Alpha's mate is a male?!?-Chapter 103: "Those Two Are Really Craving Each Other!"

Only when Kieran steps outside does he notice Ace speaking to the wolves. He stands there, watching as they nod at something Ace says.

They look much more relaxed than they had a few hours ago.

Kieran can’t help but wonder what Ace must be telling them to make them nod like that, looking so at ease.

"Could this be why he left the meeting room? Or did he realize how distracted I was when we were sitting that close? Haa.., Ace. Ace, you’re driving me insane! Never in my entire life did I think I could want a man this much... no, not just want_ need him. Not just for the sake of it, but because I truly want him for myself. I want to make him a part of me, to spend every second of my life with him." Kieran exhales deeply, muttering to himself.

His eyes remain fixed on Ace, and then the memory of Ace kissing him flashes through his mind.

"And that smile... could it be because of the moment I interrupted earlier?" Jun startles Kieran, grinning.

Kieran hadn’t even realized he was smiling.

"How could you, Kieran?" Jun adds, asking.

"How could I what?" Kieran turns to face him.

"Run away from us? From everyone here?"

"I needed a break. I felt like I was losing control. I could have gone back to Ace, but I didn’t want to do that. He asked me for space, and I wanted to respect that. But as you can see, I’m still stuck in the same place. No progress_ if anything, it’s worse. I want to be with him now more than ever." Kieran explains, his voice unpredictable.

Back in those days before he left, he and Jun had grown close_ as Jun was the only person Kieran could tell how he felt about Ace, and how hurt he felt when Ace was pushing him away.

"Did you two talk?" Jun asks.

"Not really. I don’t know where to start. I don’t know if he’s changed his mind about me." Kieran says.

"So you’re just gonna wait for him to come to you and say, ’Kieran, I’ve changed my mind about you’? _Come on, man, don’t be such an ass!" Jun mocks.

"Jun, if there’s one thing I’d rather die than do, it’s upsetting him, now that there’s a thin hope because he talked to me. I won’t pressure him. Making him feel like I haven’t changed. You have no idea how much I hate myself for every time I’ve ever hurt Ace. When I think about it, sometimes I wonder if maybe... maybe I really don’t deserve him. I just wish he could see through me, that he’d believe I have changed and maybe_ just maybe_ give me another chance." Kieran’s voice is thick with emotion, his expression unreadable.

"Wow, what a revelation." Jun crosses his arms, leaning against the wall beside the window. From there, they watch Ace and Rey, who has just joined him. "Can I ask? What’s the worst thing you think you did to him?"

"Honestly? Everything. From the moment I realized he was my mate_ I assumed the worst of him. I mated him that night, marked him... and then left him in the woods, even knowing he had no idea who or what he was. And the worst part is..." Kieran groans. "Can we not talk about this?"

"If you say so. Anyway, I hope you’re back to stay," Jun presses.

"Yeah, I know I didn’t act like a leader, letting my personal issues consume me... forgetting who I am."

"You know, it’s really funny." Jun smirks. "The great almighty Alpha craving_ yearning for someone. And that someone is..."

"Okay, stop." Kieran cuts him off, but he isn’t actually mad. "Do you ever stop talking, Xiao Jun? Did you train for this? I mean, trained on how to get on people’s nerves_? Seriously, I wonder how Rey puts up with you. And the way he clings to you like a lost puppy that finally found a home..."

"What?! I’m telling him you said that!" Jun exclaims playfully.

"Please do." Kieran says simply.

"By the way, I was thinking of going back home today. No idea how things are at the hotel since we both left." Jun shifts the conversation. "I might ask Rey to escort me since Ace is clearly occupied here. Not that you’d let him walk away today, would you? You must really be craving him, Kieran. How long has it been?" Jun chuckles.

"You must really have trained for this." Kieran says, narrowing his eyes at Jun.

"For what?" Jun asks, knowing exactly what Kieran is talking about.

"For saying things that peop... ugh! Never mind." Kieran stops mid-sentence, his tone turning serious. "How are you holding up? You know, with your... dad gone?" He finds it hard to bring mr. Wang up, to Jun.

