Help! Five Beast Alphas Want To Breed Me!!(BL)-Chapter 305: Arrival

Rhydian;

The hammer in my hand feels heavier than it should.

Not because my arm is tired... or because the work is hard.

The hammer is heavy because finally, my body is starting to relax. We’ve made incredible progress and with how diligent everyone has been, in the next month or a few days more, Gravemae will be back to its former glory.

That realisation hits me mid-swing, and I almost laugh at myself for it. For how at home, and happy I have been these past few days.

I drive the nail into the beam and step back as Koda braces the other end with dirt-decorated muscles flexing as we work.

The frame of the new storage house is finally standing straight, no longer leaning like it might collapse if the wind so much as sighs in its direction.

"There," Koda says, grinning.

"That one’s not going anywhere," I add, and Queen Cassia straightens beside us, brushing dust from her palms.

Her hair is pulled back, loose strands escaping to cling to her temples, and there’s dirt on her cheek.

Koda notices.

He always does.

"Well done," she says, with a warm pride in her voice. "You two work well together." She adds, and Koda chuckles.

"That’s because he listens." He replies, and I snort

"Only when you’re not being difficult... and you make obedience easy," I reply, and Queen Cassia laughs, a real, open sound, that loosens something in my chest.

The sound of her laughter still catches me off guard sometimes. Not because she rarely laughs— no, this woman laughs all the time.

Her laughter always catches me off guard because it feels... safe.

She looks at me and can see me staring, then she passes me a small smile.

"Thank you for working with us, Rhydian. We do not take it for granted. You’re one of us now." She whispers, and my heart tightens a bit.

"Gravemaw has always been your home. Now, your place here is not debatable." She adds, and a smile grows on my face.

I bow belly to her, and Koda pats my back proudly.

"Thank you, Mother..." I whisper before I realise it.

We all freeze, and she gasps. She quickly pushes past Koda and wraps me in a bone-crushing hug.

"Oh, honey, yes!! It’s an honour to be called Mother by you!" She exclaims as she pats my back excitedly and I look up at Koda.

He laughs, and I join him with a chuckle.

"Let me go tell everyone one of my sons has accepted me!" She says happily and I watch as she rushes off.

Koda closes the space between us and stands beside me.

"It is a blessing to have you here, brother. I’m glad you didn’t leave me alone." He says calmly as I smile before turning back to the work we just finished.

We both stand there for a moment, surveying our work. Around us, Gravemoor hums with life. People move in and out of half-rebuilt spaces, voices overlap, tools clank, and children dart between adults like sparks.

I hadn’t realised how starved I was for this until now. Starved for the sense... of family.

Queen Cassia returns, wiping her brow with the back of her wrist.

"I’ve told them. We’ll celebrate that and our almost complete success tonight." She says happily and I smile at her.

Glad that she’s no longer worrying about her lost beast.

She looks around us and huffs as she rests her hands on his hips.

"I should fetch more planks. This wall will need reinforcement before nightfall." She says, and I marvel at how a queen has allowed herself to keep working like a commoner.

Like the rest of us, she’s covered in dirt, exhausted and sleep-deprived.

She only eats when we do and works until we force her to rest. I see where Koda gets his stubbornness from.

"I’ll go," I say immediately, and she glances at me, amused.

"You’ve already been hauling timber all morning." She says, and I raise a brow.

"And?" I shrug.

"I’m not broken yet," I add, and Koda smirks.

"Debatable." He teases, and Queen Cassia gives me that look again.

The one that isn’t judgmental or assessing or sharp. Just... fond.

"You don’t need to prove your strength here, Rhydian," she says gently.

"Not to anyone." She adds as she gently touches my arm, and I swallow.

The words land deeper than she knows.

Back home, I always had to... ALWAYS

I nod, because nodding is easier than explaining the way my spine instinctively straightens when a woman speaks with authority. Easier than admitting how strange it still feels to be told I don’t have to earn my place through endurance.

She turns to leave for the woods, then pauses.

"Actually," she says, looking between Koda and me

, "You both look like you could use water. Sit. I’ll bring it." She says, and before either of us can argue, she’s gone.

Koda leans against the beam and exhales.

