My Baby Daddy Isn’t Human

Raelynn sat in the passenger seat of Kade's sleek black car, her hands folded nervously in her lap. The hum of the engine filled the silence, and her gaze flitted between the passing scenery outside and Kade, whose focus was entirely on the road. Even though she appeared calm, her thoughts were all over the place.

What did Elion want from her?

Her curiosity finally got the better of her. She cleared her throat and asked, "Kade, where exactly are we going? And why does Elion want to see me now?"

Kade didn't look at her. His hands gripped the steering wheel like he'd done it a million times before. "You'll know when you meet him," he said simply.

Raelynn frowned, leaning slightly toward him. "So you know, don't you?"

Kade's lips quirked up briefly in a faint, almost amused smile. "I might," he admitted, "but it's not my place to tell you. Elion's the one who needs to explain."

Raelynn sighed, sitting back in her seat with a huff. Her fingers tapped nervously on her thigh as her mind raced. She hated this—being kept in the dark, being shuffled around like a pawn in someone else's game.

The rest of the trip was filled with an uncomfortable silence, broken only by the occasional sound of the car's tires on the road. Raelynn stared out the window, watching the cityscape fade into a more rural, secluded area.

She shifted in her seat, her brows furrowing as the surroundings changed. Gone were the crowded streets and bustling neighborhoods; instead, tall trees and stretches of open land flanked the winding road. She turned her head toward Kade, her voice hesitant. "Where are we going? This… this doesn't look like the city anymore."

Kade glanced at her briefly, a knowing smirk playing on his lips before he returned his attention to the road. "Don't be surprised," he said. "Elion isn't a fan of crowded places. He prefers privacy and solitude."

Raelynn blinked, her curiosity piqued. "You mean… we're going to his house?"

Kade chuckled, a deep, smooth sound that made her feel like she'd just asked something amusingly obvious. "Yes," he said. "Didn't I mention that?"

Raelynn gawked at him, sitting upright in her seat. "No, you certainly did not."

Raelynn was expecting to meet Elion in his office, never in a million years did she think she'd end up at his place. Did Kade forget he didn't tell her where they were headed, even when she asked him earlier?

Kade shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, now you know."

She pressed her lips together, her thoughts spinning while the car kept moving. She wasn't sure what she'd been expecting, but the thought of seeing where Elion lived made her stomach tighten with a mix of anxiety and anticipation.

After another few minutes of driving, a structure came into view in the distance. Her eyes widened as they locked onto the massive building, a sprawling, elegant estate that loomed like something out of a fairytale. "Is that… is that Elion's house?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Kade nodded, his tone matter-of-fact. "It is."

Raelynn's jaw dropped as the car continued down the long, paved driveway leading to the estate. "House? That's not a house—it's a mansion. No, it's a castle!"

Kade's lips twitched in amusement, but he said nothing.

Raelynn sank back into her seat, trying to process what she was seeing. The mansion—actually, scratch that, it was more like a castle—was ridiculously grand. Its tall, stone walls were covered with fancy carvings, and the large, big windows gleamed in the fading light. A sprawling garden surrounded the estate, its meticulously maintained hedges and fountains adding to the otherworldly atmosphere.

She let out a soft, disbelieving laugh. "How rich is Elion, exactly?" she muttered to herself, shaking her head. But then again, she shouldn't have been so surprised. This was Elion Vaelorian she was talking about—a man who oozed wealth and power with every step he took.

The car slowed as they approached the fancy iron gates guarding the entrance. They creaked open automatically, allowing the car to pass through. Raelynn stared in awe at the long, tree-lined driveway leading up to the mansion. The trees' branches intertwined overhead, creating a natural canopy that dappled the car in shifting shadows.

The driveway curved, revealing the grand front entrance of the mansion. Kade brought the car to a smooth stop in front of the massive double doors, their dark wood polished to a mirror-like shine.

Raelynn glanced at Kade, who unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the door. "We're here," he said simply, stepping out.

She followed suit, her shoes clicking against the stone driveway as she climbed out of the car. The air was cool and refreshing, carrying the faint scent of flowers from the nearby garden. She craned her neck to take in the full height of the mansion, her mouth slightly open in awe. It was the first time she'd seen something like this—a palace, not just a house—right before her eyes.

Kade walked around the car and gestured for her to follow him. "This way."

Raelynn nodded mutely, trailing behind him as he approached the front doors. She couldn't help but glance around as they walked, her eyes drinking in every detail. The towering columns flanking the entrance, the fancy carvings on the doorframe, lanterns' faint glow lit the stone steps with warm light—it was all felt so surreal.

She was so engrossed in her surroundings that she nearly bumped into Kade when he stopped in front of the doors. He turned to her, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever. "Elion is waiting for you inside," he said, gesturing toward the doors.

Raelynn hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. "Just… go in?" she asked, her voice quieter than she intended.

Kade nodded. "He's expecting you."

She swallowed hard, her gaze flickering between Kade and the doors. Finally, she took a deep breath and stepped forward, her hand reaching out to push the heavy door open.

The world beyond those doors awaited her, and with it, whatever Elion Vaelorian had planned.