"Better. But sometimes it still eats at me." Jun exhales. "But when I’m with you guys, I feel at home. I still have parents anyways_ Marsel and Elira make me feel alive. All of you make me feel like I have a family."

"That’s good to hear. And hey, I can always be your grandfather, so if you need anything, just say the word." Kieran deadpans.

Jun bursts into laughter, especially at Kieran’s serious expression.

"You’re a psychopath, you know that?" Jun teases. "If Marsel and Elira aren’t my grandparents, then who do you think you are? Actually, you’re hilarious. I wonder if Ace has ever seen this side of you."

Kieran flinches at the thought. The only side of him that Ace knows is harsh, cold, angry, serious, commanding_ all his worst traits.

He pushes the thought away. "Do you know how long I’ve been alive?"

"Two hundred? Two fifty? Unlike Marsel and Elira... five hundred and so." Jun guesses, knowing werewolves stop aging at a certain point.

"Wrong. More than that." Kieran argues.

"By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask_ how come you don’t work, yet you’re this wealthy?" Jun asks curiously. "I even told Ace to quit worrying about college since his future husband is filthy rich. Honestly, werewolves just seem to have money out of nowhere."

Kieran chuckles, nearly laughing_ until his eyes catch Ace’s.

Ace is staring at him, an unreadable expression on his face. Maybe wondering, How is this man laughing like that with Xiao Jun? I’ve never seen him laugh. I never even thought he was capable of it.

Kieran freezes.

Jun follows his gaze, spotting Ace and Rey looking in their direction. Standing at the further end in the hallway.

Rey approaches them, but Ace stays put.

"So? What’s so amusing? You two seem to be having a good time," Rey comments.

Jun grins, walking over. "Nothing much. Just catching up."

"Oh, I see." Rey nods, but Kieran barely hears their conversation, too focused on Ace.

Ace strides toward the corridors, and Kieran finally unfreezes.

He follows.

"Go get him, tiger. Go getter!" Jun teases.

"Shut up, peacock!" Kieran throws back.

"Hey! Don’t call him that ever again," Rey playfully warns, but Kieran is already gone.

Rey watches him disappear before turning to Jun. "So? Are they making progress?"

"Sort of." Jun smirks. "I think they were making out when I went to call Kieran earlier."

"They were?" Rey sounds surprised.

"Yeah."

"And you interrupted? Why are you still alive? They didn’t do anything to you?" Rey teases. "With the way those two are craving each other, you should be dead."

"I know, right?" Jun laughs. "You should have seen Kieran’s face. For a moment, I thought he was going to dig his claws in me."

"I’m betting today won’t end before they give in into each other," Rey smirks, pulling Jun into his arms.

"You know... it kinda turned me on earlier," Jun murmurs, feigning embarrassment. "And I haven’t cooled down yet." He adds.

Rey stiffens as if Jun’s words were an invitation. He lifts Jun’s chin, tilting his face for a kiss, slowly backing him against the nearest wall.

Sensing things might go too far, Jun pulls away slightly. "Let’s go home."

"Why? It will take long to get there. I can’t hold back for that long." Rey says, his breath already intensifying. "We have our rooms in this mansion."

"No, let’s go to our secret apartment," Jun insists.

"Fine then," Rey agrees, leading them toward his car.

Jun drives, but Rey doesn’t make it easy for him to focus. They end up stopping the car on the way.

_

Meanwhile...

Kieran stands in the doorway of his room, refusing to move aside as Ace tries to pass, he had gone back in Kieran’s room to take his things that were there.

"I know you’re mad at me. Why? Because I was talking to Xiao Jun?"

"What? No! Why would I be?" Ace argues, avoiding Kieran’s eyes. He pauses, as if trying to stop himself but he eventually snaps, "You laugh with him, but you’ve always been icy with me!"

The words sting.

"Ace, that was back then_ when I used to be an idiot. And even so_ I was laughing because he was talking about you. I can’t help it at the mention of you."

Kieran steps forward.

Their distance shrinks.

But Ace doesn’t move.