King Novel novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9

The smell of old books and varnished wood hits me as soon as we step inside the library, and for a moment, I almost forget the tall, brooding man–child trailing behind me.

Almost

Enoch sticks out like a sore thumb in this space, his massive frame blocking out the light filtering through the high windows

His green eyes scan the shelves, lingering on the spines as if they’re relics of some forgotten world.

“This,” I announce, spinning around dramatically, “is my sanctuary. The only place where no one bothers me.” I gesture at the books though I’ve just revealed the Holy Grail.

Enoch doesn’t say anything–he rarely does–but his gaze shifts to me, soft and curious.

He tilts his head, and it’s the kind of gesture that makes him look more of a clueless puppy than a man who just ripped the throat out of a rogue.

“Come on, I’ll give you the grand tour.”

His footsteps are almost silent despite his size, which is honestly unsettling.

For someone who looks like he could tear down walls with his bare hands, he moves like a ghost.

I glance back to make sure he’s still there, and he’s watching me with this intense, unreadable look that sends a shiver down my spine.

“Stop doing that,” I mutter.

“What?” His voice is low, raspy. He hasn’t used it much.

“Staring like you’re trying to decide if I’m prey or just really annoying,” I snap, pushing a book back into its place a little harder than necessary.

Enoch doesn’t reply, but the corners of his mouth twitch, and for a second, I think he might actually smile.

“See, this is where I spend hours pretending to do something productive while actually just snooping into centuries–old gossip.” I smirk, trying to lighten the mood.

Enoch pauses abruptly, his eyes locked on a particular book. Its leather cover is cracked, the gold title faded but still legible: The Royal Hierarchy of the Werewolf Kingdom.

“Figures you’d go straight for that,” I mutter, stepping closer to him. “You always have to pick the most ominous thing in the room, don’t you?”

He tilts his head, his fingers grazing the spine of the book. I take it down for him, flipping it open to a chapter I know too

well.

“Okay, here’s the gist,” I say, pointing at a page with a symbol of the Alpha King’s crest.

“The Alpha King is the ruler of everything. The top dog. The big bad wolf. No one knows his name, no one’s seen his face- except for his court. They say he’s ruthless. He expanded the kingdom, annihilated rogues, and basically crushed anyone who dared to defy him.”

I flip the page, the image of the Alpha King’s symbol staring back at me. My throat tightens just looking at it.

“Taryn scared?”

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11:40 SAL, 15 Mar A

I glance at him started His eyes are on me, not the bok

I swallow fondo acaud, Taay pickly, even to my pulse doing its best impressive of a drum solo I’m angry. He’s

rauch je jammable for parent’s death

Istoge myself, shaking my head ever mind, 1 por I need to meet him

Fooch ribs las head again, like he’s processing my words “You meet him

“That’s the plan” I mutter, closing the book with a sharp snap. “If Lever get the chance, love him a piece of my mind

And maybe get revenge for what me and my other had to go through when the park was attacked

“Why?” His brows former, and he looks genuinely puzzled, like the idea of me wanting to meet a man 1 clearly despice

don’t compete

It’s personal, I say shortly, shoving the book back on the shelf. My fingers tremble, and I hate that he notices

“Me”

I blink at him “What?”

Enoch’s chest puffs out, and he taps his own chest with a finger. “Me. Defeat Alpha King”

I burst out laughing before I can stop myself. His serious expression doesn’t budge, which only makes it funnier

“Oli, sure,” I say, wiping at my eyes. “You’re going to waltz into the Imperial Palace and challenge the most powerful man in the kingdom. That’ll go over great.”

“Will,” he insists, his tone unwavering.

I wipe a tear from my eye, still laughing.

I sigh, patting his head like he’s an overconfident toddler. “Alright, tough guy. Let’s work on you not scaring Omegas into fainting before you take on the kingdom.”

As if on cue, an Omega pokes her head into the aisle, impatiently glancing at me “Taryn, the headmaid is asking for you.”

I groan. “Of course she is.”

1 turn to Enoch, who’s now staring at the Omega like she’s the most confusing thing he’s ever seen.

