Alpha's mate is a male?!?-Chapter 172: "What? You Homophobic?"

The towering glass-and-steel structure of Everton Holdings looms over the bustling streets, its mirrored surface reflecting the restless city below.

The building is sleek, modern- every inch of it screaming wealth and power. The kind of place where only the most influential step inside.

Kieran stands at the entrance, his sharp gaze flicking over the details, armed security stationed at the doors, the discreet cameras tucked into the corners of the building, the way people move in and out with calculated purpose.

He’s been here before.

Not in this particular building, but in places just like it, where power sits behind a polished desk, thinking itself untouchable.

He exhales, adjusting the cuffs of his suit. It feels strange, this fabric against his skin. He’s used to combat, to sweat, to blood. But power? Power can be claimed in many ways.

And today, he’s here to claim it his way.

With a slow, purposeful stride, Kieran steps inside.

The air inside is crisp with artificial coolness, the scent of expensive cologne and polished marble filling the vast reception hall.

A young woman behind the front desk glances up, giving Kieran a polite but guarded smile.

"Good morning, sir. How can I help you?"

Kieran doesn’t waste time. "I’m here to speak with Director Lennox."

The receptionist’s smile falters just slightly, her fingers hesitating over the keyboard. "Do you have an appointment?"

Kieran tilts his head. He could force his way in. Could make her call the director immediately. Could bend her will with nothing more than a commanding order.

But he doesn’t need to.

Instead, he leans forward just enough to let his presence press against her, not physically, but in a way that makes her feel smaller, more vulnerable. His gaze, steady and unreadable, holds hers.

"He’s expecting me."

A flicker of hesitation. A glance at the security guards stationed nearby.

Then, after a pause, she swallows and nods, her fingers moving quickly over the keyboard.

"Go straight to the top floor. The executive office," she says, voice quieter than before. "The elevator will take you directly there."

Kieran smirks. "Thank you."

He strides toward the elevator without looking back.

The elevator doors glide open with a smooth chime, revealing a private executive floor.

It’s quieter up here, no background noise of bustling employees, just the hum of power and influence.

Dark glass walls stretch along the hallway, giving a panoramic view of the city below. At the far end, two tall doors stand ominously, Director Lennox’s office.

Kieran doesn’t knock.

The receptionist barely has time to lift her head before the doors swing open, the sharp scent of expensive cologne and power filling the air.

Behind a massive mahogany desk, Lennox looks up.

For a second, there’s only silence.

Then, a smirk tugs at the older man’s lips. "Well, well... look what the city dragged back in. When the door opened without a knock, I knew instantly that it’s you. Same arrogant old Kieran."

Kieran steps forward, closing the door behind him. "Still running your empire, I see."

"Absolutely, I couldn’t retire or resign because I knew one day you’ll realise what you missed and come back. And I was waiting."

"Who said am here for that?" Kieran asks with a smirk.

~Years ago, before Kieran ever considered stepping into a structured profession, he had made an impression on Lennox, a man with power and influence in the city.

It was during a chaotic night when a high-profile hostage situation unfolded at a high-rise building downtown.

The authorities were struggling to contain it, and the criminals inside were more organized than anticipated.

Kieran, who had been in the city on unrelated business, had no intention of getting involved, until he caught the scent of fear, despair, and something far worse: the scent of blood.

He could have ignored it, let the humans handle their own mess, but that wasn’t who he was.

By the time law enforcement had mobilized, Kieran had already slipped inside, maneuvering through the building with speed and precision that no normal man should have possessed.

What followed was a series of events that left the authorities stunned.

Within an hour, the hostages were freed, the criminals were either subdued or dead, and Kieran had disappeared into the shadows like a ghost before anyone could stop him.

But Lennox had seen him. He had watched from a distance, his sharp, investigative mind unable to let the incident go.

Days later, he tracked Kieran down, intrigued and impressed.

"You don’t belong in the shadows," Lennox had said back then, standing in front of Kieran with a job offer in hand. "You could do a lot of good with the right resources. Join the force, or better yet, work under me. With your skills, I could have you leading an entire division."

