My Baby Daddy Isn’t Human

It was nearly three in the afternoon when Raelynn settled into the passenger seat of the white car, the leather cool beneath her fingertips. She leaned her elbow against the rolled-down window, letting the warm breeze brush against her skin. Her hair was tied into a loose ponytail, and wisps of it danced around her face with the wind. Her eyes flicked toward the driver's seat.

There he was—Reinhart, his sharp features relaxed behind the wheel. His hair fell lazily over his forehead, and his ever-present smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as if the world itself was his little joke.

Raelynn tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a small, teasing smile.

"I thought you said the library was boring?"

Reinhart didn't glance at her immediately, his hands steady on the steering wheel as the car rumbled to life. Only after a moment did his eyes slide toward her from the corner of his vision.

"I did," he answered smoothly. "And I still think it is."

Raelynn arched a brow. "Then why are you coming with me again?"

Reinhart leaned back against the seat, tapping his fingers lightly against the wheel as if considering his answer. Finally, he sighed, the smirk never quite leaving his lips.

"Because doing nothing back at the mansion is even more boring."

Raelynn blinked, then let out a soft chuckle. "I see… so you're just using me for entertainment?"

Reinhart's smirk deepened. "Precisely."

Raelynn shook her head with a little laugh and leaned back in her seat, letting the matter go. If Reinhart wanted to tag along, she wouldn't argue.

By the time they reached the city library, Raelynn felt a small spark of excitement bloom in her chest. Today, there was something more pulling her there.

As she stepped out of the car, her fingers reached into her small shoulder bag, pulling out her phone. Her heart skipped when she remembered the unread message from Axel.

I'm back to work. Heard you were looking for me.

A smile flickered across her lips. She hadn't seen Axel in what felt like forever. The last time they spoke, he had gone on leave for some personal matters. He was one of the few familiar faces that made her feel at ease in this strange city.

Reinhart shut the car door behind her, slipping his hands into his pockets as he followed her toward the library's entrance.

"Are you going to be grinning like that the whole time?" he teased lazily.

Raelynn glanced over her shoulder, her smile unfading. "Maybe."

Reinhart snorted but didn't press further.

As they stepped inside, Axel was waiting near the reception desk, leaning casually against the counter. His hair was slightly tousled, and his glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. His eyes lit up when he spotted Raelynn.

"Well, well… look who finally found her way back."

Raelynn's smile widened as she walked up to him. "Axel! You're back."

Axel pushed off the counter, grinning. "I heard someone's been asking about me."

Raelynn laughed softly. "I have. It's been… what? A moth?"

"More like a week or two," Axel corrected, his eyes warm behind his glasses. "Missed me that much?"

Raelynn rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't flatter yourself."

Reinhart cleared his throat from behind her, his eyes glinting with impatience.

Axel's gaze flicked past Raelynn's shoulder, and his brows lifted. "Ah… you brought a new friend."

Raelynn glanced back. "Right. Reinhart—Axel. Axel—Reinhart."

Axel stretched out a hand, his grin easy. "Nice to meet you."

Reinhart's eyes flicked down at the offered hand for a second too long before finally shaking it with a firm grip.

"Likewise," he said smoothly, though the smirk at the edge of his lips made it clear he wasn't entirely serious.

They spoke as they walked deeper into the library, the casual conversation filling the quiet space. At one point, Axel glanced at Raelynn, adjusting his glasses. "My shift ends soon. How about we hang out after?"

Raelynn's face lit up. "That sounds great."

Reinhart's low voice cut in smoothly. "If you're taking her anywhere, you'll be taking me too."

Axel blinked before his lips curved into an easy smile. "The more the merrier."

Raelynn only shook her head at them, amused by how quickly they seemed to fall into an odd rhythm—completely unlike the sharp tension that always lingered between Elion and Axel.

They waited for Axel to finish his shift, and half an hour later, he emerged with his bag slung over his shoulder. When Reinhart started toward the car, Axel held up a hand.

"No need for that," he said with a grin. "We can just walk."

Reinhart frowned, clearly displeased by the idea. "Walk?"

"It's not far," Axel shrugged. "Besides… it's a nice day."

Raelynn shot Reinhart a small smile. "Come on. A little walking won't kill you."

Reinhart muttered something under his breath but followed without further complaint.

The city felt alive in the afternoon sun. The streets were busy with people going about their day—couples strolling hand in hand, street vendors calling out their goods, children chasing each other across the pavement.

Raelynn walked between Axel and Reinhart. It felt... normal. As if the weight of everything that had happened in the last few weeks had been left behind.

When they reached the park, Axel glanced around, a faint smile playing at his lips.

"Some people like to borrow books and come here to read," he said, his voice thoughtful. "It's quieter than the library sometimes."

Raelynn nodded slowly, letting her eyes wander over the park—families spread out on blankets, elderly couples feeding pigeons, children running across the grass.

Then Axel's voice cut through the peaceful air.

"What's that?"

His tone was light, almost curious.

Raelynn's brows furrowed as she followed his gaze into the distance. Reinhart's eyes narrowed beside her, scanning the horizon.

But before she could spot what Axel meant, she felt a sudden hand wrap around her wrist.

"Hey—"

Axel's fingers curled tightly around her, and without warning, he started to run.

"Axel—what are you—"

"Come on," he urged, his voice light but his grip unyielding.

Raelynn stumbled forward, forced to follow as her heart leapt into her throat. Behind them, she heard Reinhart's sharp voice calling after them—but Axel didn't slow down.

And as they ran, Raelynn caught a glimpse of Axel's face—the faintest smirk tugging at his lips.

A chill crawled down her spine.

But she couldn't pull away.

She could only run.