I sure hope he’s not thinking of killing her just because I’ve been taken away again.

For fuck’s sake

TLOW.

ke this guy has given me traumas n

“Stay here. Don’t touch anything, don’t scare anyone, and for the love of all that is holy, don’t rip anyone’s throat out.”

I glance at Enoch. “Stay here. Behave. Don’t touch anything that looks important.

He nods, but his puppy–dog eyes follow me all the way to the door, making me feel like I just left a golden retriever behind in a thunderstorm.

Goddess, I sure hop he’s going to be okay.

The meeting quarters are already buzzing when I walk in.

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Chapter!!

Omegas dan around, holding talu i swatches and flower arrangements. The air is thick with the scent of fresh parchment

and nervous energy

For years, this has been my dentiain. The Mating Hall is my thing–the one time I get to call the shots, even if it’s just about decorations and seating charts,

So, when I see someone sitting in my chair at the head of the table, my steps falter.

The chair swivels, and there she is–Seraphina, in all her smug, perfectly–manicured glory.

The chair swivels slowly, and there she is. Seraphina,

Her perfect red lips curl into a smile that’s more predatory than friendly. “Taryn,” she purrs, her voice dripping with faux

sweetness.

The headmaid clears her throat, completely oblivious to the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. “Seraphina will be joining the planning team this year.”

“Wonderful,” I say through gritted teeth. “I’m sure her… insight will be invaluable”

Seraphina leans forward, her red lips curling into a predatory simile. “I’ve always thought the Mating Ball could use a touch of elegance. Don’t you agree, Taryn?”

I bite back the urge to tell her where she can shove her ‘elegance. Instead, I nod, my nails digging into the parchment in my

hands.

This is going to be a nightmare.

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. Before I can say yes, no, or tell her to shove her faux elegance where the moon doesn’t shine, the door flies open.

“Taryn!” An Omega practically tumbles inside, eyes wide with panic. “Your boyfriend’s causing another commotion!”

Boyfriend. It’s been, what, two hours since I dumped Enoch in the library? I don’t even have time to correct her terminology before Seraphina smirks.

“Looks like you’re busy,” she purrs. “We’ll take that as a decision to create our own plans.”

I clench my teeth so hard I’m surprised they don’t shatter. Without a word, I storm out, the sound of her satisfied hum echoing in my ears.

Fuck her.

The library is a battlefield.

Blood stains the floor like some macabre warning sign, and a man is curled up near the shelves, clutching his face, which is leaking red all over his shirt.

Another one is slumped in the corner, looking like he’s seen a ghost–or maybe Death itself.

And then there’s Enoch.

He’s on his knees in the center of it all, towering even while crouched.

His chest rises and falls with unbothered calm, but there’s this… aura around him. A pulsing, suffocating energy that screams danger.

It’s not something you can see, but you feel it–down in your bones. As though gravity just got ten times heavier, begging you to bow.

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Chapter 9

Except these idiots aren’t bowing. They’re punching.

“What the actual fuck?!” I yell through their lourd kicks

No one stops. Fists keep flying, and Enoch just takes it, his head snapping to the side with every blow, as if he’s testing how much damage he can absorb before he breaks,

Spoiler alert: it’s a lot.

“He’s your freak of a boyfriend!” one guy snarls, throwing another punch that lands with a sickening crack against Enoch’s

jaw.

-Stop it!” I scream, rushing forward, but another voice cuts through before I can reach him.

“Enough.”

It’s not loud, but it doesn’t need to be.

Kallias strides into the room like the self–important asshole he is, and for once, I’m grateful for his god–complex.

The air shifts again, lighter now but no less tense. The group freezes, their fists mid–air, and Kallias’s eyes sweep over the scene as though inspecting his property for damage.

“Get out,” he orders, sharp enough to gut.

They don’t even hesitate this time. One by one, they slink away, their gazes flicking between Kallias and Enoch like they’re deciding which one is scarier

I’d bet if Enoch is. Even when he’s the one out here on battered on the floor.

As soon as the last one bolts, Kallias turns and strolls to a nearby table, casually flipping open a book.