Help! Five Beast Alphas Want To Breed Me!!(BL)-Chapter 260: Letters 1

Elián;

Night in Nagari always feels different.

Back in Gravemaw, the night comes with the smell of damp earth and the low rumble of bears working, or shifting in their sleep.

Here, the night hums with magic... The walls themselves seem to breathe, and somewhere in the palace, serpents hiss and slither like a quiet, living lullaby.

I haven’t experienced peaceful soliditude like this palace emits. It’s so graceful in its silence and... isolation.

A home to snakes. Everything you would expect. Everything calm, orderly... mostly quiet and gentle.

I’m lying on my side on Zephan’s bed, half-dozing as I watch the faint patterns of crystal light dance across the ceiling, through the leaves and vines...

The room is comfortably cool now... thanks to my little discovery with the air earlier. The discovery that has kept Zephan and Zethar from coming in here all day.

My body finally starts to relax against the cool beddings, as my mind weakly holds on to Zephan and Zethar... as well as Elien, who seems to never want to talk to me now.

My eyes flutter softly, and then I hear it.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

I frown and blink toward the balcony where the sound is coming from, and before I can even see the source of the noise, the sound comes again.

Tap. Tap.

I sit up properly this time, heart suddenly racing as realisation sinks into me.

I know that tapping. The first time I heard it, it was a letter from...

I scramble off the bed and run quickly across the room.

I pull the curtains apart, and there, perched on the stone railing outside the open balcony doors, is a raven.

Its eyes watch me curiously, and my gaze drops to the small eather tube that is tied neatly to its leg.

My breath hitches, and my heart skips a beat.

"Koda..." I whisper.

The raven tilts its head at me as if impatient, and I quickly push the door open.

I hurry over to it, hands a little shaky, as I gently untie the tube from its leg.

The bird hops once it’s free of the letter, and ruffles its feathers proudly.

Then it stays put, watching me with beady, knowing eyes. It’s waiting for me to send a letter with it.

I move back into the room, heart pounding, as I walk over to Zephan’s work table.

I sit at the desk, and my fingers fumble with excitement and happiness as I fumble with the cork. Finally, I am able to pull out the rolled parchment inside, and I let out a breath.

Even before I unroll it, I know it’s his.

His scent is all over the paper... honey... woodsmoke, and something warm and grounding that always makes my chest hurt in that weird, aching way.

My stomach twists.... Almost like my baby recognises its Father’s scent, and I smile down at my stomach.

I smooth the parchment out on the desk, and I almost start crying the moment I see Koda’s handwriting.

His handwriting in this letter is big, bold and a little messy, like he didn’t have time to make it pretty... But still tried for me nonetheless.

I lean over the letter and read every word meticulously.

My Heartbeat. My Elián,

I hope this reaches you safely.

Gravemaw is still standing.

We are rebuilding.

The market square is almost back on its feet. The main well has been fixed, and we’re starting to patch up the homes that took the worst damage. Every day, I see our people working with their hands, their backs, their teeth if they have to. They’re stubborn. Like always.

Mother is... stable. I thought you would want to know that.

I sit with her when I can. I make her eat. I make her drink water. I annoy her until she wants to throw something at me. It’s not the same as before, but I’m holding on to what we have. I know soon enough she’ll bounce back... she always does....

Rhydian is fine. But tired. He’s been helping me with the rebuilding and trying to keep me from losing my mind.

Seun is fine. Kishan, too, and their baby, Anwil, are safe. I know you’ve probably lost sleep about that, too.

Anwil cried for hours the morning after you left. He only calmed down each time Seun brought him to our hut and laid him on the bed... that smells like. Seun joked that Anwil seems to know his third parent is missing. I think they both miss you more than they know.

Everyone keeps asking if you’re well. I tell them you are. I tell them you’re safe and that you’re being taken care of.

Whether I’m saying it for them or for myself, I don’t know.

How are you, my love?

Do you have any injuries I don’t know about? Are you sleeping well? Are you eating enough?

I hate that letters are all we have right now. I hate that I can’t just walk to you, pick you up, and see with my own eyes that you’re all right. But I’m working as fast as I can, Elian. I promise. The moment things are steady enough here, I will come to you.

Even if I have to crawl.

And there’s something else.

You’re far from home. You’re surrounded by new people, new magic, new rules. I know how that feels. And I know you need a friend.

By the time you read this, I’ll have already sent Alana.

She should reach Nagari in about two days. I trust her with my life, and I trust her with yours. She’ll help take care of you there, and she’ll give me daily updates whether you like it or not.

I miss you.

More than I thought it was possible to miss someone.

I keep thinking about the way your hand feels in mine. The way your voice sounds when you said my name. The way you looked at me when you took your vows...

Our vows keep ringing in my head.

I’ll hold on to them until I see you again.

Please write back.

Tell me how you’re doing.

Tell me you’re okay.

And if you’re upset with me for not being there... tell me that too. I can take it.

I love you, Elián.

Always. I hope you know.

— Koda

By the time I reach his name, the sob that escapes me is what lets me know that I’m crying. I sniff and wipe my eyes quickly with the back of my hand, but more tears just slip free, hot and stubborn.