The woman stood before the mirror, her gaze soft as she traced the curve of her growing belly with a tender hand. Her thoughts wandered to the future—picking out tiny clothes, decorating a nursery, imagining birthdays yet to come. The anticipation was overwhelming, and a small smile crept across her lips.

Behind her, a figure chuckled softly. He stepped closer, pressing gentle kisses to her cheeks, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine. "It's way too early to decide on a name," he murmured, his voice a soothing rumble that filled the quiet room.

She turned to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a deep kiss. Their bodies pressed together, the heat between them intensifying as he responded with fervor, his hands sliding down to grip her firmly. A soft moan escaped her lips as their passion ignited, but she pulled back, breathless and with a teasing smile.

"Can you at least give me a name suggestion?" she asked, her voice playful.

He rolled his eyes, clearly not ready to let go of the moment. "How about Elion? Like the sun?" she offered.

He seemed to consider it for a moment, but his expression soured, and he shook his head. With a sigh, he walked out onto the balcony, distancing himself from the conversation.

Leaning against the doorway, she watched him, understanding the reason for his reluctance. His childhood had been difficult, and any talk of children brought back painful memories. The day she had told him about the pregnancy, he had disappeared for days, and she had feared the worst—that he might abandon her.

She joined him on the balcony, resting her head against his arm as they looked out over the dark forest that stretched into the distance.

"I love you, Sunny," he said softly, his voice strained. "But I can't bear the thought of being a father. How could I know how to treat a child when I never got to be one myself?"

"You'll know," she reassured him gently. "Remember when little Bea got lost, and you brought her back to our house?"

He nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he recalled the memory. Little Bea had been lost in a crowded town square, her tiny voice drowned out by the festivities. He had taken her in, made her chocolate muffins from scratch, and listened to her talk about her dreams of becoming a strong fighter.

"You see?" she said softly, "You have it in you to love and nurture this child. He's yours."

They stood in silence, simply enjoying each other's presence, but the weight of unspoken words hung between them. She rested her head against his chest, wishing he could say the words she longed to hear, but they never came.

The quiet moment was shattered by a distant howl, followed by explosions that lit up the night sky. Flames erupted in the distance, and her heart raced as the forest seemed to come alive with chaos.

"Sunny, lock the doors and shut the windows. I need to help them," he growled, already moving toward the edge of the balcony.

She clutched her stomach protectively, fear gripping her as another explosion rocked the ground beneath them. "Please, I can still fight!" she cried out, desperation in her voice.

"No!" he barked, thrusting a dagger into her hand. "The child, you need to protect the child. I need to protect you! Please!" His voice cracked, his eyes filled with rare vulnerability.

She met his gaze, nodding as she kissed his forehead. "Come back safe," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

With a final glance, he leaped over the balcony railing, shifting mid-air into his other form, and disappeared into the night, leaving her alone with her thoughts and fears.

As the chaos outside grew louder, she moved quickly, locking the doors and shoving furniture in front of them. Her hand tightened around the dagger, her instincts screaming to protect her unborn child. She allowed the darkness within her to surface, feeling its power surge through her veins as she prepared for whatever came next.

The door shook violently, and she retreated to a corner, her heart pounding as she waited for the inevitable. When it burst open, splinters flying, she raised the dagger, ready to defend herself.

But the voice that greeted her sent a chill down her spine. "Not even for me?"

She faltered, recognizing the figure that stepped into the room, his smirk sending a wave of dread through her. The man who had once been a part of her life, now stood before her, a look of malice in his eyes.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice trembling as she gripped the dagger tighter.

He chuckled darkly, swinging a piece of broken wood in his hand. "You and I both know why I'm here. You're vulnerable now, and I couldn't resist."

Her heart sank as she realized the danger she and her child were in. She tried to summon the strength to fight, but the fear and exhaustion were overwhelming.

"Please, don't do this," she whispered, desperation in her voice.

But his eyes were cold, and the cruelty in his smile told her all she needed to know. The night had taken a dark turn, and she was left to face the consequences alone.

Her voice trembled as a man approached, tension thick in the air. "What do you want?" came the strained demand, each word laced with fear.

A desperate cry echoed through the space, a name—a plea—but the response was a chilling laugh, cold and heartless. "He's not coming," the man sneered, his voice dripping with cruel satisfaction. "He can't hear you."

Dread surged through the figure, panic clawing at their thoughts. What had this man done? He was capable of anything, even the most unimaginable horrors. "What did you do to him?" The words came out shaky, barely audible.

A shrug, casual and indifferent. "He's... preoccupied. Not my concern for now, but maybe later. Right now, it's just you and me, like old times."

A protective hand instinctively moved to a swollen abdomen, the thought of losing both loved ones unbearable. The man had a way of destroying everything precious.

"I want you," the man continued, his tone softening, though his eyes remained cold, unfeeling. "We could have been a family."

"I can't leave him," the response was immediate, defiant. "I love him!"

The man's eyes flared with sudden anger, a red tint darkening his gaze. "Fine," he hissed.

Before she could react, a sharp, searing pain tore through their abdomen. She tried to scream, but the sound stuck in their throat, eyes widening in horror as blood pooled beneath them.

Her baby...her love...their child...

A scream finally broke free, raw and agonizing, as the realization of what had been lost crashed down. Tears blurred vision, the overwhelming grief of losing the life they had created together. All the plans, the dreams—shattered in an instant.

She looked up, their voice breaking into another anguished cry. How could he do this? How could he be so cruel, to take everything away?

The man knelt down, forcing the her to meet his gaze, his grip rough on their chin. "Finally, we can start anew. Without that tainted life inside you."

Shock flashed across the her face. He spoke of the child with such disdain, such contempt. This man, once loved, now spat on the memory of what could have been.

"He was my child," she choked out, tears streaming down her face.

"But that child was an abomination," the man sneered, his eyes flashing with cold fury. "We have a responsibility as purebloods to maintain the sanctity of our bloodline, and you were on the verge of destroying it." He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I'm here to put an end to that mistake."

Revulsion churned in the figure's stomach. Her child could have been a symbol of hope, proof that different worlds could coexist.

"No," she managed to whisper, hand clutching the bleeding wound. "As purebloods, our duty is to maintain peace in our community."

But the strength was fading, vision dimming, though they fought to stay conscious.

"You're weak," the man sneered. "Just like your father said, too fragile for this world."

She slumped back, the world spinning, doubling before their eyes. They tried to stay awake, clinging to the pain, to anything that would keep them grounded.

"Tell him, I love him."