Alpha's mate is a male? Chapter 28: Letter to Xiao Jun

It's been days since Ace started exploring his powers.

Under Marsel's guidance, he's learned to channel the energy tied to his soulmark, and with every practice, every mont of focus, he feels himself growing stronger.

At first, it was chaotic, his flas flickering wildly, but now they burn steady, controlled.

Ace marvels at the progress he's made, though a part of him wonders if it will ever feel natural, like breathing.

With days passing , full moon has fast approached.

The full moon is due tomorrow, and even though Ace has never shifted before, his body knows what's coming.

His senses are sharper, his emotions more intense. He's restless, pacing the confines of the room that has beco his sanctuary.

The cabin has shifted from feeling like a temporary refuge to sothing almost familiar.

The simple room, with its worn wooden floorboards and sparse furniture, now feels like his own space.

He's arranged the few belongings he has—clothes folded neatly on a chair, the charred twig from his first successful practice resting on the windowsill.

Despite the growing tension in his body, the room offers him a sense of security he hasn't felt in years.

He sits at the small desk by the window, staring out at the space , watching nothing, bored __ His mind drifts to Xiao Jun, the one person who's always been there for him, even when Ace couldn't find the words to explain himself.

Xiao Jun never asked for more than Ace was willing to give.

He simply stayed, grounding Ace with his quiet presence and unwavering loyalty.

But now, miles away and shrouded in secrecy, Ace feels the weight of their separation more than ever.

It might not be that romance feeling__since his romance feelings shifted to Kieran , but still Xiao Jun ans almost everything to him.

He pulls out a piece of parchnt and a pen, his hand trembling slightly as he sets them on the desk.

He hesitates, staring at the blank page. Why is he writing this? What is he hoping to accomplish? This might just hurt Xiao Jun even more.

Maybe it's the growing pull of the moon, the way it strips away his defenses and leaves him raw.

Or maybe it's the guilt he feels toward Xiao Jun . Either way, he knows he has to say Sothing to him, after all he just disappeared suddenly.

He cannot use the phone because anyone can track that.

He takes a deep breath, steadying himself, and begins.

'Jun,

It's been a while since we last spoke, and I wish I could say that things are easier now, but they're not. They're different, though. I'm...different. I'm not even sure I recognize myself anymore.

There's so much I want to tell you, but I don't even know where to begin. I feel like I'm caught between two worlds, neither of which feels entirely mine. And yet, I can't seem to let go of either.

I think about you all the ti, Jun. About the way you always knew how to calm down, even when I was a complete ss. About the way you believed in when I couldn't even believe in myself. I miss that. I miss you.'

He pauses, his chest tightening. He doesn't want to admit how much he's struggling, how afraid he is of what's to co. But if there's one person he can be honest with, it's Jun.

'The truth is, I'm scared. Scared of what's happening to , of what I might beco. Scared of losing myself in all of this. But I'm trying, Jun. I'm doing everything I can to hold on to the parts of that still feel real.

I wish you were here. I know I have no right to ask that of you, not after everything, but I can't help it.

You're the only person who's ever made feel like I could face anything, no matter how terrifying.

I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, but if there's one thing I'm certain of, it's this: you're the reason I've made it this far.

I'm sorry for always hurting you , it's not an excuse when I say hurting you is not intentional.

I know we will et again, and maybe I can tell you everything because you deserve to know.

Don't worry about , please. Am fine , totally fine , focus on your life because it's more important.

ACE,,,'

He sets the pen down, his hand aching. The letter feels incomplete, but he doesn't know how to finish it.

Instead, he folds it carefully and tucks it into his pocket, vowing to find a way to get it to Xiao Jun.

•○•

Else where,,,

Far from the cabin, in the heart of his sprawling estate, Kieran stands by the window of his study, staring out at the moonlit grounds.

The full moon is nearly here, its silvery glow casting an otherworldly light over everything.

He clenches his fists, his frustration simring just beneath the surface.

Ace is out there, alone, and the thought eats away at him.

He's tried to convince himself that Ace is fine, that he's strong enough to handle this on his own, but his heart tells him otherwise.

Kieran can feel Ace's emotions faintly, like a whisper at the edge of his mind.

There's fear, determination, and sothing else he can't quite place. It drives him mad, not knowing what Ace is going through, not being able to do anything.

Xiao Jun hasn't showed up in two days since he left , he always ca back in a day but now he is gone for too long.

Kieran wonders if Xiao Jun has given up.

He wonders if he should give up too , but the restlessness won't let him .

He has been having intense dreams , scent and visions about Ace , but his location never clear.

"I should have trusted him." He whispers to himself. "With everything that is happening now , maybe he was ant to help , help get control over everything. Maybe the power he has was ant for this very reason , but I..." his words get stuck when he hears commotion outside.

"Ugh! Not this again!!" He groans heading out.