "You need

figured what better way

deep voice cuts

you when she

I whip around.

ring, arms crossed,

ever-is Jacob Wyatt.

I blink. Hard.

back to Zoe. "You planned this?

Zoe shrugs. "Guilty"

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Chapter 76

throw my hands up.

fighting tonight," Jacob says casually, like he

pause. Slowly turn back

Jacob smirks. "Fighting."

"For what?"

doesn't answer. He just looks

And

about the way his gaze settles-steady,

stomach drop.

sinking feeling crawls up my

is fighting anyone or

He doesn't reply.

Just smiles.

I hear

voice, cutting through the thick air like a

match

erupts. The

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

shake hands. And then, without warning,

It's not a sport.

It's war.

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

The Italian retaliates, grabbing the

and slamming him into the

My stomach churns.

normal fight.

"I want to

grabbing my

don't fucking trust

knockout. The Italian guy doesn't

The crowd goes wild.

announcer's voice

unlike any

The lights cut out.

darker, something

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Chapter 76

side

entire body

Because he steps out.

in black,

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is. Not really. His face

the throne. The media isn't allowed

forbids it.