Babysitting The Amnesiac Lycan King

Chapter 82

Chapter 82

1 fucking blink. Once. Twice,

Zoe?

She's twirling on the dance floor like a damn ballerina on speed, all while I stand frozen, gripping my drink so tight I'm surprised the glass doesn't crack.

+68)

This has to be some cosmic joke, My best friend-my work best friend, my safe- space-from-werewolf-drama best friend- should be thousands of miles away, slumped in her cubicle, ranting about deadlines and how our boss is a "hot-but- terrifying dictator."

Instead, she's here, in the middle of a club in the Maldives, throwing her arms up like she just won the lottery.

Why is she in my vacation?

"What the actual fuck," I breathe, setting my drink down before I crush it I immediately rush towards her. Bodies shift, sweat-slicked skin brushing against me, but I barely notice. The only thing I see is my friend, the only thing I hear is the hammering in my chest.

When I reach Zoe, I grab her wrist, yanking her around so hard she stumbles. She turns, her eyes locking on mine. Her mouth drops open. "Taryn?"

"No, the fucking Pope," I deadpan. "What are you doing here?"

Zoe still looks like she's trying to process reality, her mouth opening and closing like a goldfish. "I-wait, what are you doing here?!"

Before I can answer, a new voice cuts in, smooth and teasing. "I brought her."

Zoe and I turn at the same time. The woman standing there is beautiful. Too beautiful. Like something hand-carved with the sole purpose of ruining lives. She smiles, saccharine and sharp, eyes glittering under the neon lights.

And then it hits me. The familiarity. The way my stomach churns with unease before my brain catches up. She was there. Back in the pack. She handled it. My pulse slams.

It was this woman, the woman I heard cooing Celeste's crying figure when she was scolded by her own father. She's one who said she's going to handle it.

And she did. She did by ruining my reputation.

Brooke.

Long, dark waves. Full lips curved in amusement. A beauty that's almost hypnotic if you don't know better. But I do know better. Because I've seen her before. No, not just seen her-heard her.

My body goes rigid as the realization drops a fucking anvil on my chest. I take a step back, my stomach flipping. Brooke's gaze flickers with something, a little smirk curling her lips, like she can see the moment the realization clicks for me.

And she's enjoying it.

Zoe, completely unaware of the absolute hellstorm brewing inside me, giggles. Fucking giggles. "Isn't she the best? She just -poof!-surprised me with this whole trip. Told me I deserved a little getaway, and next thing I know, I'm on a plane."

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She beams at Brooke, like she's talking about a fairy godmother and not a snake

in designer heels.

I don't smile. "How generous," I say flatly.

Brooke just tilts her head, her eyes gleaming. "I thought she could use a little fun."

I bet you did.

84%

My mouth is dry, my throat locking up as I try to make sense of it all. Brooke isn't here by coincidence. She didn't bring Zoe out of the kindness of her heart. She knew exactly what she was doing. She came for me.

Brooke tilts her head, her smirk unwavering. "Zoe, give us a moment, would you?"

Zoe hesitates. She glances between us, finally picking up on the tension. "Um... are you guys okay?"

"I said," Brooke's smile drops, "give us a moment."

Zoe, still high on whatever spell Brooke has her under, leans into me. "You know, you really should be thanking her. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't even be here! And what are the odds we'd run into you of all people?"

Oh, I don't know, Zoe. Maybe because she fucking planned it?

Zoe barely manages a nod to Brooke again before slipping away, and just like that, I'm alone with the woman who played a hand in tearing my life apart.

The bass-heavy music pounds, making my bones vibrate. Around us, people are lost in their own worlds, drinking, dancing, laughing-completely oblivious to the fact that the air between Brooke and me is so razor-sharp it could slice someone

open.

Brooke moves first, stepping closer, her body swaying to the beat. "You're so stiff, Sinclair," she hums. "Relax. Dance."

my arms, my nails biting into

you

want?"

point. I respect that." She grabs my wrist, yanking me forward before I can

but her grip tightens.

dig in, her voice honeyed venom. "And

I don't move.

airy, like I just told the funniest joke in the world. Then, without warning, she grabs

spinning us both into the rhythm of the

I grit

her head. "Now, why would I do that? I haven't had my fun

to stay steady, my breathing controlled. "You already had your fun," I

see the flicker of satisfaction in her eyes. "Enough?” she echoes. Then she leans in, close enough that I

"Never."

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Chapter 82

my spine, but I don't

the fuck are you

still dancing, still toying with me. "Oh, Taryn." Her lips curl. "Isn't

I wait.

then she

"Enoch."

locks. My

think I went through all that trouble for Celeste, did you?" She scoffs. "That woman

to hear it confirmed, laid out

thudding. "You're delusional if you think Enoch would ever fall for

knowing laugh. "Aren't you confident?" She twirls again, still dancing, still treating this like

time, I move

I match her.

I want to, but because I refuse to stand here

she plays with me like a

So I dance.

Her grin falters.

didn't think I'd fold that easily, did

quickly, matching my movements, but there's a

her eyes-irritation.

all it'll ever be." The song builds, the crowd moving around us in a blur of color and light. I

head, studying me, and for the first time, her mask

nerves, the sound curling around me like a taunt. My grip tightens around her hand, but she just smirks, her

you?" Her voice

pities me.

"I

head, eyes glinting with something

"Then why is he searching for

woman?"

into my chest like a blunt force, and my breath catches. My

his archives, flipping through old files on his desk. The name. The

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Chapter 82

watching me, reveling in my reaction. "Oh," she coos. "You

throbs around us,

strangle the satisfaction off her face, but she steps in close, pressing something small and worn into

leans in, whispering against my

Then she's gone.

the scent of sweat and alcohol thick

into my ribs

Two kids.

Enoch-rigid, serious, even as a boy.

bright

looks just

hands feel numb. My vision blurs at the edges

mind trips over itself, desperate

be real. This isn't

it is,

I can't breathe.

walls of the club press in, the flashing lights making me dizzy.

the photo, the

skin.

shadow of someone he lost? Was I ever

spiral further, warm hands slide

A deep, possessive hum vibrates against my neck as Enoch presses in from

dark. "Now every man in this club is looking at you like you're

picture into the pocket of my dress so fast I almost crumple