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.

1/5

12:04 Mon, 26 May M

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."

name. Soft. Wicked. Too fucking

the sound of someone

Fast.

faster. Heavier. Like the whole fucking forest is shifting just to

not getting far on

Fuck.

like they're made of paper. My foot slips on

him getting closer.

outrun me?" he calls again, too fucking casually. Like we're playing tag and not some twisted game of hunt the traitor

metal. My arms are

close I can feel the rumble of it crawling up my spine. "K me chase you. It's only making it

root catches

I trip.

aking

No-

4.04

IVOLT, 20 vay

Chapter 131

up onto my face, my palms

impact.

the

Then just breathing.

His breathing.

Deep. Controlled.

Possessive.

remember running. I just remember

throat, and the sound of boots-his fucking boots-pounding behind me like war

been. But desperation makes liars of biology. And tonight, it makes me a goddamn

rip. The stitches scream and snap like my ribcage, but I don't stop. I'm not stopping

I spot headlights. Taxi.

voice could reach heaven. The little yellow car slows, blinking hazards. I dart into the street like a lunatic-probably look like one too. Pregnant, limping, blood on my sleeve,

taxi starts to roll toward

BANG.

slams

Enoch.

the window

yell, yanking the door open and practically

ripping the goddamn door off its

questions. He slams

scream. So do

The door Enoch just mangled clangs against

us, sparks flying.

the middle of the road now, eyes glowing,

I can feel in my

He doesn't chase.

knows he's

his stare

Neither does mine.

tears off my cheek with the

glass like I'm

I am.

Chapter 131

he doesn't get to

turns.

breathe for the next three red

cab driver. My voice is

what

she's seen

that?" she

before I can stop

talk the rest

quiet when I get out.

shut the door. Fair. If I were her, I'd be doing the same

toward the apartment, one hand cradling the curve of my

barely anything

heartbeat. A future that feels more

in the

Except-

The hallway's already open.