Adrian grabbed Celine's hand with force, pulling her inside, his eyes blazing with anger. He pressed her gently but firmly against the wall, his voice low and harsh.
"Celine… why did you go outside?"
How many times do I have to warn you , "You know it's dangerous… I told you to stay inside, yet you went out on your own, without my permission."
Celine began to cry, her hands trembling as she reached for him.
"Please… forgive me, Adrian," she whispered between sobs. "I couldn't control myself… I just wanted to feel the wind…", "I just wanted fresh air".
Suddenly, Celine froze mid-step, her hands clutching her stomach as a sharp, overwhelming pain surged through her. Her eyes widened in fear and surprise. Adrian's anger instantly vanished, replaced by panic and concern as he realized what had happened.
"Adrian…!" she cried out, her voice trembling with fear and pain.
Adrian spun to her side instantly, his heart hammering. "Celine? What's wrong?" he asked, panic rising as he saw her doubled over, eyes squeezed shut, face pale and contorted.
"I… it hurts… it's so strong…" she moaned, her hands gripping her belly as though holding the child inside could somehow ease the agony.
Adrian's golden eyes widened, his jaw tightening. "Celine! Talk to me!"
Her fingers dug into his arms as she trembled, gasping through the pain. "Adrian… it's happening… I'm…I I can't… , I can't breathe".
The panic in her voice and the intensity of the contractions jolted him fully awake. "Celine… I'm here. I've got you. Breathe. Breathe for me."
She shook her head through gritted teeth, sobbing. "I… it hurts… I'm… I'm scared…"
Adrian's hands slid around her, lifting her carefully. "Shh… don't be scared. You're safe. I'm right here. I won't let anything happen."
But the pain only grew, her strength faltering. She cried out again, the world spinning around her. Adrian felt his heart break seeing her like this. "Celine! Look at me! Open your eyes! I'm right here. I'm not leaving!"
With her hands still clutching her stomach, Celine squeezed her eyes shut, trembling violently. Adrian gritted his teeth, urgency surging through him. Gently but firmly, he lifted her into his arms, holding her close against his chest.
"I've got you, love. I've got you," he whispered fiercely, his voice a grounding anchor amidst her panic. "We're going to the hospital. Stay with me, Celine. Breathe… breathe!"
She whimpered, "Adrian… it hurts … I can't…"
"You can," he said, his tone both commanding and tender. "You're the strongest woman I know. You've carried this child this far, and I'm here. I'm not leaving your side. Open your eyes… look at me. I'm here. I'm right here."
The streets passed in a blur as Adrian drove the car in high speed, but carefully, each move measured against the rhythm of her pain. Her hands clutched him tightly, nails digging into his shoulders, her cries mingling with the cold night air.
"Open your eyes , Celine! I'm here! I'm here!" he repeated, over and over, each word a lifeline, a promise that no matter how fierce the pain, no matter what came next, he would not let her—or their child—be alone.
Adrian burst through the hospital doors, carrying Celine in his arms, his every movement precise and urgent. The cold night air clung to them, but his focus was entirely on her, on the child, on getting them both to safety.
"Help! Please, over here!" he shouted, his voice carrying through the lobby as nurses and doctors rushed toward them.
Celine's hands clutched his shoulders, her face pale and slick with sweat. "Adrian… it hurts… it hurts too much…" she gasped, her voice trembling.
"I know, love, I know," he murmured fiercely, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. "Stay with me. Focus on my voice. You're strong. You're going to be fine. I promise.
A team of medical staff immediately surrounded them, guiding Adrian toward a nearby delivery room. "We need her on the bed, now!" one doctor instructed, helping ease Celine down gently.
Adrian remained at her side, his hand never leaving hers, his other hand resting protectively on her shoulder. "I'm right here, Celine. You're not alone. Not for a second," he said, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at his chest.
The contractions came faster now, each wave sharper than the last. Celine cried out, trembling, tears streaming down her face. Adrian bent close, whispering softly into her ear, grounding her with his presence.
"Breathe with me, love. In… and out… slow… steady…" he coached, counting with her as the doctors prepared the room.