"She’s good for this place." He whispers and I nod, as I watch the chubby woman weave through the crowd of workers with a smile.

"She’s good for anyone," I reply, and he studies me from the side of his eyes.

"You’ve fallen into her warmth." He teases, and I scoff. Knowing denial is futile.

"Hard not to," I reply as I lower myself onto a nearby crate, wiping my hands on my Krompa.

For a moment, neither of us speaks. There’s no need to fill the silence. It’s comfortable. Rare. Especially with my older brother.

I think, quietly, that this must be what it feels like to belong somewhere without worrying about the cost.

When Queen Cassia returns, she hands each of us a cup. The water is cool and clean. Exactly what I needed.

I drink deeply, not realising how thirsty I was until my throat stops burning.

She sits on the crate opposite me, skirts gathered carefully, and she sighs.

"It’s good to see Gravemaw like this again. The people are in good spirits." She says, and I nod as I look around.

"It’s because of you," Koda says, and she shakes her head in disagreement.

"It’s because of all of you." She counters, and her eyes flick to me, and something in her expression softens.

"You’ve helped more than you know, Rhydian." She commends again, and I feel heat creep up my neck.

"I just... did what needed doing," I mumble, and she smiles.

"That’s usually how it starts." She replies, and I look away, embarrassed.

Koda just watches the exchange with quiet understanding.

For a moment, it feels like we’re just three people. Not rulers. Not legacies... And with no burden of responsibilities dragging behind us.

Just... people.

Then a sound rents the air.

Wheels.

Heavy ones.

The rhythmic hum of Gravemoor pauses. Voices falter mid-sentence, and Queen Cassia rises slowly wondering what’s wrong.

I frown and turn toward the road as one carriage approaches.

My stomach drops instantly.

The banners flutter first.

Deeply burned in my memory and silver-threaded. The wolf sigil stitched so neatly it almost hops off the flag.

Howleroot.

My fingers tighten around the cup, and Koda instantly steps closer.

Another carriage follows. Then another. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

They roll in with practised precision, polished wood catching the light, with guards flanking them in formal formation.

This isn’t a visit.

It’s an arrival.

I rise slowly, with dread creeping up my spine.

Queen Cassia’s posture changes instantly. Alert... Assessing.

Koda swears under his breath.

"That’s not subtle."

The lead carriage stops, and the door opens.

The world narrows to the single figure stepping down onto Gravemaw soil, and with her arrival, my joy departs.

Alpha Liandria.

My "mother".

Her silver hair is pulled back in an unusual braid, with gold threaded through the silver strands.

Her cloak is extravagant, and her boots are polished to perfection.

Her expression is unreadable in the way that used to make my stomach twist as a child... And still does.

Happiness drains from my body like blood from a wound.

"What is she doing here?" I mutter, barely aware I’ve spoken.

Koda looks at me sharply.

"Rhyd—"

"I didn’t call her," I add with my heart hammering now. "I didn’t send word. She shouldn’t—"

Queen Cassia’s hand then rests on my shoulder. The touch is steady. Defensive.

"Breathe," she whispers quietly.

"You don’t have to face this alone." She adds, and the words almost undo me.

My mother’s gaze finds me across the clearing.

It’s sharp. Immediate. Possessive.

Her lips part, just slightly, as if surprised to see me standing where I am.

Dirt on my hands. Sweat on my brow. No luxury. No glamour.

No... perfection.

Something unreadable flickers across her face before she hides it away, and I swallow as she begins walking toward us.

Each step feels like a drumbeat in my chest.

I remember kneeling at her feet, small and shaking, waiting for approval that never came. I remember standing straighter every year, hardening, sharpening, becoming what she demanded because it was the only way to survive her gaze.

And now here she is. In this place. In this peace...

My jaw tightens.

Queen Cassia steps half a pace forward, subtly placing herself between me and the oncoming storm without blocking my view.

Queen first. Mother second.

Mother stops a few feet away and inclines her head. "Queen Cassia."

Queen Cassia returns the gesture, cool and polite.

"Alpha Liandria. This is... unexpected."

"Circumstances required my presence," Mother replies, and I swallow.

Her eyes never leave mine.

"I came for my son." She says, and the words hit me like a brick to the face.

WHAT!??