Alpha's mate is a male?!?-Chapter 185: Playing with each other’s minds

Kieran’s grip tightens on the steering wheel the moment they get back in the car. "No? What do you mean no, Ace? We just dug into her past, everything, step by step. There’s nothing, not even a hint, that connects her to anything suspicious."

Ace shakes his head, jaw clenched. "Kieran, why do I feel like this isn’t you at all? Since when do you stand up and protect a stranger you’ve barely known for a few days? Why are you so desperate to speak up for her?" His voice sharpens with disbelief. "Not everyone is what they seem to be."

"Oh yeah?" Kieran’s voice rises, his patience unraveling. "Are we going there again? You still think I have feelings for that woman? Don’t you?" His irritation crackles in the tense space between them, and before he can think twice, he pulls the car to a rough stop on the side of the road.

Ace exhales sharply. "That’s not what I meant, and you know it! Don’t bring that up if you know it’s not true!" His voice is strained, anger laced with frustration. "Do you think I just woke up and decided to start accusing you? I saw it, Kieran! It made sense until it didn’t! And now, instead of thinking through it, you’re blindly defending her like she’s some saint! I’m telling you, something is off about that woman, and all you keep saying is how ’clean’ she is!"

Kieran’s muscles tenses, his wolf stirring at the challenge in Ace’s voice. "I’m saying this because what if we’re chasing shadows? What if we’re wasting time in the wrong direction?"

"Kieran, just take a second," he says, his voice quieter now, strained with exhaustion. "Think. Think about the feeling you’ve been having. The unease when you went to the morgue, the way things don’t add up. Just... think. Even Jun said it, he feels it too."

A tense silence stretches between them. Kieran’s jaw tightens as his mind races, sifting through every interaction, every gut feeling that had screamed at him but he ignored.

His wolf shifts uneasily inside him, as if sensing the truth before he does.

Finally, he exhales. "So what exactly are you suggesting?"

Ace meets his gaze, his own resolve solidifying. "I’m saying... just as she hinted to you last night, there’s magic in play here. And even if she isn’t the one directly responsible, someone she knows is. And she knows."

Kieran rubs a hand down his face, his frustration melting into a grim acceptance. "Then we need Rica and Max’s help here."

Ace nods. "Exactly. And we don’t have time to waste." He reaches into his pocket, pulling out his phone and dialing quickly.

The line clicks as Rica picks up. "Ace?"

"Sorry to bother you again, Rica, but can we meet at the pack house now? It’s urgent."

She sighs on the other end, as if she was already on the move. "Mmh... is it that bad? We were heading... never mind, Max can handle it. I’ll be there in a few minutes."

"Thank you." Ace ends the call, lowering his phone as he turns back to Kieran.

"We can’t go there together," Kieran says after a moment, his tactical instincts kicking in. "If she’s really the one behind this, then she’s been watching us closely. If we suddenly vanish together, she’ll know we’re onto her. I’ll drop you at the pack house, then go back to the station to make sure she isn’t tracking us."

Ace exhales through his nose, nodding slightly. "There’s no need for that. I can get there on my own. You should just head straight to the station."

Kieran shakes his head. "Not happening. I’ll take you there myself." His tone is firm, unyielding.

Ace tilts his head, an idea flickering in his mind. "Thinking about it... if she really wants to drive a wedge between us, why don’t we give her the satisfaction... fake it?"

Kieran frowns. "What?" freēnovelkiss.com

Ace leans forward, his voice hushed but laced with certainty. "Call her."

Kieran blinks, confused. "What?"

"Just call her," Ace insists, his eyes burning with determination. "Trust me this works," Ace continues. "Let her think she’s winning. Let her believe you need her, make it seem like I’m the one being difficult. Act like her ideas are more valuable than mine, make her feel important." His lips press into a thin line. "When I see you talking to her, I’ll pretend to get mad. You know, accusing you of wanting you. We’ll argue, and I’ll storm off. That’s when I’ll head to the pack house to meet Rica while you stay behind and keep an eye on her."