When the pain peaked again, Celine buried her face against his chest. "Adrian… I… I'm scared…"
"You don't have to be. I'm right here. Every step of the way," he said, tightening his hold, pressing his forehead to hers. "You and our child… we're going to make it. I promise."
The medical staff worked quickly, moving efficiently around them. Adrian held her hands, whispered encouragements, and remained her anchor through the waves of pain.
As Celine screamed, the hospital lights above flickered violently, as if the very energy of the room bent under the power being born. Dr. Lucian Hawke froze mid-motion, his instruments rattling on the tray. Nurses exchanged panicked looks, whispering prayers under their breath.
Shadow, waiting anxiously outside, howled—a deep, echoing cry that shook the walls. Adrian's eyes glowed gold, his wolf side restless as he gripped Celine's hand tighter.
Then, suddenly, the ground itself trembled. The machines beeped wildly, not because of malfunction but as if something greater interfered. Windows rattled, the lights dimmed, and a strange wind swept through the sterile hospital room though no door had opened.
Celine's body shivered as she pushed one final time, and then… silence.
A cry pierced the air—powerful, unlike any newborn's cry, a sound that made every hair on Adrian's body rise. The baby's voice wasn't weak, it was commanding, resonating like the call of an Alpha.
Adrian's breath caught as he looked at the infant. The baby's tiny chest rose and fell with power, and across his shoulder blade glowed a faint, silvery mark—like the crescent moon bound with a claw mark. It pulsed faintly with light, as though alive.
Dr. Lucian Hawke Witnesses a Mystical Mark :
The newborn's cries echoed softly through the quiet hospital room. Celine lay exhausted, clutching her baby close, while Adrian stood protectively beside her, golden eyes scanning the room nervously.
Dr. Lucian Hawke leaned closer to examine the infant, curiosity and concern mixing in his piercing gray eyes. He hesitated, swallowing. "Adrian… I don't mean to alarm you," he said cautiously, "but… there's something unusual on the baby's shoulder. It looks… like a mark."
Adrian's hand instinctively covered the baby, his expression unreadable. "A mark? Nothing to worry about. Babies sometimes have birthmarks," he said smoothly, voice calm but firm.
Dr. Hawke studied the infant carefully, tilting his head. "It's… very precise, and it seems almost… alive. I've never seen anything like this. Are you sure it's nothing?"
Adrian's jaw tightened slightly, his gaze flickering between the doctor and Celine. "Its actually nothing, Don't overthink it."
Dr. Lucian Hawke adjusted his glasses, his sharp gray eyes lingering on the infant's shoulder for a moment longer. The faint shimmer of the mark caught the light, pulsing subtly, but Adrian's calm yet protective presence made him pause.
"Alright," Dr. Hawke said finally, voice measured, though a subtle edge of unease lingered. "If you say it's nothing, I'll take your word for it. I trust your judgment, Adrian."
Adrian nodded, his gaze unwavering, golden eyes softening as he looked down at Celine and the baby. "Thank you, Doctor. That's all we need right now—peace and care."
Dr. Hawke glanced one last time at the shimmering mark, a frown forming briefly on his face. Though he didn't fully understand it, something inside him whispered caution. Shaking his head slightly, he straightened, voice steady.
"I'll leave you two to rest," he said. "Call me if anything… unusual happens. For now, focus on recovery."
Adrian offered a small nod of thanks as Dr. Hawke stepped toward the door. He paused, hand on the handle, casting a last glance toward the baby. There was unease in his gaze, subtle but undeniable. Then he quietly exited, leaving Adrian and Celine alone in the softly lit room, the baby's faint energy humming around them.
Celine, drenched in sweat, cradled the child weakly, her eyes wide with awe and fear. "Adrian… what… what is that on him?"
Adrian swallowed hard, voice breaking between pride and fear. "It's a mark… a mark of prophecy. He's… the Chosen One."
As if to confirm Adrian's words, the hospital lights exploded with a burst of brightness before stabilizing, and the cry of wolves echoed faintly from the distance outside—even though no wolves were near the city.
Celine exhaled shakily, curling closer to the infant. "Do you think he noticed?" she whispered.
Adrian's hand covered hers, a firm, protective presence. "He saw something… maybe. But he won't interfere. Not while I'm here. This child… our child… is safe with us".