Alpha's mate is a male?!?-Chapter 182: Late night call.

Kieran wishes he could tell Ace that he wants him here, that he needs him by his side.

But he can’t.

Because the moment he says those words, Ace will come, no hesitation, no second-guessing.

And that is the last thing Kieran wants. The thought of Ace anywhere near any kind of danger makes his chest tighten.

Every time he refuses to let Ace do something or go somewhere that he knows there’s danger- it’s not always because he doesn’t trust Ace. It’s not that he thinks that Ace is weak, he knows Ace can stand up for himself, fight for himself, save himself.

But he just can’t handle the thought of Ace being somewhere that risks his life.

Right now he misses him, really much even if they were together in the morning, but it feels like Ages. Whenever he is around him, he always feels like that’s it- nothing more is needed.

He clenches his jaw, pushing the longing aside.

He remembers he was on the phone, "No, not done yet. I don’t think I’ll come home tonight. I can’t believe this... we haven’t found anything about it. Total mystery." Kieran’s voice is tired, the exhaustion creeping into his bones.

He leans back in his chair, running a hand through his hair as he exhales.

There’s a pause, just a second of silence, before Ace speaks again, his voice quieter this time. "Let me come, please." The almost-begging tone makes something twist in Kieran’s chest.

He closes his eyes for a brief moment, fighting the urge to give in. "No, I’ll tell you when you can." His voice is firm, but the concern for Ace is evident. He softens slightly, shifting the conversation. "How are you? And baby?"

Ace sighs, but doesn’t push further. "We’re fine. The alphas and the elders left, they haven’t come back again. Jun and Rey are here with us, so we’re fine."

Kieran nods to himself, relief washing over him, though it does little to ease the overall tension sitting heavy on his shoulders. "That’s great."

His eyes flicker to the muted laptop in the on his office desk. The news is still running the same story, speculating about the identity of the killer. He exhales sharply. "Have you seen the news? People think Blake is the serial killer. They don’t know we got her. What do we do about that?"

There’s a brief pause before he adds, "Should we announce that we got her?" His fingers tap restlessly against the desk, his mind racing through the possible consequences of revealing the truth.

"No," Ace says, his voice steady with reasoning. "If you do, people will just panic more. If they know it’s not Blake but something else, something mysterious, it’ll be even more terrifying than what they think they know."

Kieran falls silent, considering Ace’s words. He knows Ace is right. Fear of the unknown is always worse than fear of something you believe you understand. Still, the frustration lingers.

"I don’t know if there will ever be days when I can just stay home with you," Kieran admits, his voice quieter now, filled with exhaustion. "Just be a husband to you. Without running up and down."

Ace chuckles softly, and the sound eases some of the tension in Kieran’s chest. "There’s a mysterious killer out there, and you’re thinking about just being a husband?"

Kieran huffs out a small laugh, shaking his head. "Can’t help it," he admits, then hesitates before continuing. "Oh... by the way, the mating season is almost due, and I want to finally present you to the Moon Goddess. Let her blessings wash over us. Then I’ll marry you officially." He pauses, his voice deepening with seriousness. "Do you want a wedding? Huh? A big wedding? Do you want one?"

Ace’s laugh is louder this time, genuine amusement bubbling in his tone. "Seriously, Kieran?!" He shakes his head, finding Kieran’s sudden shift amusing.

Kieran has so much to worry about, an entire pack, humans, a lurking killer, but here he is, talking about weddings like nothing else exists.

"Tell me," Kieran presses, his voice softer now, almost coaxing.

Ace exhales, the warmth in his tone matching Kieran’s. "I’ll tell you. Let me think about what I want."

"Okay," Kieran says, satisfied for now. But then his voice drops slightly, a new edge of unease creeping in. "Oh, and by the way, there’s this feeling gnawing at me. I honestly think that the moment I touch a body or go near... there’s this feeling... just a disturbing feeling that I can’t put a finger on."

Ace’s laughter fades, replaced by concern. His brows furrow as he processes Kieran’s words. "Wait, like, for real?"

"Yes," Kieran answers immediately.

Ace is quiet for a moment, his mind turning. Something about this doesn’t sit right.