Kieran watches him carefully, searching for any hint of hesitation. "What if you actually get mad at me?" he asks quietly.

Ace scoffs, a small, unexpected chuckle escaping him. "Don’t be ridiculous. Why would I?" His voice is lighter, as if breaking through the tension for the first time in what feels like forever.

Kieran exhales, shaking his head with a reluctant smirk. "Alright." He pulls out his phone and dials, pressing it to his ear.

Ace watches closely, the weight of the moment pressing against his chest. This has to work.

The call connects, and Kieran’s voice shifts into something smoother, more controlled. "Lucy, hey... yeah, listen, I need you to come over to the location I just sent you. I could use your insight on a few things." He pauses, listening. Then he lets out a low chuckle. "Yeah... honestly, you’ve been a great help so far. Unlike someone else who’s just been getting in the way... and irritating."

Ace grits his teeth, looking away as irritation bubbles beneath his skin. Even though he knows it’s part of the plan, hearing Kieran talk like that, especially about him, stings more than he expected. But he tamps it down, forcing himself to focus.

Kieran glances at him, lips twitching at the tension in Ace’s jaw. "Alright, see you soon." He ends the call and pockets his phone.

"She’s on her way," he mutters.

Ace inhales deeply, already bracing himself for what’s to come. "Then let’s give her a show."

"Your lips are drying up." Kieran says watching them.

"Is that a way of asking for an energizing kiss."

"It is." Kieran says already leaning in.

"Okay, that’s it!" Ace says pulling away from him.

Kieran wants to argue but he knows that’s actually it. Unless they want to ruin everything.

Moments later, Lucy (Lila) arrives outside EverSweet restaurant. She arrives exactly as expected, stepping inside with an innocent, almost eager expression.

Kieran is already standing by the table, to have her pass and sit next to him, a feigned look of stress on his face.

Ace storms in a second later, his eyes blazing as he glares at Kieran. "Are you serious?" His voice cuts through the room.

Kieran raises a brow, feigning indifference. "What now, Ace?"

Ace gestures toward Lucy with a scoff. "You called her? Her? I thought you told me you don’t have anything to do with her! What is she here for? Work? You asked me to help you, and now her?" He lets out a bitter laugh. "So now she’s the one you trust? Is she even here for work or a date? You ask to home and rest and turns out you planning to call her!? Good thing I came back because you would have kept fooling with me!"

Kieran exhales, looking exasperated. "Ace, I don’t have time for this. If you’re not helping, then what else am I supposed to do? You asked to help, I let you, but all you are doing is whining and making noises in my head! Nothing actually that makes sense! So maybe it’s time I consider Mrs. Richards because she is brilliant."

Lucy tilts her head, watching the exchange with poorly hidden satisfaction.

Ace shakes his head, his voice trembling with restrained anger. "You know what? Forget it. I’m done. You wanna trust her? Fine. Do whatever the hell you want."

With that, he turns on his heel and storms out, his heart pounding.

Lucy watches him leave, a small, satisfied smirk curling at the edge of her lips.

Kieran glances at her, pretending to sigh. "Finally, he’s gone. Let’s talk."

Inside, his wolf snarls. You’re next.

"What’s wrong with Mr. Carter?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I don’t know," Kieran sighs. "Ever since he got involved in Blake’s case, he’s been acting like this. But honestly, I can’t work with someone who doesn’t trust me, someone who keeps accusing me of things I haven’t even considered."

"What exactly is he accusing you of?" she presses.

"Never mind, it’s not important," Kieran says, shaking his head. Then, as if reconsidering, he adds, "Actually, it is important... because it involves you too. He thinks there’s something going on between us."

She gasps, her lips parting slightly. "So what if there is? Why does he have to get mad about that?" she asks, tilting her head. Then, after a brief pause, a sly smirk crosses her face. "Or maybe... just maybe, he is gay, and he’s into you. Ever considered that?"

Kieran raises an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Oh God, you’re brilliant, Mrs. Richards. I hadn’t even thought of that. Maybe that’s exactly why he’s been so tense and irritated lately."

Just two people, playing with each other’s minds. Each with different motives.