Chapter 3

After a tense moment, she gave a slight nod, and Grandma let out a wild, triumphant cackle that sent shivers down my spine. But I, alone, noticed the furrowed brow and the flicker of confusion in Healer' eyes.​ "The Fertility Goddess has blessed us! She's finally sent me a grandson!" Grandma howled, rushing towards the back room. She dropped to her knees in front of the Sculpture of the Fertility Goddess.​ Healer stared at the sculpture, her gaze fixed on the serene white face of the Goddess. Then, her eyes darted to Mother's bloated form, and a look of realization dawned on her face. With a sudden burst of urgency, she sprinted into the back room, reaching out to grab the sculpture.​ Grandma leaped to her feet, blocking Healer' path. A fierce struggle ensued, filled with grunts and snarls that sounded almost animalistic. In the chaos, the sculpture crashed to the ground. A piece of the porcelain head shattered, revealing a terrifying sight - half of the face was still the white, noble visage of the Goddess, while the other half was a black, twisted visage of a demon, its eyes glowing with an unholy light like the eyes of a werewolf in the dark.​ Grandma frantically scooped up the broken pieces, muttering apologies as she clumsily reassembled the sculpture. It was as if she was under a spell, completely oblivious to the demonic face staring back at her.​ Healer, pale as a ghost, rushed back to Mother's bedside. She examined the swollen belly once more, her hands shaking violently. "This child must not be born!" she cried out. "This is not a gift from the Fertility Goddess! It's a curse - a demon ..."​ The room was filled with an otherworldly silence.​ At Healer' words, Grandma's face darkened. The air crackled with tension.​ "This child is a death sentence for your entire family. You must listen!" Healer pleaded, her voice trembling with urgency. But she underestimated the stubbornness in Grandma and Father.​ Since Healer had confirmed the child was a boy, there was no force on earth that could convince them to terminate the pregnancy. Father's patience snapped. His face contorted into a snarl, and his hands balled into fists, knuckles white as bone. "Even if it's a demon spawn in my mate's belly, it's still mine! What happens is my decision alone!" Grandma seized Father's arm. "Tilly, escort Healer home,".​ Though my heart ached with worry for Mother, I dared not defy Grandma. My legs trembled as I forced myself forward, grasping the hem of Healer' dress with a trembling hand.​ With a defeated sigh, Healer turned and shuffled out of the room. I trailed behind her. "Tilly, that thing inside your mother... it's not wolf. It's a creature born of darkness," Healer whispered. As I stared at her hunched, emaciated figure, memories of that fateful night at her house flooded my mind - the glowing eyes in the shadows, the strange markings on the walls, and the unmistakable sound of claws scraping against the floorboards.​