Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 132: Demon Baby

Chapter 132: Demon Baby

ADRIAN’S P.O.V.

The castle felt unnervingly quiet as Juliette and I followed Elizabeth toward Eldur’s nursery. It wasn’t the absence of sound but the tangible anxiety in the air, as if the walls themselves were bracing for what awaited us. Juliette walked beside me, her arms folded tightly across her chest.

"Why does it always feel like we’re marching to our doom every time we come to check on him?" she muttered, shooting me a look that was equal parts exhaustion and annoyance.

"Because we are," I replied, my voice smooth and unhurried despite the situation. "But doom has a strange way of growing on you. Like moss."

She gave me a side-eye. "You’re comparing my sleepless nights and shattered nerves to moss?"

"Not just any moss, my dear. The resilient kind that thrives despite adversity."

Juliette snorted, shaking her head. "You’re insufferable."

"I’m charming," I corrected with a wink, earning a small, reluctant smile from her.

As we rounded the corner, Elizabeth glanced back at us. Her expression was grim. "He’s worse today," she said quietly, her tone apologetic as though she were personally responsible for the chaos that Eldur often unleashed.

"Worse?" Juliette groaned. "Last week, he turned Leonard’s hair green and Adam’s boots into vines. How do you get worse than that?"

Elizabeth sighed. "You’ll see."

********

When Eldur first arrived at the estate, I had been confident in my ability to handle him. After all, I was Adrian Daegon, the first vampire with centuries of experience managing everything from unruly coven, crazy ex-girlfriend to rogue werewolves. What challenge could a two-year-old possibly present?

As it turned out, I was hopelessly naive.

The first night, Eldur’s powers revealed themselves in the form of shadowy tendrils that snaked through the halls, twisting into shapes so grotesque they left even me unsettled. Teresa, fierce and sassy as she’d become, screamed loud enough to rattle the chandeliers when one of the shadows morphed into what looked like a fanged serpent slithering toward her.

Juliette had tried to calm her, though her own voice trembled. "Teresa, it’s fine. They’re just... shadows."

Teresa had glared at her, clutching Mai and Ollie protectively. "Shadows don’t have teeth, Juliette!"

Lucian, being blind, had been spared the visual terror, but even he hadn’t escaped unscathed. The oppressive energy that filled the castle during Eldur’s episodes was enough to unsettle anyone. "If you all could stop screaming," he’d grumbled once, "that would be great. Some of us rely on our ears, you know."

Elizabeth had been the one to finally explain Eldur’s nature to us. "He’s a wizard with a wolf demon inside him," she had said, her tone grim but patient. "Until he’s old enough to control his powers, things will... not be normal." We only knew he carried Raivo’s spirit, no one knew he was a wizard too because he didn’t have the distinct scent witches carried.

"Normal is putting it mildly," Leonard had chimed in, clutching a blanket like a shield. "I saw my own reflection in one of his shadows, and I looked dead. Dead! I don’t need that kind of existential crisis in my life. I shouldn’t have come back here."

"Existential crises build character. You’re lucky you weren’t even here for his first night in the castle." I replied, though even I felt a chill in my veins that night.

Elizabeth pushed open the nursery door, and we stepped into the dimly lit chaos. The room was thick with oppressive darkness, the kind that seemed to have weight and presence. Katrina stood in the center, looking utterly defeated as she cradled Eldur, who was thrashing and screaming in her arms.

Objects floated erratically around the room: toys, books, and—concerningly—a candlestick that was glowing with a ghostly flame. Windows rattled in their frames, and a deep, guttural growl echoed faintly, though there was no visible source.

"Ah, the usual welcoming committee," I said dryly, stepping inside.

Katrina shot me a desperate look. "Do something, Adrian. He’s been like this for an hour. My arms are numb."

"Give him to me," I said, my voice calm despite the chaos.

She hesitated. "You’re sure? He bit me earlier."

"I’ve handled worse."

As soon as I took Eldur into my arms, he let out a wail that sent a shiver down my spine. Shadows lashed out from the corners of the room, striking the walls and leaving visible scorch marks.

