Alpha's Human Mate - Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Like a chastised pup, Mew followed his mate down the hallway towards the living room, where Gulf's parents awaited, anger radiating from them like a storm cloud.
"Gulf," said Thanayong, his voice low and thunderous as he locked eyes with his son.
"Gulf, my boy," Ampha chimed in, maternal warmth breaking through the tension as she embraced her son tightly.
"Mae, Pho, why are you back so early?" Gulf asked, genuine confusion flickering across his face.
"Well, someone was kidnapped for nearly a month, followed by another month of silence! Do you really expect us to just sit idly by?" Thanayong spat, his anger palpable as he glared at Mew, who remained silent, guilt painted all over his face.
"Why didn't you say anything or at least keep us in the loop?" Ampha scolded, her gaze harsh as it shifted between the two boys, both of whom remained uncharacteristically quiet.
"Can we go to my office to talk?" Mew suggested, his voice steady despite the tension crackling in the air.
"Yes, Mae, Pho, let's have this conversation somewhere more private. I'm not comfortable discussing this here," Gulf pleaded, turning on the charm with a set of puppy eyes that melted even the hardest hearts.
Once they settled in Mew's soundproof home office, the air shifted, charged with anticipation.
"Explain," Ampha said impatiently, settling into her chair, a storm of emotion brewing in her eyes.
"I told Mew not to tell you. I didn't want you to worry," Gulf stated plainly, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the charged silence.
"No, that's not true! I was so focused on finding him that I forgot to inform you two! I'm really sorry!" Mew confessed, earnestness etched across his features, earning him a sharp glare from Gulf.
"We had an agreement, Gulf! You should have called or texted us immediately after your rescue," Ampha's voice softened slightly, laced with disappointment.
"And here we are, two months without knowing anything, and thank goodness Mew finally got in touch to update us," Thanayong added, a hint of frustration creeping into the mix.
"I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry for being careless, for being selfish, for forgetting!" Gulf shouted, anger boiling within him at the accumulated distress.
"Oh, sweetheart," Ampha said, enveloping him in a warm embrace.
"Oh, my baby boy, don't you dare speak like that," Thanayong chimed in, joining the hug, his heart breaking for his son.
"Oh, Gulf," Mew began to stand, helplessly yearning to comfort him, but Gulf held up a hand, still simmering with resentment.
"No. You sit down there and be quiet," he instructed, snuggling deeper into his parents' warm embrace, seeking solace.
"Did we miss something?" Thanayong asked, directing a keen eye at both Mew and Gulf, intrigue piqued.
"I know, right? There's definitely something we've missed," Ampha added, echoing her mate's sentiments, the underlying drama thickening the air around them.
"It's his fault," Gulf exclaimed, his finger jabbing accusingly at Mew, who shot back an incredulous glare, silently pleading, 'Why did you rat me out?'
"Mae, pho, please don't worry about the kidnapping. You know how Fiat is. He might snatch me up, but he won't harm me — not unless I provoke him, which I absolutely did not. So please, don't be angry," Gulf implored, glancing anxiously at his parents.
"We know, but we can't help but feel that this is somehow our fault," Thanayong said, the weight of concern heavy in his voice.
"Hey, pho, who's been feeding you these lies about blame? This isn't your fault, nor anyone's," Gulf replied, annoyance creeping into his tone. "This is merely a tragic case of obsessive love. He's a stalker, plain and simple. As long as I don't provoke him, I can promise you he won't lay a finger on me." The conviction in his voice was meant to reassure, yet Mew's fury only stirred deeper.
"Who the hell is he?" Mew snapped, his brow furrowing dangerously.
"An ex," Gulf responded, shifting his gaze back to his parents, feeling the heat of Mew's glare.
"Give us more, mate," Tharn demanded with a dangerously low growl.
