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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Chapter 82

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?"

dress catching the light as she laughs. "Straight to the point. I respect that." She grabs my wrist, yanking me forward

back, but her

dig in,

I don't move.

funniest joke in the world. Then, without

cursing, but she's already moving, spinning us both into the rhythm of the music. When

I grit

"Now, why would I do that? I haven't had

breathing controlled. "You already had your fun," I say, voice low,

the flicker of satisfaction in her eyes. "Enough?” she echoes. Then she leans in, close enough that I can smell her perfume-rich, heady,

"Never."

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Chapter 82

I don't

fuck

still toying with me. "Oh,

I wait.

she says

"Enoch."

locks. My stomach

all that trouble for Celeste, did you?" She scoffs. "That woman is nothing but a

was gullible, but to hear it confirmed, laid out so casually, makes my blood fucking

eyes, pulse thudding. "You're delusional if

knowing laugh. "Aren't you confident?" She twirls again, still

this time, I move

I match her.

I want to, but because I refuse to stand here like

little girl while she plays with me

So I dance.

Her grin falters.

you didn't think I'd fold that

quickly, matching my movements, but there's

her eyes-irritation.

my lips curling. "Enjoy your little fantasy, Brooke." My voice drops, mocking, confident. "Because that's all it'll ever be." The song builds, the crowd moving around us in a blur of color and light. I keep my gaze locked on hers, my confidence solidifying, hardening. I won't cower.

tilts her head, studying me, and for the first time, her mask slips. Just a little. "We'll

nerves, the sound curling around me like a taunt. My grip tightens around

he loves you?" Her voice is syrupy,

pities me.

"I

glinting

is he searching

woman?"

chest like a blunt force, and my

desk. The name. The pictures. The

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Chapter 82

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

us, but I barely hear

is too loud, hammering in my skull. My fingers twitch to strangle the satisfaction off her face, but she steps in close, pressing something small and worn into my palm. Her fingers curl mine over it, sealing it

leans in, whispering against my car,

Then she's gone.

music pounds, people move, the scent of sweat and alcohol thick

my heart slamming into my

Two kids.

is unmistakably Enoch-rigid, serious, even as a

bright eyes and

she looks just

my throat. My hands feel numb. My vision blurs

over itself, desperate

can't be real. This isn't

it is, isn't

I can't breathe.

club press in, the flashing lights making

photo, the

skin.

shadow of someone he

I can spiral further, warm hands

against my neck as Enoch presses in from behind, lips

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

of my dress so fast I almost crumple it. I