Babysitting The Amnesiac Lycan King

Chapter 131 Chapter 131

I don't move.

I don't blink.

I don't fucking breathe.

There's mud soaking into the knees of my jeans and bark grinding into my palm, and none of it matters: Not when his voice is still echoing in my head.

"I got you, baby."

The branch. That fucking traitorous branch.

My chest hurts from holding in my breath too long. My throat burns. Every inch of me is screaming to run, now, but I'm pinned-mentally, physically, soul-deep frozen-by the sound of leaves being crushed under boots that are far too heavy to be anything but his.

Enoch.

He's close. So close I can hear his breathing. Sharp. Controlled. That same way he used to breathe when he was barely keeping it together in front of everyone else.

Only this time he's not hiding it.

There's no more mask. Just obsession in its rawest, most terrifying form.

The forest around me is thick with mist and dusk-shadowed trees. It should be enough to keep me hidden. But I know him.

He's a hunter. I'm the goddamn prey.

There's the sound of pine needles shifting. A rock being nudged. A pause. I can feel his stare against the back of my skull. No logic behind it, just pure instinct. Like he's already seeing me through the tree I'm hiding behind. Smirking. Patient.

I try not to tremble. Try.

"Taryn," a voice calls out-not his.

It's coming from somewhere in the trees. To my left. Deeper, farther. Higher up, maybe. I can't see. My heart launches into my throat.

Jacob.

My head jerks toward the sound. Just slightly. Just enough to hate myself for reacting.

"Found her," Jacob yells. "She's inside. Second level security just flagged-"

"No, she's not," Enoch snaps, his voice dark and low. Too close. "She's not inside. She's here."

Silence.

Goddamnit.

He knows. He knows..

I press my lips shut so tight they ache. My thighs are already cramping from crouching, but I'm not moving until-

"She really is inside," Jacob insists again, louder now. Closer. "It's her file ID. Triple confirmation."

"Don't lie to me," Enoch barks, and something snaps-a sharp, visceral crack that doesn't sound like a branch this time.

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Chapter 131

flinch.

He hit something.

"Get the fuck out of my head, Jacob."

I don't breathe. I don't blink.

But I move.

While they're arguing, I slip away. Slow at first. Quiet. One foot, then another. Careful of the twigs. Careful of the earth that wants to betray me like it already fucking did.

And then-then I'm gone.

I bolt.

I don't wait for logic or a plan or any idea of where the hell I'm going. I just run.

My boots hit the undergrowth hard. Branches whip at my arms. My lungs burn. Every breath is jagged. My legs already feel like they're losing blood. Doesn't matter. I'm not stopping.

me, the

Then-

"Taryn."

Wicked. Too fucking

sound of someone

Fast.

it, either. It's faster. Heavier. Like the whole fucking forest

not getting far on those

Fuck.

of paper. My foot slips on a rock and

hear him getting closer.

Like we're playing tag and not some twisted game of hunt the traitor mate in

My arms are

now. Feral. Closer. So fucking close I can feel the rumble of it crawling up my spine. "K me chase you. It's only making it worse for

root catches

I trip.

aking

No-

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Chapter 131

up onto my face, my palms stinging

impact.

the footsteps

Then just breathing.

His breathing.

Deep. Controlled.

Possessive.

remember my

my throat, and the sound of boots-his fucking

Always has been. But desperation makes liars of

stupid bush as I round the curb. I don't stop. I rip. The stitches scream and snap like my ribcage, but I don't

I spot headlights. Taxi.

car slows, blinking hazards. I dart into the street like a lunatic-probably look like one too. Pregnant, limping, blood on my sleeve, eyes wide enough

taxi starts to roll toward me,

BANG.

a hand slams

Enoch.

fogged on the window

GO, GO!" I yell, yanking the door

goddamn door off its hinges

ask questions.

tires scream. So

just mangled clangs against the

us, sparks flying.

the road now,

in a snarl I can feel in

He doesn't chase.

knows he's too

stare doesn't

Neither does mine.

the tears off my cheek with the back

glass like I'm not falling

I am.

Chapter 131

doesn't get to

cab turns.

the next three

to the cab driver. My voice is flat. "All of it.

what

she's seen

that?" she asks, voice

I say before I

don't talk the

building is way too quiet when I get out. The cab

Fair. If I were

hand cradling the curve of my stomach,

there's barely anything to

A heartbeat. A future that feels more

punch in

Except-

The hallway's already open.