"Alright, fine," Gulf said, steeling himself. "Fiat is my ex from my father's hometown. He was my friend in my last year of high school, and what started as camaraderie blossomed into something more. But his uncontrollable jealousy turned dark; he kept me locked away, either in my room or his. It escalated to the point where he hit me when I wanted to leave. I had to escape out of the window, running for my life to my parents' old house. Thank the goddess that neither mae nor pho was with me because I barely made it, fleeing to another city just to break free and then moving to my mother's hometown when I got accepted into a medical university." His words hung heavy in the air, the memories clawing at him as he recounted his turbulent past.
"In my third year, he kidnapped me for two solid months — casually, as if it was just a game, all because 'he missed me'. But let me be clear: he never laid a hand on me. He'd just come into my room, reminiscing about our past and providing my meals and then he'd snuggle up at night. That's all." Gulf's attempt at lightness backfired as Tharn let out a low, threatening growl, his protective instincts flaring at the thought of another man getting too close to his mate.
"Oh, stop being such a big baby. Don't growl over nothing," Gulf teased, a playful smirk tugging at his lips, which only caused Tharn to pout like a petulant child.
"Then mae and pho tracked me down and rescued me, just like you did, Tharn," Gulf continued, his eyes lighting up as he smiled sweetly at Tharn, who reciprocated with a warm smile.
"And Kokliang, that's when I began my serious training. Pho insisted on it and trained me like I was some soldier or assassin. I'm genuinely grateful for that because I can defend myself now. Pho always claimed I had extraordinary strength for a human, which is why he developed his special training regimen just for me," Gulf finished, beaming at his parents before shifting his gaze to Kokliang and San.
"Thank you, all of you," he said sincerely, his grateful smile echoing his heartfelt appreciation.
"It's our duty to protect you and shower you with love until you find your mate. Now that you have, he'll do the same," Ampha said, affection radiating from her as she kissed Gulf's forehead.
"I won't be a control freak, but I am assigning a warrior to keep close watch over you for the next few months, just in case he decides to show up again," Tharn declared with a fierce glint in his eyes.
"No, there's really no need for that," Gulf replied, shaking his head and smiling affectionately at Mew.
"I have Kokliang and his mate, don't I? They'll always be by my side when you aren't, which is both annoying and reassuring," Gulf said with a grin, gesturing towards Kokliang and San, who exchanged knowing looks.
Hours melted away as they talked, entangled in plans, updates, and the warmth of family banter until Thanayong declared it was time to call it a night.
"Alright, you four lovebirds, we're heading home," Thanayong announced, rising to his feet with Ampha following suit.
"Okay, mae pho," Gulf replied, standing and walking alongside his parents to the door.
Outside, the night sky bloomed with the brilliance of a full moon, casting a silver glow over the lively backyard where laughter echoed as adults drifted off to their rooms.
"Are we celebrating something tonight?" Gulf asked, downing a full beer in one go, feeling a sudden heat wash over him.
"It's the full moon, babe," Mew replied, grinning brightly at Gulf, who seemed oblivious to the world around him as the warmth intensified.
Gulf stumbled towards the drink station, grabbing a cup of cold water and gulping it down, yet the burning sensation refused to fade.
'What on earth is going on?' Gulf thought, his body ablaze as he chugged another chilled beer.
"Shit!" he cursed, a little louder than intended.
"Gulf? You alright?" Mew asked, his voice pulling Gulf from the haze, making him shudder at the sound.
"You," Gulf managed to slur, the heat overwhelming him.
"Come here, bii," Tharn said, sensing something amiss as he approached, his growl deepening. "You're burning up."
Gulf quivered in delightful response at Tharn's primal tone, pleasure sparking through him amidst the chaos.
"You are in heat!" Tharn announced breathlessly, cradling Gulf in his arms as they made their way to their bedroom. Gulf, in a wild frenzy, attacked Tharn's neck, licking and sucking hungrily, leaving a trail of hickeys like a love letter marked in crimson.
"FUCK!" Mew roared, the sound a primal growl that reverberated through the night, signalling that the mating rituals had commenced and that the warriors stood vigilant, a fortress of muscle and resolve around the clan.