"Maybe that means something, babe," Ace says carefully. "It has to mean something. Maybe, for some reason, you’re connected to the killer."

Kieran stills. "What?"

"Yes," Ace insists, his voice gaining urgency. "Please, Kieran, let me take part. We could help each other figure this out together. Just like how you’re promising to be careful, that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Come on, don’t you trust me?"

Kieran sighs, rubbing his temple. "I do, but..."

"Please..." Ace cuts him off, and Kieran knows he’s already lost the argument.

He exhales sharply. "Ugh, you’re stubborn. Okay, fine. But don’t come right now... tomorrow."

"That’s fine..." Ace’s voice is laced with happiness, and Kieran can practically see the smile on his face.

Kieran smirks at that, his own lips quirking despite the stress weighing on him. "Okay, gotta go. Goodnight. I love you."

"I love you more," Ace replies. "Take care."

"You too."

As the call ends, Kieran stares at his phone for a moment, his expression unreadable.

The weight of the night is still pressing down on him, but Ace’s voice lingers in his mind, bringing him a small sense of comfort. He sighs, taking the reports from his table and looking at them again.

Moments later, a soft knock sounds at his office door before it creaks open.

Lucy- the lady who was the reason why Ace and Kieran fought the other day steps inside, her heels clicking against the floor as she approaches with a steaming cup of coffee in hand.

Her movements are smooth, calculated.

"Sir, I saw that you still hadn’t gone home yet, so I thought I could bring you this..." Her voice is light, carrying that same flirtatious undertone she always has around him.

Kieran barely glances at the cup. He isn’t planning to drink it, but he still nods in appreciation. "Thanks. Just put it on the table."

She does, but instead of leaving, she lingers. Her gaze sweeps over him, sharp yet playful, like she’s reading him, searching for something.

Kieran ignores it, focusing on the documents in front of him, but something about her presence makes his skin prickle.

"I had some thoughts about this case, but I know you’re tired now. So Maybe I should come tomorrow." She says it lightly, but there’s a deliberate slowness to her tone, an invitation for him to stop her.

Kieran sighs, rubbing his temples. He should send her away, tell her they’ll talk tomorrow.

But something in him, some strange, nagging pull, makes him hesitate. He doesn’t want to hear her out, and yet...

"It’s fine. I’d like to hear." The words leave his mouth before he can think better of them.

Lucy’s lips curl into a satisfied smile as she sits back down, crossing her legs slowly, almost all her thighs are out of her skirt, deliberately. She doesn’t break eye contact, as if she’s savoring the moment.

But even as she sits there, speaking as though she’s discussing the case, Kieran can’t shake the feeling creeping up his spine.

His instincts are sharp, he’s always trusted them, but right now, they’re conflicted.

It’s the same unease he felt at the morgue and crime scenes. But now, there’s something else.

"Alright," Kieran says, leaning forward slightly. "Let’s hear your thoughts."

Lucy hums thoughtfully, tapping a manicured finger against her knee. "You know, I always used to watch fantasy movies. You know, the kind with supernatural creatures, magic, all that impossible stuff." She glances at Kieran, her eyes gleaming with something he can’t quite place. "I never believed any of it. Just fiction, right?"

Kieran doesn’t respond. His expression remains neutral, but he’s listening.

"But lately... with everything happening, the attacks, even with the fact that Blake was turned into a creature by her own mother..." Lucy pauses, watching his reaction, "I’ve started to wonder... what if supernatural things are real? What if we’re dealing with something beyond our understanding? What if that’s why we can’t find any trace of this killer?"

Kieran’s gaze sharpens, his mind working through her words. "You think something unnatural is at play?"

Lucy shrugs, her lips curving into a half-smile. "I don’t know. But think about it... no tracks, no scent, no evidence left behind. Not even the best human assassin could be that clean. What if... I don’t know, someone was using magic or something?" She tilts her head, observing him carefully. "It sounds crazy, but doesn’t it make sense?"

Kieran exhales, sitting back in his chair. It does make sense. Too much sense.

The thought had crossed his mind before, but hearing someone else voice it makes it feel more real.

Lucy watches him closely, satisfaction flickering behind her eyes. Yes, she thinks to herself. Let’s play with that idea, Kieran.