Cell

I caught up to her in the corridor, my patience wearing thin. "Shauna, wait." She kept walking, determined not to engage. My frustration boiled over. "Stop dragging me into your dreams and messing with my head if you don't want me," I called out, my voice echoing off the marble walls.

She halted, turning to face me, her expression conflicted. "I'm not doing it on purpose, Cell. It's not intentional," she confessed, her voice soft but fraught with tension.

"Okay. Then we need to help you control it. Just talk to me, please," I pleaded.

"I can't," she whispered, her gaze dropping to the floor. "Because then I'd have to admit things... things about how I feel, things I'm not ready to confront. If what Sar said is true, how did this happen? Am I in love with you?"

I met her gaze steadily. "I don't know, Shauna, are you?" I asked gently.

Her eyes searched mine, desperate for answers. "Then, that would mean you love me?" she ventured tentatively.

"That shouldn't need explaining. I've told you before, I love you—in more ways than one," I stated firmly, letting my guard down completely.

"But how? We haven't known each other that long," she countered, her voice a mix of wonder and doubt.

"Love doesn't check the calendar. I know how I feel about you, and I've accepted it. Now, you need to decide if you feel the same, or if you don't. We can't continue this uncertainty—not with a child on the way," I said, my voice heavy with emotion.

I could see the turmoil in her eyes as she processed my words. "I need time," she murmured.

"Take all the time you need, Shauna. But understand, I can't keep pretending we're just acquaintances when you're all I think about," I said, the raw truth of my feelings laid bare.

With one last look, I walked away, leaving her in the hallway to make her own choices. The weight of our shared destiny felt heavier with each step, but I knew it was up to her now.

I entered her room quietly with a heavy heart, finding her curled up in bed. Sitting on the edge of the mattress, I watched her stir awake. Her eyes fluttered open, landing on me with a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you doing here?" she asked, voice groggy.

"I came to apologize," I replied softly.

"I don't want your apologies. I'm starving," she grumbled, pushing herself up against the headboard.

I noticed the breakfast tray brought earlier untouched on the bedside table. "Your breakfast's been here, but you haven't touched it," I observed, handing her the tray.

She glanced at the food with evident revulsion. "I don't know what's wrong. I'm hungry but everything makes me feel sick," she explained, pushing the tray away.

"You've been saying cooked food makes you nauseous?" I asked, trying to connect the dots.

"It's ridiculous, right?" she sighed, looking defeated.

"Not really," I said, realizing the gravity of her symptoms. "It sounds like you're carrying a Corin child. They don't take well to cooked meals."

Her eyes widened in sudden realization of why she'd been feeling so unwell. "So, what does a Corin baby crave?" she asked nervously.

"Blood, raw meat, sometimes live prey," I explained carefully, watching her reaction to ensure she wasn't overwhelmed.

Her face paled a bit at the description, but then she steadied herself, a testament to her growing strength as a leader and mother.

The scent of her, intensified by the pregnancy, overwhelmed me. My eyes flared red as I fought the primal urge that surged through me. I headed for the door, desperate for some space to regain control, but she intercepted me, her robe loosely draped.

"Where are you going?" she asked, her voice a mix of concern and determination.

"Corin men are intensely drawn to the scent of pregnant women—it's why Sar reacted the way he did. I need to leave, just until you're ready," I explained, my hand on the door handle, ready to escape.

"No, I'm tired of the distance between us. If I'm carrying your child, you should be here," she insisted, blocking my exit. I turned to face her, and she let her robe fall slightly, revealing more of herself. Her vulnerability and trust in that moment grounded me.

Overcome with a rush of affection and responsibility, I knelt before her, pressing a kiss to her belly. Her eyes darkened—a vivid red—and her teeth sharpened subtly, a sign of the Corin blood influencing her.

She leaned down, biting into my arm gently, drawing a small amount of blood. The immediate rush of color returned to her face, her vitality restored by the blood's potency.

We moved back to the bed, her strength returning with each heartbeat. There, I embraced her fully, aware of the life we had created together, feeling its presence as we connected deeper than ever before.

I was fastening the last button on my shirt when a knock came at the door. Shauna was still deeply asleep, the exhaustion from our intense moments together rendering her motionless beneath the covers. I opened the door to find Hawk standing there, an unexpected visitor at such a late hour.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, brother. Is Shauna awake?" he asked, peeking behind me as if expecting her to appear.

"She's resting," I said, blocking his view slightly. "What brings you here this late?"

