My Baby Daddy Isn’t Human

182: Shadows in the Office 182: Shadows in the Office The steady hum of the city vibrated through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Elion’s sleek, modern office.

The skyline stretched endlessly beyond the glass, its towering buildings casting long shadows under the soft afternoon sun.

Yet, despite the expansive view, Elion’s focus was far from the bustling world outside.

He sat behind a grand mahogany desk, its polished surface covered in neatly stacked files, yet his eyes glazed over the document in his hand, the black inked words blurring together.

Raelynn.

Her name lingered in his mind, her face flashing behind his eyes—the way her lips curved when she smiled, how her brows furrowed when deep in thought.

He tightened his grip on the pen in his hand, its metallic edge biting into his skin.

Work demanded his attention, but it was a losing battle.

The sharp slam of his office door yanked him back to reality.

Kade strode in without waiting for permission, a thick file in hand.

“Seriously, Elion?

You’re zoning out again?” Elion’s cold, unreadable gaze flicked toward him, though he didn’t offer a response.

Kade dropped the file onto the desk with a loud thud, papers shifting within.

“You’ve barely been back to work for a week, and you’re already daydreaming,” Kade continued, half exasperated, half amused.

“I get it—she’s on your mind.

But you’ve got mountains of work piling up.

You think it’s easy covering for you while you play house?” Elion’s jaw tensed.

“That’s literally your job.” Kade snorted.

“Yeah, well, I know that.

But there’s too much going on for you to check out now.” Elion’s eyes flickered to the file, but his mind refused to anchor itself.

His fingers drummed against the desk as if weighing whether to argue or let Kade vent.

Kade sighed, shifting the conversation.

“We’ve had reports—rogues lingering too close to the mansion.” At this, Elion’s focus sharpened.

“How close?” “Close enough that our scouts are on edge.

They’re testing boundaries, waiting for a crack in security.” Elion leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly through his nose.

To think those bastards dared to come this close.

His estate wasn’t just some poorly guarded noble house—it was a fortress.

Guards patrolled the grounds day and night, security was tighter than ever, and any threat should have been dealt with long before it reached this point.

And yet, the rogues were lingering.

Testing the limits.

That alone told him everything he needed to know.

They had never shown this much interest in his home before.

Sure, there were always stray rogues lurking in the outskirts, scavengers looking for scraps, but never anything organized.

Never anything like this.

There had to be a reason.

And unfortunately, he already had a damn good guess as to what—or who—it was.

His jaw tightened.

Great.

As if I didn’t have enough shit to deal with already.

Between the growing tension with the organization breathing down his neck and now this, his patience was wearing thin.

He had spent years keeping things under control, balancing his responsibilities, playing their damn game.

But now, it seemed like every piece on the board was shifting against him all at once.

Elion let out a slow, measured sigh, rubbing his temple.

“Any signs of direct hostility?” he asked, keeping his voice steady.

Kade shook his head.

“Not yet.

Just watching.

Waiting.” Of course, they were.

That was how it always started.

Probing for weaknesses, looking for an opening.

And if they thought they’d find one here, they were in for a rude awakening.

Elion’s fingers drummed once against the desk before going still.

If they wanted a reason to regret coming here, he’d give them one.

Elion leaned forward, the leather creaking softly under his weight.

“We’ve already strengthened the perimeter.

The guards know what to do.” “That’s it?

No extra orders?

Raelynn’s there, man.” A flicker of emotion crossed Elion’s face, but he masked it quickly.

“The security we’ve put in place will hold.” Kade wasn’t buying it.

He crossed his arms.

“You’re worried about her.

I can see it.

And when are you going to tell her?” This question again.

Elion barely stopped himself from sighing.

It was the same thing every time.

The same pointed look, the same prodding, the same expectation that he would eventually crack and give an answer Kade wanted to hear.

He didn’t want to hear it anymore.

Elion’s jaw clenched, the muscle ticking.

Instead of answering, he grabbed another folder and flipped it open.

“What’s the status on the new project?” Kade blinked, realizing the clear dodge, but decided not to press—this time.

“We finalized the partnership.

Contracts will be ready for your signature tomorrow.” “Good.” Kade shook his head with a low chuckle.

“You’re impossible sometimes.” He turned for the door but threw one last look over his shoulder.

“Don’t wait too long, Elion.

She’s not just another woman.” The door clicked shut behind him.

Silence settled in the room again, heavier now.

Elion didn’t immediately return to the files.

Instead, he opened the top drawer of his desk, fingers brushing against cool metal.

He pulled out a delicate necklace—its silver chain glinted under the soft glow of the office lights, a small crimson stone set at its center.

It was the twin piece to the one Raelynn now wore.

His thumb traced the edge of the stone, the weight of it grounding him.

It wasn’t just a piece of jewelry—it was a symbol, a promise, a shield.

“Stay safe,” he murmured, a whisper swallowed by the vastness of the room.

He clenched the pendant tightly before placing it back into the drawer with careful precision.

The moment it was out of sight, an ache settled low in his chest.

Shaking it off, he grabbed his schedule from the desk.

Meetings, conferences, signatures—his day was filled with obligations.

But his gaze lingered on the final meeting listed for the evening.

The thought of another hour stuck in a sterile boardroom felt suffocating.

He stood abruptly, his chair rolling back with a faint screech.

Pulling on his jacket, Elion glanced once more at the skyline before muttering, “Screw it.” His mind was already set—he was going home.

To her.