My Baby Daddy Isn’t Human

Raelynn now sat before her vanity. Her fingers traced the delicate chain around her neck, gently toying with the pendant that now rested against her collarbone. It was cool to the touch, the smooth surface reflecting a faint shimmer. She admired the necklace through the mirror, its intricate design catching the light. Her eyes drifted upward, meeting Elion's steady gaze reflected back at her.

Elion stood behind her, his tall frame partially shadowed, but his eyes were unwavering, focused solely on her. There was something calm yet intense about the way he looked at her—like he was seeing more than just her reflection.

Raelynn's fingers continued to play with the pendant as she asked softly, "Why did you give me this?"

Raelynn's fingers brushed over the pendant, feeling its smooth surface beneath her touch. It was beautiful—delicate yet sturdy, like something meant to last.

She wasn't ungrateful. Not at all. But there had to be a reason for this.

Elion wasn't the type to give gifts on a whim. In all the time she had known him, he had never given her anything like this before.

Her eyes flickered to his reflection in the mirror. He was watching her with that quiet intensity of his, unreadable yet unwavering.

"Is there… a reason?" she asked hesitantly, still toying with the pendant.

Elion's reflection quirked a faint smile, though his eyes remained cool. "No reason. I saw it and thought it would suit you."

She blinked, slightly surprised by his simplicity. "Well… thank you," she murmured, her thumb brushing the edge of the gem.

Elion stepped closer, his reflection now looming a little larger in the mirror. "Keep wearing it," he said, his voice low, but there was an undercurrent of insistence beneath it. "It would make me happy."

Raelynn tilted her head, studying his reflection, before nodding. "Okay."

Raelynn lowered her gaze to the pendant, turning it between her fingers. It was strange, how easily she had accepted it—hadn't even considered trying to give it back.

She could have. She probably should have. But the words never even crossed her mind.

All she told herself was that she didn't want to turn down Elion's good intention. That was all. Nothing more.

She liked it, of course. The gem was beautiful, catching the light in a way that made it seem almost alive. That was the reason she kept it. Because it was pretty.

Not because it was from Elion.

Yes, that was it.

Her thoughts keep wandered as she continued playing with the necklace. It was no ordinary gift. The delicate craftsmanship and the sheer weight of it hinted at its worth. Elion didn't seem like the kind to give random, expensive gifts. Her brows furrowed slightly, curiosity blooming.

"But are you sure? This must be really valuable," she asked, glancing over her shoulder at him.

Elion didn't hesitate. "Yeah. You're the mother of my child, after all."

Raelynn's heart gave a small flutter at those words. She turned back to the mirror, her smile softening. The mother of his child, huh? She whispered it to herself in her mind, a mix of warmth and bittersweet hope blooming in her chest. If only he could think of me beyond just that…

Her thoughts were interrupted when Elion's voice cut through the momentary silence. "You haven't been having bad dreams anymore, have you?"

Raelynn blinked, thinking back. It had been days since the last nightmare. "No… I haven't," she replied, almost surprised at her own answer.

Elion's lips curled into a barely-there smile. "Good. Let's keep it that way, shall we?"

She tilted her head at him, confusion flickering across her features. "I mean… it's not like we can control dreams." Her voice was half a laugh, half a question.

Elion didn't explain. He simply gave a soft, knowing nod. "Just rest easy."

Though puzzled, Raelynn didn't push it. She simply agreed, "Okay," her voice a whisper.

Elion stepped back, his hand reaching out briefly to pat her head before turning to leave. The light sound of his steps echoed softly against the wooden floor as he approached the door.

Raelynn watched him through the mirror, a sudden urge making her speak. "Elion."

He paused, turning halfway, his silver eyes locking onto hers.

She hesitated before offering a soft, sincere smile. "Thank you. Again."

His gaze lingered, a shadow of emotion flickering through his usually unreadable eyes, but he said nothing. He simply nodded and walked out, the door closing with a quiet click behind him.

Left alone in the warm stillness of her room, Raelynn got into bed, her fingers still unconsciously brushing the pendant. Its coolness against her skin was oddly comforting. She smiled softly to herself as she snuggled beneath the covers, the weight of the necklace a gentle reminder of tonight. She hadn't expected Elion to surprise her like that.

As her eyelids grew heavy, she caught herself still toying with the pendant, the corners of her lips lifting ever so slightly before she drifted into sleep.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Elion's footsteps echoed down the hall as he moved toward the grand staircase. His face, once softened in Raelynn's room, was now back to its usual stoicism. He descended the wide marble steps and was met with the faint scent of jasmine lingering in the air.

At the bottom of the staircase stood Hera. She waited by the entryway into the lounge, hands folded neatly in front of her. The moment she noticed Elion, she straightened and dipped her head politely.

"Mr. Vaelorian," Hera greeted.

He gave her a brief nod before his sharp gaze fixed on her. "I need you to make sure Raelynn never takes off the necklace I just gave her."

Hera didn't even flinch at the command. "I understand."

There was a heavy pause before Elion spoke again, his voice lower this time, carrying a weight only Hera seemed to recognize. "It will protect her."

The simple statement hung in the air, thick with unspoken meaning, before Elion moved past her, his footsteps fading into the darkened hall.

Elion's footsteps were steady, but his mind was anything but calm. As he walked through the dimly lit hall, his fingers twitched slightly at his sides.

That necklace better do its job properly.