"Shh," I murmured, holding him close. "Eldur, my little storm, what’s troubling you?"

For a moment, the shadows paused, as though they were listening. Eldur sniffled, burying his face in my shoulder, but the oppressive darkness didn’t dissipate.

"He’s not calming down," Juliette said, her voice tight.

"I noticed," I replied smoothly. "Perhaps you’d like to sing him a lullaby? Your voice might terrify the shadows into submission."

"Adrian," she snapped, though there was a flicker of amusement in her eyes.

Lucian and Teresa entered the room then, Teresa clutching Mai and Ollie. She looked wary, her gaze darting to the floating objects. "Is this a bad time?"

"It’s always a bad time," Leonard quipped, peeking in from behind them. "But hey, at least it’s entertaining."

"Entertaining?" Teresa glared at him. "If Mai starts doing this, I’ll personally hold you responsible, Leonard."

"Me? What did I do? I wasn’t even around when your baby got her demon." Leonard cried and Teresa rolled her eyes.

Lucian chuckled softly. "Mai’s demon is dormant. The moon goddess assured us it wouldn’t awaken anytime soon."

"And if she’s wrong?" Teresa pressed, her voice tinged with fear.

I turned to her, my tone gentle but firm. "Then we’ll handle it, Teresa. Just as we’re handling Eldur. You’re not alone in this."

She met my gaze, her expression softening slightly. "Thank you, Adrian."

"To set the records straight, the moon goddess is never wrong" Juliette chimed in.

"Besides," I added with a smirk, "Mai could never cause as much trouble as Eldur. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime storm."

"Storm is putting it lightly," Katrina muttered, rubbing her sore arms.

Eldur let out another wail, and the shadows surged again. Juliette cursed under her breath as a toy horse narrowly missed her head.

"Leonard," I said, my tone deceptively calm. "If you’re not going to help, kindly step outside before you’re impaled by a flying block."

Leonard held up his hands. "Fine, fine. No need to threaten me with a wooden death."

As he retreated, I turned my attention back to Eldur. His tiny hands gripped my shirt, his red eyes glowing faintly with Raivo’s influence.

"Eldur," I said softly, my voice steady. "Look at me."

He did, his expression still troubled but less frantic. "I know it’s hard," I continued. "You’re strong—stronger than all of us—but you don’t have to let the darkness control you. You’re more than Raivo. You’re my son."

The shadows hesitated, then slowly began to recede. The objects floating in the air dropped to the floor with soft thuds, and the oppressive darkness lifted, replaced by the warm light of the nursery’s chandelier. Eldur’s eyes returned to their natural sky blue color.

Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.

"You did it," Juliette said, her voice filled with awe.

"Of course I did," I replied, my tone light. "I’m Adrian Daegon. Nothing is impossible for me."

Lucian snorted. "Modest as ever."

"Confidence is a virtue," I said with a grin, cradling Eldur closer.

As the tension in the room eased, Teresa looked down at Mai, who was peacefully sucking her thumb. "I just hope she stays this calm. I don’t think I can handle another Eldur."

Lucian wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "We’ll face whatever comes, Teresa. Together."

I nodded, meeting her gaze. "And you have me as well. Mai and Ollie are as much a part of this family as Eldur."

Teresa smiled, a flicker of hope returning to her eyes.

Leonard peeked back into the room, a cautious grin on his face. "Is it safe now? Or should I start drafting my will?"

Juliette rolled her eyes. "Get in here, Leonard. And try to be useful for once."

"Useful?" he echoed, stepping inside with exaggerated caution. "Darling, I’m the glue that holds this chaotic family together."

"More like the loose screw," Elizabeth muttered, earning a laugh from the group.

As the laughter echoed through the room, I looked down at Eldur, who was now dozing peacefully in my arms. Despite the chaos he brought, he was worth every moment. Just like the goddess said he would.

"You’ll grow into your power, little one," I whispered, brushing a kiss against his forehead. "And when you do, the world won’t know what hit it."

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