Alpha's mate is a male?!?-Chapter 96: Protective.

Ace grips the reins of his emotions tightly as he steps outside the mansion.

The air feels thick, heavy with unease. Wolves groan in pain behind him, their suffering ringing in his ears, but he has no choice. If there’s even a slim chance that Rehan has the cure, he has to take it.

Rehan stands by a sleek black Jeep, arms crossed, watching him with unreadable eyes.

His usual arrogance is dialed down, replaced with something softer, something Ace doesn’t trust.

"I wasn’t expecting you to agree so quickly," Rehan muses, stepping closer.

"I don’t have time to waste with what you thoughts. And don’t expect me to be now kneeling to you with ultimate politeness because of this... you want to help, so help without expecting anything!" Ace says flatly. He pushes past him and climbs into the passenger seat.

Rehan chuckles under his breath and moves to the driver’s side. "Then let’s get moving. And you can be as sure as hell that am not expecting anything in return. After all, getting to spend some time with you is enough." he muffles the last words but of course Ace hears them. And he ignores it.

The Jeep rumbles to life, kicking up dust as they speed away from the mansion.

Ace stares out of the window, his mind racing. He doesn’t trust Rehan. He knows better. But the wolves are dying, and right now, the enemy of his enemy is his reluctant ally.

And the ones left behind can’t help but worry to the core. What if they just did the greatest mistake by letting Ace go with that Alpha!

They know Ace is strong enough to protect himself, but still they are restless.

The ride is silent for a while until Rehan finally speaks.

"You don’t have to be so tense," he says, glancing at Ace. "I told you, I’m not that person anymore. I regret how things went with Kieran. It was stupid of me to try and get in his way, and so selfish of me for wanting things that belonged to him. But I am not that kind of a person anymore, even if he was here... I would apologise to him. Also, Ace, just so you know, when I say I wanted things that belonged to Kieran, you are not in that list, just as you told me once, you don’t belong to anyone." he precesses on.

~Actually, I belong to him. I belong to Kieran~ Ace thinks before he

scoffs, not bothering to look at Rehan. "Well, forgive me if I don’t believe you."

Rehan sighs dramatically. "You wound me, Ace." Then, more seriously, "That’s okay, but now that you came with me, after all. Let’s focus on what’s important. It’s true that I know a disease like that one. I’ve seen it before. If we get to the right place, I can get the medicine."

Ace finally looks at him. "Where exactly are we going?"

"The old ruins," Rehan says, his voice casual, but his grip on the wheel tightens.

Ace frowns. "Ruins?"

"A place deep in the woods, past the eastern border. Few dare to go there, but trust me, it has what we need."

Ace narrows his eyes but says nothing. He’ll judge when they get there.

-

They drive for over an hour before the road gives way to thick, untraveled forest. Rehan parks, and they continue on foot. The trees grow denser, the air damp with an eerie stillness.

Suddenly, there’s

a blur of movement_ then an arrow slices through the air, aimed straight at Ace’s head.

Before he can react, Rehan moves.

He yanks Ace back, twisting their bodies so that the arrow buries itself into his shoulder instead.

Ace blinks, stunned, as Rehan grits his teeth, ripping the arrow out with a low growl. The wound closes almost instantly, his alpha healing working at full force.

"They’re watching," Rehan mutters, scanning the trees. "Stay close."

Ace clenches his fists, his body tense. This... this feels off. Rehan moved so fast, as if he expected the attack.

Still, he follows, his mind racing.

They push forward, navigating through overgrown ruins covered in creeping vines. The air smells of damp earth and something else_ something old, metallic, almost like blood.

Then, another attack.

The ground trembles beneath them before spikes shoot up from the earth. Ace barely jumps back in time, but Rehan doesn’t move away_ he moves forward, shielding Ace with his own body as the sharp edges slice into his arms.

He doesn’t flinch.

The wounds seal immediately, his breath even, as if he barely felt it.

Ace stares, unsettled.

Why would he take the damage instead of dodging? Why does this feel too convenient?

"Are you okay?" Rehan asks, stepping closer, his hand grazing Ace’s arm.

Ace yanks away. "You don’t have to throw yourself in front of me. I can actually take anything."

Rehan smirks. "Maybe I want to."

Ace glares at him. "I don’t need a bodyguard, I’ve told you that before."

Rehan laughs, but there’s something in his eyes_ something Ace doesn’t want to acknowledge.

"And why didn’t you tell me that this happens, these sudden attacks?!" Ace asks narrowing his eyes at him.

"What did you think when I said that, people dare not come to this place?" He asks in response.

Ace doesn’t answer. He wonders if really Rehan is being nice to him out of concern or he has some other motives.

They press on.

Finally, they reach a decayed stone altar deep within the ruins. Strange symbols are carved into the walls, glowing faintly in the dim light.

Rehan steps forward, running his fingers over an old wooden chest. With a single push, it creaks open, revealing vials of thick, dark liquid.

"This," Rehan says, lifting one, "is what we need."

Ace eyes it warily. "You’re sure?"

Rehan smirks. "Would I go through all that trouble if I wasn’t?"

Ace exhales, his shoulders stiff. Was it just kept there for them?! He has so many questions, but he pushes them down.

Something still feels off, but for now, he has no choice.

He takes the vial.

It’s time to return.