Alpha's mate is a male?!?-Chapter 194: Marry Me.

~ONE YEAR LATER...

"Alright guys, listen up."

Kieran walks out of his office, hands casually in his pockets as he glances around at his team.

The atmosphere is relaxed, lighthearted, no urgent cases weighing them down, no tension in the air.

They’ve all settled into an easy routine, and his presence in the middle of the room doesn’t send the usual wave of stiffness through them anymore.

The detectives pause whatever they’re doing, attention naturally shifting toward him. Some lean back in their chairs, others exchange quick looks, already sensing something different about this moment.

"I know you guys have been whispering things about Ace and me. Well, today I want to come clean," he says, voice calm but carrying weight. "Ace and I are together. We have always been together."

As expected, reactions come instantly.

Some of the women giggle, hands flying to their mouths, cheeks slightly flushed. Like they’ve been waiting for this confirmation.

Gasps, playful groans of Finally! and We knew it! echo through the space.

Sam exclaims, "Oh, God! I knew it!" throwing his hands up as if he’s just won a bet.

Kieran gives them a moment, waiting as they process it, but before they get too carried away, he raises a hand. The room settles, just a bit.

"Anyway, coming out to you comes with a price," he adds, a small smirk playing at his lips. "I need help. Well... I want help."

The noise dies down, shifting into something more attentive.

"I was planning to propose to him today," Kieran continues, his voice steady, but there’s something in the way he says it that makes the room go completely still for a second. "So I don’t know how we can make this somehow... unforgettable. I mean, effective."

The gasps only grow. Before they turn and form small groups. Especially ladies.

"Oh my God..."

One of the younger detectives, practically bouncing in her seat, eyes wide with excitement, exclaims. "How about this..." she starts breathlessly, already piecing a plan together at lightning speed. "It’s almost seven p.m., right? So when Ace comes in, we put off all the lights after decorating this place into a freaking gorgeous party! He’ll step in all confused like... ’Where did everyone go?’ Then, bam! We turn the lights on, he sees everything, there’s slow music, and then you step out..." She trails off, giggling to herself.

The moment she says it, reactions flood in.

Mostly agreeing.

Kieran rubs his temple. It’s over the top, way over the top for him. But for some reason, he can already picture Ace’s stunned expression, the way his face would shift once realization hits.

It might actually work.

"He has Billie with him," Rey suddenly points out, bringing logic into the chaos. "He’d be crying the moment they step in darkness."

"Well, then how about this?" Another detective jumps in, quick to adjust the plan. "I’ll go pick Billie up right before he even steps inside. He won’t suspect anything since I play with Billie all the time."

Jun grins. "That is perfect." He’s already seeing Ace’s reaction, practically vibrating with excitement.

With that, everyone shifts gears immediately, the station turning into a quiet flurry of movement. People are already making calls, adjusting their schedules, working out how to pull this off seamlessly.

Jun, Kieran, and Rey step back into Kieran’s office for a moment.

Kieran exhales, sitting at his desk, his fingers opening and closing the ring box absentmindedly. He stares at it, the small but significant object carrying more weight than anything he’s held in years.

Jun snickers. "Dude. Is there any reason you should be this tense right now? It’s not like you don’t know his answer."

As always, Rey chimes in.

After a while, Kieran turns to them, "You’re not helping, how about you just disappear, the two of you."

"Oh Yeah?" Jun asks, but before Kieran says anything, his phone vibrates.

The moment he sees Ace’s name on the screen, his blood boils.

The second he picks up, Ace’s voice comes through, complaining.

"Oh? So you weren’t even going to call and ask if we were about to arrive? Or where we even are? Even after we haven’t arrived this late?!" Ace fires off immediately. "Even after you made me go for Billie from the daycare when it was obviously your duty today?! Not like I’m complaining that I had to come for Billie, but the fact that today you’ve decided to make me your servant and send me here and there..." He huffs. "You know what? Never mind. I Wanted to tell you that, I haven’t found other things that you Wanted, and we’re heading back."

Kieran sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose, though a smirk threatens his lips.

