Alpha's Human Mate

Chulalongkorn University

Gulf woke up the moment his alarm clock blasted like a foghorn, a sound that could wake the dead and cause tsunamis if it tried hard enough. He swiftly silenced it, sure that if he didn't, he would wake up with a headache big enough to rival the sun and ruin his morning. Still, he lazed around for another five minutes, basking in his own reluctance, before his mother's voice thundered from downstairs.

"Gulf, get your butt up and shower before your breakfast finishes!"

Upon hearing the alarm blaring, she knew her son well enough to anticipate the imminent sloth-fest unless she stepped in as his personal alarm system. Gulf jolted awake and dashed for the shower like he was trying to escape a fire, emerging in record time.

He opted for a laidback ensemble: a pristine white shirt, skinny jeans hugging him like a loving grandmother, and his black Nikes that completed his look—perfect for his day of charming the masses. With his phone, wallet, and backpack in hand, he pirouetted down to the kitchen.

"Pho! Leave some for me!" Gulf exclaimed in a tone so feigned that it could have qualified for an award.

He plopped down to devour his breakfast before leaving with his father. For the first week, his dad had forbidden him from driving solo, insisting that Gulf needed to adapt to the roads and the madness that is Bangkok driving. To Gulf's twisted version of happiness, he complied, not because he didn't know how to drive, but because the idea of being a lazy passenger hounded him like a lovesick puppy.

Thanayong dropped Gulf off in front of the administrative block and zoomed off, leaving Gulf to navigate the bureaucratic jungle. He sauntered along, minding his own business, trying to commit the route to memory, but soon noticed a chorus of murmurs, all heads turning in his direction.

"He's cute."

"No, he's handsome."

"No, he's cute and handsome at the same time."

"Gosh, he's like a fox!"

Gulf chuckled to himself, blissfully unaware of the attention, when he suddenly collided with a pole-like person, landing squarely on his backside. Squeezing his eyes shut for a moment, he muttered, "Ah, the classic embarrassment of a first day!" as he finally opened his eyes and took in the unfortunate stranger.

His gaze climbed from the stranger's shoes to his face, and his jaw dropped slightly—not that he was gawking, of course! In an instant, annoyance replaced surprise as he jumped to his feet and dusted off his rear end. The incredibly tall, annoyingly handsome bloke stood there, shooting Gulf a glare that suggested he was ready to chastise him for simply existing.

"Brat," Gulf muttered under his breath, which didn't escape the stranger's notice.

"Did you say something, brat?"

"Oh, you could've asked if I was alright, you dickhead," Gulf retorted, slipping into annoyance mode, and tried to sidestep the stranger. But before he could pass, Mr. Perfect grabbed his arm and shoved him against the wall, trapping him like a pesky fly.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?" the tall, handsome stranger hissed, mere inches from Gulf's face.

Gulf rolled his eyes dramatically. "Seriously, must there be a bully or a tosser at every turn?" His inner diva reared its fabulous head, and he loathed the thought of being belittled by anyone.

"Of course, a nobody. Aww, are you mad? Just like a tiny toddler!" Gulf cooed in a syrupy-sweet tone.

With this, the tall hunk yanked Gulf forward, only to slam him back against the wall harder than necessary, causing Gulf's back to protest. "Do you know who I am?" he barked, half furious, half miffed.

"Why are you asking me, is it because you don't know who you are?" Gulf fired back, relishing the moment of mocking audacity.

Without missing a beat, the muscled man threw Gulf to the floor, but Gulf pivoted quickly, kneeling, and launched a kick aimed directly at his attacker's most delicate bits. The handsome stranger crumpled onto his knees, cupping his manhood and groaning like a wounded warrior.

Gulf smirked down at him, hands on his hips, "Who's your daddy now, bitch! That's what you get for being a—well, you know," he said, relishing the victory.

The tall stranger could only sputter a string of curse words as Gulf sauntered away, chuckling evilly, leaving the unfortunate bully nursing a sore pride—and perhaps a sore nether region.

After a few minutes of strutting his stuff, Gulf finally located the administrative office, aided by a kind girl who personally guided him there before departing with a gracious wai, which Gulf returned with enthusiasm.

Upon entering the office, he was greeted by a busy middle-aged lady bashing away at her keyboard, with stacks of files reaching precarious heights on her desk.

"Excuse me, I'm the new student. I'm here to get my schedule," Gulf announced.

Without even glancing up, the lady replied, "Name?" as her fingers flew over the keys like a concert pianist.

"Gulf Kanawut Traipipattanapong."

"Oh yes, our new student Gulf! Give me a second, I'll just print out your schedule," she said, finally looking up at him with a smile before returning to her typing frenzy. As the printer whirred to life, another sound could be heard from Gulf's right side.

"Madam, you called?"

"Yes, here you go Nong Gulf, your schedule and maps just in case you get lost within our university," said the lady as she handed Gulf his schedules and maps, before turning to look at the other boy standing next to him. "Yes, Nong Kokliang, can you show your friend here around the university grounds?"

"Sure, Madam!"

"Thank you, Ma'am!" said Gulf as he performed a wai to the lady and exited the room.

Gulf diligently followed Kokliang outside, quickening his steps until he stopped in front of him, then stuck his hand out, prompting the short guy to shake it.

"I'm Gulf Kanawut."

"I'm Kokliang."

"So you're my tour guide, huh?! Not bad!" said Gulf, eyeing Kokliang from head to toe, which made Kokliang look at him with a suspicious raised eyebrow.

"I am, and I'll take you to the most important parts of the university grounds. We'll scout out the rest in the future."

"Okay then, take me to our faculty, my boy!" declared Gulf as he linked his arm with Kokliang's.

After a few hours of strolling, chatting, and covering the essential areas of the university, both of them quickly became friends as they settled down to rejoin their class just before lunch.

Gulf was buzzing with excitement because he'd heard that the Faculty of Medicine's cafeteria was one of the best around the university — and there was no way in hell he was going to miss out on that on his first day.

In Gulf's mind, if he couldn't experience a good meal, knowing there was one nearby, his entire week would just spiral into disaster.