Alpha's mate is a male?!?-Chapter 119: Love Birds.

Ace and Rika head back inside. Ace, with the intention of explaining to Kieran that he needs to stay for a while longer.

But as soon as he steps inside, his eyes sweep over the room, searching for him.

The stone table where they had all been gathered is still occupied, but Kieran’s towering presence is missing.

A slight frown tugs at Ace’s brows as he strides toward Jun, who is still seated, saying something to Elira and Marsel.

"Where’s Kieran?" Ace asks, leaning slightly toward him.

Jun barely glances up. "He went out, I thought he was where you are coming from."

Ace stiffens, his frown deepening. Kieran wouldn’t just leave without saying anything, unless something was weighing on his mind.

Without another word, Ace turns on his heel and heads for the exit, stepping into the cool night air.

The wind rustles through the trees, carrying the crisp scent of damp earth.

His senses sharpen as he glances around, searching for any trace of Kieran.

Then, he spots him.

Standing at the far edge of the clearing, his tall frame silhouetted against the dark treetops.

He isn’t pacing, isn’t moving with the usual controlled power that defines him.

Instead, he stands eerily still, his gaze fixed on the landscape before him. His posture is rigid, his hands clasped behind his back, shoulders drawn tight.

Ace approaches quietly, his steps soft against the grass. He doesn’t call out, doesn’t need to.

He simply walks up to Kieran and lets his fingers brush against the back of his hand before stepping into his space.

Kieran blinks, slightly startled from his thoughts, just as Ace leans in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss against his lips.

Kieran doesn’t pull away, but he doesn’t relax either.

Ace draws back just enough to search his face, eyes scanning the lines of tension around his mouth and the sharp focus in his gaze. "What’s wrong?" he murmurs. "You really look restless babe. Don’t you still don’t trust them?"

Kieran exhales, his eyes flickering away for a moment before returning to Ace’s. "It’s not like I don’t trust them or you. Ofcourse I trust you, I trust your instincts, I trust your powers."

Ace tilts his head. "Then what’s the matter?"

Kieran’s lips press into a thin line, and he exhales through his nose. "Maybe am just worried that you are somehow slipping away_ becoming really comfortable with our once enemies. You look like you want to belong here, like you love it more here. Like maybe these people are treating you greatly than I ever did, So maybe you will choose here."

"Why are we back to that topic again, Kieran. Didn’t we talk about it already? Whatever happened to us in the past_ happened and it’s not part of our future. We cannot change what happened. And I don’t understand why you would be feeling insecure that I might choose other people. Do you doubt my feelings for you now?" Ace asks.

"No, not at all. Am sorry, am being really ridiculous. Anyway, can we now go back?" Kieran asks.

Ace goes quiet, the fact that Kieran already think he is choosing other people, Ace wonders how he is going to deliver his message.

"I uh... actually I, I can’t go back today." He says.

"What?" Kieran asks, his expression exactly what Ace will think it is.

"It’s not like I’ll be staying forever, there’s something we need to clear out first then I promise I’ll go back."

"What?"

"Hunter_ his cruelty didn’t just stop inside his pack. He stirred conflict everywhere, and now Rika and her people might be in danger because all other witches hate them, they are holding grudges against them. She is worried that they might come for them and she does believe that right now they are strong enough to fight with the conflict." Ace explains.

"So you are getting yourself into another conflict with the witches?! Ace, seriously do you know how dangerous this people can be?"

"I do," he says firmly. "But they need help babe. Not just in battle, but in learning how to stand on their own. What was the need of helping them find peace among themselves if we will let others destroy them?"

Kieran’s gaze sharpens. His hands unclasp from behind his back, but he doesn’t reach for him. "I get why you have to do it, but...?"

Ace takes a step closer, refusing to let Kieran’s quiet intensity push him away. "By now you should trust that I can really overcome these things and come back to you." He holds his gaze, voice steady.

"Haven’t I always kept my promise?" He takes a breath, searching for the right words. "They need guidance, so let me help them. They need someone who can help them realize they’re strong enough to survive without another Hunter ruling over them. And if I can be that person, even just for a while, then I have to stay. And am not even planing for any conflict, we will make peace. And I’ll go back. Besides, its not like am remaining on earth and you are going to heaven, we’re both here, if it takes long, we can always visit each other."

Kieran stares at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable.

Then he speaks, voice quieter. "You always do this."

Ace blinks. "Do what?"

"Make me worry, make me sleepless." Kieran drags a hand through his hair. "And by the way! I don’t like the fact that you always step forward into danger..."

"Can I tell you a secrete about that fact? Well, never have I ever stepped forward when I don’t have a plan. If you ever see me come out and accept doing something even if it’s dangerous... then just know I have a plan."

When Kieran doesn’t speak, Ace adds, "Besides, what was I meant for if not this? So it isn’t just about them. It’s about me doing what is supposed to be done."

Kieran’s shoulders rise with a deep inhale before he exhales slowly.

"You brat" Kieran says looking away, as if hiding his emotions.

Ace chuckles.

He reaches for Kieran’s hand, intertwining their fingers. The warmth of his touch is grounding, but the tension in Kieran’s grip tells him he isn’t fully convinced.

"And you are a stubborn squirrel," Ace says, voice soft. "So tell me, you know I can’t do this without my husband’s permission." He teases. "I need to do this. But it doesn’t mean I want to be apart from you. I want you with me, always."

"Ha!" Kieran lets out a simple short laugh. "Who are you kidding? I know very well even if I say no, you will still go ahead and do it."

"Maybe because you are not my husband." Ace laughs.

"And what exactly do you mean by that?" Kieran asks raising a brow.

"You just marked, you didn’t marry me."

"Oh yeah? So tell me, do you want a grand wedding for you to make me your husband?"

"Exactly." Ace jokes, but what he doesn’t know is that Kieran is taking it seriously, and he is even already planning in his head.

"Why are you quiet? What are you thinking about?" Ace asks when Kieran doesn’t speak.

"So, what about college?" He asks.

"I don’t mind about it, as long as I don’t miss exams." Ace answers.

"So you can cheat again?!"

"Kieran! I swear to the moon goddess that next time you mention that again... I’ll make sure you regret it forever." Ace warns.

Kieran even for once laughs. "Truth hurts , huh!"

"Oh God, am not talking to you anymore." He says, pretending to be mad, walking away, only for kieran to pull him back in his arms.

"Honey" Kieran calls teasingly. At this point Ace is unable to hold back laughter.

"Did you just call me, ’Honey?!" He asks after recovering from laughter. "It just sounds so funny coming from you." He adds.

"Don’t you like it?"

"I do, it’s just that, am not used to you being romantic."

"Then brace yourself because, you will be seeing more of that side of me." Kieran says... Then adds seriously, "Anyway, If you stay, I’m staying with you."

Ace raises a brow. "Are you saying that because you want to, or because you think I’ll get myself killed without you?"

Kieran’s mouth twitches in something close to amusement. "Both."

Ace laughs softly, the tension in his chest loosening just a bit. "Alpha Kieran... are you forgetting your duties?"

"Ugh! Rey can deal with anything there."

"But you still have to go. Go talk to everyone, make sure they feel okay now, then maybe come back." Ace suggests.

"Alright..." Kieran agrees for once.

His palm caresses Ace’s cheek before holding it gently.

"I love you." He whispers, as if trying to emphasize how he really feels about Ace.

Ace has no time to reply before Kieran leans in, kissing him, a kiss that he refuses to let go.

Ace drowns in it.

~At this point, everyone who was inside has been peeking at those two love birds. Including Marsel and Elira. And Jun started it, making everyone curious, now thier faces are all red.