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."

Soft. Wicked.

sound

Fast.

like it, either. It's faster. Heavier. Like the

not getting far on those

Fuck.

low branches like they're made of paper. My foot

can hear him

again, too fucking casually. Like we're playing tag and not some twisted game of

tastes like metal. My arms are

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

catches my

I trip.

aking

No-

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Chapter 131

to my knees, mud splashing up

impact.

me, the footsteps

Then just breathing.

His breathing.

Deep. Controlled.

Possessive.

remember running. I just remember my lungs burning,

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

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

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 stop. I'm not stopping until I'm halfway across the country or dead.

I spot headlights. Taxi.

heaven. The little yellow car slows, blinking hazards. I dart into the street like a lunatic-probably look like one too.

to roll toward

BANG.

a hand slams against the glass

Enoch.

on the window like some twisted horror movie

the door open and practically throwing myself

sees the seven-foot psycho ripping the goddamn door off its hinges like it's a

ask questions. He slams the

tires scream. So

just mangled clangs against

us, sparks flying.

middle of the road now, eyes

I can feel

He doesn't chase.

he's

stare doesn't

Neither does mine.

cheek with the back of my shaking hand and glare

the glass like I'm not falling

I am.

Chapter 131

doesn't get to see that. Not

cab turns. He's

the next three

damage," I mutter to the cab driver. My

care what

just nods like she's seen a

she

before I

talk the

way too quiet when I get out. The

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

hand cradling the curve

anything to

future that

punch in the

Except-

The hallway's already open.