Hawk shifted uncomfortably, his usual confidence tempered by a more reflective demeanor. "I didn't come for Shauna, actually. I came to talk to you," he said, his gaze serious. "I've been thinking a lot lately, about family and what it means. I realize I've never really made an effort to understand you or accept you."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by his candidness. "That's quite the admission. What changed?"

Hawk sighed, looking past me into the room briefly before meeting my eyes again. "I'm going to be a father. It's made me see things differently. I can't imagine turning my back on my child the way our father did to you. I want to be better than that."

I nodded, the weight of his words not lost on me. "Congratulations, Hawk. That's big news. You're going to be a great father."

There was a brief pause, a mutual acknowledgment of the new ground we were breaking. "You're my brother, and my child's uncle. I want to be there for you, and I hope you'll do the same for me," Hawk extended his hand, a gesture of peace I hadn't expected.

As we shook hands, Shauna stirred and wrapped herself in a sheet, coming to the door. "Is everything okay?" she asked, her voice sleepy and concerned.

"Just clearing the air," I reassured her, turning back to Hawk. "We should all get together soon. Maybe dinner?"

Hawk nodded, a genuine smile breaking through. "I'd like that. I'll leave you two for now. Goodnight."

He departed, and I closed the door, returning to Shauna. The air between us was charged with a newfound peace. She embraced me, her actions speaking volumes of her acceptance and love. We rejoined in the bed, our connection deepening, reaffirmed by the reconciliation with my brother.

Other Worlds

In the far reaches of the Solar, whispers of change rustle through the stars, propelled by tales of a future queen's unprecedented overtures of peace. Shauna, a princess with an extraordinary lineage, has captivated the realms with her commitment to uniting the fragmented worlds beyond Sentinel dominion. While some of these worlds have long resisted the Sentinels' control, thriving in perpetual discord and conflict, others have yearned for the tranquility and order that unity might bring.

Yet, not all view her aspirations favorably. Among the scattered stars, ambitious leaders eye the Sentinel powers with envy, scheming to usurp or wield these abilities themselves. As Shauna's influence grows and her acceptance as the future queen solidifies, the political landscape of the Solar is on the brink of transformation. Old alliances will be scrutinized, and the bonds of friendship within the palace walls may fray under the weight of newfound responsibilities and hidden agendas.

With the cosmos watching, Shauna's path is fraught with challenges that will test her resolve and ability to navigate the treacherous waters of interstellar diplomacy. As she endeavors to bring peace to tumultuous worlds, the very essence of what it means to be a leader in the Solar will be redefined.

Solar News 4

In a bustling newsroom filled with flickering screens and hurried journalists, the atmosphere was charged with an electric mix of excitement and tension. Across the myriad of displays, headlines flickered, each reflecting a different perspective on the most sensational news to hit the Solar in decades: Princess Shauna, the future queen, was rumored to be pregnant with Cell's child.

On one screen, a news anchor with a calm demeanor presented the supportive angle. "In what could be seen as a groundbreaking moment for the Solar, Princess Shauna's rumored pregnancy with Cell, a figure of mixed heritage, symbolizes a new era of unity and acceptance. Supporters argue that this could bridge gaps between different species, promoting a message of love and inclusivity across the realms."

Another screen flashed to a more conservative channel, where a stern-looking reporter voiced a critical opinion. "Concerns are rising across the Solar regarding the potential implications of Princess Shauna's rumored pregnancy. Critics argue that the royal bloodline should remain pure and that the future queen's alleged decision might undermine the traditional values of the Sentinel dominion."

Meanwhile, on a smaller, independent channel, a young journalist hosted a panel discussion. "The news about Princess Shauna has certainly stirred up a storm," the host said, turning to a panel of mixed species, including a Hominin and a Corin. "Some see this as a scandal that could tarnish the royal family's image, while others believe it could be a powerful statement about changing norms and acceptance."

As the panelists debated, the screen split between images of Shauna and Cell, some portraying them at official events, others captured in more intimate moments, suggesting a bond deeper than mere diplomacy. "Is this a love story or a political statement? Or perhaps, both?" the host posed to the panel, igniting a fervent discussion about the future of the Solar under Shauna's rule.

Back in the newsroom, editors scrambled, pulling up footage of Shauna's past speeches where she advocated for unity and diversity, juxtaposing these with clips of traditionalists who warned of the risks of diluting Sentinel customs. Text scrolled across another part of the screen, inviting viewers to vote on their views: "Is the royal pregnancy a cause for celebration or concern?"

As the media frenzy continued, the newsroom buzzed with a mixture of awe and apprehension, reflecting the myriad reactions across the Solar—some hailing a new beginning, others forecasting turmoil, and many simply lost in the whirlwind of a royal scandal.