My Baby Daddy Isn’t Human

The room was dimly lit, the flickering glow of a single candle casting long, restless shadows against the stone walls. A faint scent of burning wax filled the air, blending with the musty dampness that clung to the hidden chamber.

A hooded figure stood at the center, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest of an old wooden chair. Their posture was relaxed, almost lazy, but there was a coiled tension in the air—like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike.

The door creaked open. A man in dark robes entered, bowing his head slightly before stepping forward. He held out a neatly folded parchment, the edges crisp and unmarred, a stark contrast to the weight of the news it carried.

The hooded figure accepted the report without a word, unfolding it with slow, deliberate movements. Their gaze swept over the inked words, absorbing each detail.

A quiet chuckle broke the silence.

"So, the man in glasses interfered," the figure murmured, voice barely above a whisper. "How unfortunate."

They leaned back in their chair, fingers trailing absently along the parchment's surface before setting it aside. Their lips curled into a smirk—sharp, knowing, dangerous.

The robed messenger hesitated, shifting slightly where he stood. "He wasn't supposed to be there," he admitted, his voice steady but laced with caution. "Our men were taken down when they were waiting for our representatives."

The smirk faltered for a fraction of a second before settling back into place. "I see."

Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken thoughts. The candle's flame flickered violently for a moment, throwing jagged shadows across the chamber walls.

After what felt like an eternity, the figure exhaled softly. "Find better men. And this time… no mistakes."

The messenger straightened. "Understood."

He turned on his heel, moving toward the exit, but before he could leave, the hooded figure spoke again.

"And as for the man in glasses—watch him closely. If he gets in our way again…" A pause. A slow, eerie smile. "Eliminate him."

A curt nod. The door creaked shut once more, sealing the chamber in darkness.

The hooded figure remained still, fingers steepled beneath their chin, eyes glinting with something unreadable.

The game was far from over.

**

The morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the mansion, casting a soft golden glow over the spacious living room. The scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of polished wood and old books. The quiet hum of life in the mansion made it feel warm, peaceful—almost as if the chaos from the past few days had never happened.

Elion sat on the plush couch, his injured hand resting on his lap. His posture was relaxed, yet his sharp silver eyes held a quiet intensity. He appeared deep in thought, his gaze fixed on the delicate porcelain cup before him, the steam curling in the air. Across from him, Kade stood with his hands in his pockets, his usual smile in place, while Sloane lounged beside him, arms crossed, her hair catching the morning light.

"So," Kade drawled, his voice carrying a note of amusement, "how does it feel to sit back and let me handle things for a change?"

Elion lifted his gaze, arching a brow. "If you want to take my workload permanently, I won't stop you."

Kade chuckled, shaking his head. "Tempting, but no thanks. I enjoy my freedom too much."

Sloane scoffed, leaning back against the armrest. "You say that, but you handled those guys pretty well last night. If I didn't know better, I'd think you actually cared about doing a good job."

Kade gave her a lazy grin. "Hey, when I do something, I do it well. And besides, it was entertaining. They actually thought they had a chance."

Elion sighed, rubbing his temple with his good hand. "Is it done?"

Sloane gave a slow nod. "No loose ends." Her tone was casual, but there was a weight behind her words that only Elion and Kade would understand.

Sloane stepped closer to Elion, lowering her voice so only he could hear. "And what about your bride?" Her tone was light, but there was a glint of mischief in her eyes.

Elion's expression barely flickered as he gave her a sidelong glance. "What?" he scoffed, adjusting his injured arm. "This has nothing to do with her."

Sloane arched a brow, clearly unconvinced. "You sure about that?"

Before Elion could respond, a voice broke through the air, hesitant but clear.

"Uh… am I interrupting something?"

All three of them turned at once to find Raelynn standing a few feet away. Her gaze flickered between them, her posture stiff, as if she had just walked in on something she shouldn't have.

Kade smirked, crossing his arms. "Well, well. Speak of the devil."

Raelynn's brows knitted together. "What?"

Sloane let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "Nothing." She glanced at Elion, whose jaw had tightened ever so slightly.

Raelynn shifted on her feet. "I was just… looking for you," she said, directing her words at Elion, though she still looked uncertain.

Elion cleared his throat, stepping away from Sloane. "I'm here."

An awkward silence settled between them before Raelynn tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Right… I'll just—"

"You can stay," Elion said, a bit too quickly.

Raelynn glanced between them, her brows knitting together slightly. "What are you all talking about?" she asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

Elion turned to her, his expression unreadable for a moment before he gave a small, reassuring smile. "Just work stuff."

Raelynn pursed her lips, sensing there was more to it than that, but she chose not to press further. She had learned that there were things Elion and the others dealt with that she might never fully understand. And maybe, for now, that was okay.

Sloane stretched, standing up. "Well, I've got things to do. Try not to get into trouble while I'm gone." She shot Elion a pointed look before winking at Raelynn and strolling out of the room.

Kade smirked, following suit. "Don't miss me too much, boss."

Elion rolled his eyes as Kade left, leaving just him and Raelynn in the quiet living room.