"Something came up," he says smoothly. "I was actually going to call and even come for you if necessary."

He hears a tiny voice in the background, and then...

"Daddy!" Billie’s small but cheerful voice comes through the speaker.

Kieran’s face softens immediately. "Yes, champ... how are you?"

"Fine!" Though his words aren’t entirely clear, the excitement in his voice is obvious.

"That’s my boy," Kieran murmurs.

Ace scoffs. "So? You went home or what?"

"No, I’m waiting for you guys," Kieran answers, leaning back in his chair. His voice drops slightly, just for Ace. "And I’m sorry for today, really."

There’s a pause.

Ace scoffs again, but there’s no real frustration in it. "Sorry won’t be able to work here," he mutters before hanging up. And Kieran can tell that he is actually not mad.

He just chuckles, as he sets his phone down.

Jun raises an eyebrow. "That went well."

A moment later, a urgent knock echoes through the office.

Kieran, leaning back slightly in his chair, flicks his gaze toward the door. His fingers, which had been idly drumming on the desk, still.

"Come in," he says, his voice steady.

The door swings open, revealing the same younger detective who had come up with the idea, and also who has been managing everything like she had been waiting just for a ’go ahead’, all this time.

She steps in with a smile planted firmly on her face, her excitement almost tangible. There’s a slight bounce in her step, as if she’s been waiting for this moment all day.

"Sir, we’re done, and seven p.m. is already here. Do you want us to prepare you?"

Prepare me?

Kieran blinks, thrown off by the phrasing. Prepare me? The way she says it makes him feel like a groom about to walk down the aisle rather than a man about to propose.

He doesn’t question as soon as he sees the way her grin widens, the way her fingers twitch like she’s barely holding back from physically forcing him into position.

He realizes that they’re taking this very seriously. And he can’t afford to ruin the mood.

His lips part slightly before he gives in with a nod. "Yes. Yes, sure."

If they want to take charge, fine. He’s willing to play along.

The moment he stands, another detective bursts in, the door swinging open with urgency.

"He is here! Ace is here already!"

Kieran freezes, for some reasons, his heart races as if he is just about to ask Ace out for the very first time.

He knows, no -- he is sure that Ace loves him as much as he loves him. They have spent years naturing their love, especially the past year, there’s no doubt between them anymore, but why does he feel nervous?!

Why has he been hesitating all this time to ask Ace to officially Marry him even when he bought the ring long ago?!

Is it because-- even after everything, after all this time, he still thinks he doesn’t deserve Ace because of how he mistreated him in the past?! And what Ace ever did was love him!

But he thinks... even if he thinks that he doesn’t deserve him, there’s no otherwise, because he can never afford to loose him, he can never afford to be without him.

With that, he moves.

The entire room reacts.

Movements suddenly sharper, whispers more hurried. The detective who had promised to take Billie practically flies out the door, heading straight toward Ace to stall him.

Inside, there’s barely time to think before the younger detective moves forward.

"Change of plan," she announces, her tone firm but laced with excitement. "The lights should still be off, and we will still hide. But you will stay." She says, refering to Kieran. "When we put on the lights, you should be the first person he sees, on your one knee."

Kieran doesn’t argue.

Good.

There’s a collective ripple of movement,detectives darting into hiding places, some behind desks, others crouching in corners, muffling laughs as the thrill of secrecy spreads through them.

They put of the lights, darkness taking over immediately.

The room plunges into an eerie stillness, a moment where everything feels suspended.

Kieran remains rooted, his breathing even but his pulse betraying him, hammering a little too hard.

The box in his hand suddenly feels heavier. His thumb brushes over the smooth surface, flipping it open, then closing it. Repeating the motion. As if this is easing his nervousness.

The silence stretches.

Somewhere near the doorway, there’s the faintest shuffle, someone shifting, maybe leaning against a desk.

A breath is held, then released, hushed excitement buzzing just beneath the quiet.

Kieran slowly lowers himself onto one knee.

It’s a strange feeling, being the only one visible in the room, knowing that the second the lights flick on, all eyes will be on him.

A faint vibration breaks through the silence.

A text.

Ace is about to step in.