Kieran had scoffed, shaking his head. "Not interested."

Lennox had persisted, reaching out to him multiple times over the years, but Kieran never accepted.

He had no interest in working for the city, no interest in being tied down by rules and bureaucracy.

Until now.

--

Kieran doesn’t waste time with pleasantries. "After a long time, I’ve decided to consider your job offer." fгeewebnovёl.com

Lennox laughs, full and hearty. "Ha! I knew it, and you just said you are not here for that. But wait, are you actually being serious? After like ten years?" He studies Kieran, trying to gauge what has changed. "What happened? Lost your perfect routes for your business? Because I don’t think a person like you can work under anyone- as an employee-- wanted to think you got fired but that is impossible in everyway."

Ugh, he’s saying a lot of nothing again,, Kieran thought...

His expression doesn’t waver. "Are you recruiting me or not?"

Lennox leans forward, fingers tapping on the desk. "You’re now willing to join the military now? Okay, I’ll just contact th..."

Kieran shakes his head. "Not the military. I want DCI."

Lennox raises an eyebrow. "DCI?"

"Yes"

"What?" Lennox narrows his eyes. "I didn’t expect that was what you were interested in, I mean you should hace just told me."

Kieran’s jaw tightens. "I wasn’t interested before, I was never. Just got forced in- by the current state of the city. I want to make sure whatever is happening to the city is solved. You know me. I wouldn’t be here otherwise, but my boyfriend lost his parents because of that thing. I’m not resting until I get this settled, and you know I will."

Lennox blinks. Of all the things he expects Kieran to say, boyfriend isn’t one of them. His expression falters for a second, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face.

Kieran smirks, folding his arms. "What? You homophobic?" His voice carries no real concern, just a challenge.

Lennox scoffs. "No, no. Of course not. I don’t have a problem with that."

"Perfect. So? Am I in?"

Lennox hesitates, considering, but then exhales and leans back. "Actually... yeah. After all, the place is vacant, Paul resigned this morning."

Kieran tilts his head. "Paul?"

"The former lead investigator. He lost most of his team and family, didn’t want to be here anymore."

Kieran’s lips quirk into a half-smile. "If the position is vacant then good for me. Wouldn’t have wanted to rip it away from someone."

"Yeah, you can start now if you want," Lennox says. "I’ll get someone to direct you to the office, after you sign some of the requirements.

Kieran nodes, "Of course."

--

Ace is still parked outside, foot tapping impatiently against the floor of the car. It’s been almost thirty minutes.

He’s been waiting for him,

Kieran must be filling out forms or sitting through some boring-ass interview, Ace thinks. Maybe even answering stupid questions like ’Where do you see yourself in five years?’ Then he will be called like in days or a week to be told that he made it in, or not.

But little did he know that, Kieran was not for that. And even if there was those interviews, he would have done them.

Ace’s phone suddenly buzzes. Startling him.

"Sunshine, wanna see my office?"

Ace stares at the message. Then blinks. Then stares again.

"Wait... what? Office? Isn’t he supposed to be doing interviews?"

He immediately calls back.

Kieran answers after the first ring. "Hey"

Ace grips the steering wheel. "What do you mean you’re ’office’?! You just walked in there!"

Kieran’s voice is calm, almost amused. "Yeah. And now I’m working. ."

Ace exhales, pressing his fingers against his temple. "Babe, that’s not how jobs work! You don’t just- wait, did you manipulate them? Did you threaten them? What the hell did you do?"

Kieran chuckles, a deep rumble over the phone. "It’s actually because of an old acquaintance. Never mind, I got the job. That’s all that matters."

Ace groans. "You’re insufferable."

Kieran hums. "Am I now? You should head back and get that plan running, baby. I’ll wait for you."

Ace sighs, shaking his head. "Fine. I’ll head back. Take care."

"You too, tell me if you need anything or any help," Kieran replies, and Ace can practically hear the concern in his voice.

"Okay," Hanging up, Ace rubs his face.

And with that, he starts the car and heads back...