Help! Five Beast Alphas Want To Breed Me!!(BL)-Chapter 199: Liquid Courage

Elián;

The sweet scent of jasmine and honeysuckle hangs heavy in the room, almost too rich to breathe in.

I’m surrounded...no, imprisoned...by petals, ribbons, and the sound of giggling girls who have sworn to make me perfect before the ceremony.

Alana hums softly beside me as she braids my hair, her fingers gentle but purposeful. Every so often, she’d slide in a fresh sprig of white blossoms into my hair, and I stare at the mirror in front of me.

Never did I think I’d ever see my hair braided. I’ve been scrubbed clean, dressed up, and now I’m being made up like I’m about to be put on display to be sold.

Two Gravemaw girls sit cross-legged by my feet, polishing my toenails with oils that smell faintly of citrus and smoke.

If beauty could kill, I’d already be on the floor.

"Wow. You look miserable!" Elien mocks in my head as we stare at our reflection and I let out a sigh.

"Tell me about it! I’ve been sitting for so long, my bum’s numb!" I whine and Alana’s voice crushes into my thoughts as she lightly smacks my shoulder.

"Don’t slouch," she murmurs.

"You’re marrying an Alpha, not going to war." She adds, and I stare up at her in the mirror.

"With all this preparation, it’s starting to feel the same," I pout, staring at my reflection. My lips are a shade too pink, my skin too glowy, my hair too tamed. I look... foreign.

Not like the rough rascal I’m used to seeing in the mirror. I look like a porcelain doll one would place under a Christmas tree as a gift to someone!

My stomach twists, and I gulp.

Alana catches the frown forming on my face and tilts her head.

"You’ll be fine, Master Elián," she says softly.

"You look beautiful." She adds, and I try to smile, but it’s weak.

"More like prime and proper," I reply and before she can reply, the door flies open with the subtlety of a thunderstorm.

Everyone jerks, and I turn around ready to bolt, but I pause when I realise that it’s Seun.

"Don’t panic, it’s just me!" He announces, as he steps inside with baby Anwil strapped to his chest in a soft sling.

His hair is wild and his grin is absolutely criminal. This rascal seems like he’s up to something...

"Seun?" Alana calls as she’s trying to remember his name, and Seun nods in approval.

"You can’t just burst into the..." Alana veins, but Seun cuts her off.

"Oh, relax," he says, waving a hand.

"I’ve seen worse. You’d be shocked at what happens in Gravemaw when weddings come around." He adds, and I can’t help my smirk as I stare at him.

What does he mean by that?

"Husband’s fixing brother-in-laws, bushes being used to make shift beds..." He begins, and instantly, I can tell something is off.

"Seun, what are you doing here?" I question and he squints at me like I’ve just asked him to solve a riddle.

"To check on you, obviously. How’s the victim feeling?" He replies and I can’t stop my chuckle.

"Victim?" Alana protests, but we ignore her.

"Nervous," I admit quietly, to Seun and he looks back up at Alana.

"Ah-ha!" He exclaims as he claps his hands.

"Then we need this." He says as he reaches into his bag and pulls out a small brown bottle, holding it up like it’s a treasure.

I narrow my eyes as I stare at it, and Alana leans forward to get a better look at it.

"What is that?" I question, and Seun grins.

"Palm wine," he replies proudly, and my jaw drops. "Liquid courage." He adds, and my shock turns into a MASSIVE grin.

"No," Alana says immediately, her voice sharp as she steps between me and the bottle.

"Absolutely not! He’s getting married in a few hours!" She adds, and I pout.

"Which is exactly why he needs it," Seun counters.

"It’s not to get him drunk, Alana. Just a sip to keep his knees from knocking together. Trust me, you have no idea how overwhelming Gravemaw weddings can be." He explains, and Alana’s face squeezes into a sceptical frown.

"I don’t think..." She begins, but I cut her off.

"Alana," I interrupt with the patience of a saint and the grin of a devil.

"You look like you could use some courage too. Here... two cups." Seun finishes for me, and I grin at him.

He produces two small wooden cups, pours a bit in each, and offers one to her. Alana hesitates, then looks at me.

"Go on," I tease, raising my brows.

"You said I need to loosen up," I add, and she sighs, muttering.

"I don’t know why I even bother."

She takes the cup, and Seun grins triumphantly as he hands me the other cup.

"To overwhelming weddings and unshakable nerves," he says as he tips the bottle to his lips and I lift my cup.

"To ridiculous friends," I reply, and he laughs.

We drink, and just as I’m relishing the taste of the wine, Kishan bursts in.

"Seun!?"

I blink at him in confusion and he bows deeply to me.

"I’m so sorry. I left for a minute and he swindled two bottles of palm wine. He’s already tipsy as it is. I hope he didn’t cause much trouble?" I explain, and my jaw drops.

I knew he was a little out of it!

"No. He didn’t. Please take him home to rest or use one of the rooms here." I reply, and Kishan nods before picking Seun up in his arms, and although Seun is giggling like a love-sick teen, he wraps his arms around Anwil and relaxes into Kishan’s hold as Kishan carries them away.

I smile as I watch them move, and my hand instinctively moves to my stomach. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

I’m definitely going to build a family Koda. Who knows... After I have my baby, and they’re grown up, they could get married to Anwil.

My smile grows at the silly thought that warms my heart and when I look up, I find Alana looking at me through the mirror.

"Seems you found yourself quite the friend." She says as she resumes with my hair, and I blink.

"Seun?"

"Hmm." She replies and I grin like a fool when I remember how he slapped Bram for me.

"I guess I have. Seun is very different. He’s kind. And funny. He’s not like most of the people I’ve ever met here. Or anywhere." I confess, and Alana smiles warmly like she feels and shares my joy.

"Hmm. You both seem to be quite the match. He seems like a handful." She replies and I laugh.

"I’ve noticed," she notes, laughing softly.

She gently places her hands on my shoulders as she stares at me in the mirror.

"Still... he carries light with him, doesn’t he? He seems like a breath of fresh air you really needed." She says, and I pause before nodding quietly.

Her smile grows and to my surprise, she hugs me from behind.

"I’m glad things are finally working out for you, Master Elián. You deserve all this happiness." She says, and I gently hold her arms as I lean into her embrace.

"I am finally getting my shot at happiness aren’t I?" I reply, and to my surprise, my stomach growls in response.

We both look down at my stomach and my brows crease.

"Do you need to eat again?" She questions and I nod skeptically.

"I... I think so..." I reply and she stares at me with wide eyes.

"Wow. Your stay at Gravemaw has helped you rack up quite the appetite." She says, but I remain quiet as I stare at my stomach.

What is going on with me? Why am I suddenly eating so much??

I haven’t developed a terminal illness of some kind... have I!??