Bound By Fate[Twin Alpha mates]

Chapter 4: The Confrontation

Chapter 4: The Confrontation

Eli’s POV

Eli’s body was betraying him.

His heart still ached from Kieran’s rejection, yet here he was—feeling that same undeniable pull toward another alpha.

It didn’t make sense. How could he have two mates? And why was this one looking at him like he was the most important person in the world?

Lucian was walking toward him now, his movements smooth but purposeful. His gray eyes never left Eli, his expression unreadable, but his presence was overwhelming.

Eli swallowed hard. I should leave.

He wasn’t ready for this. He couldn’t go through the pain of being ignored twice in one night. But his feet refused to move, as if they were rooted in place by the very bond he didn’t know how to process.

Lucian stopped just a few steps away, his gaze sharp, searching. And when he spoke, his voice was low and controlled—but there was something else beneath it. Something raw.

“You’re my mate.”

A statement. Not a question.

Eli stiffened. His breath hitched. Hearing it confirmed made everything feel more real. Too real.

He forced himself to speak. “And yet… I already met one of my mates tonight.”

Lucian’s eyes darkened. “Who?”

Before Eli could answer, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

“What’s going on here?”

Eli froze.

Kieran.

Lucian’s POV

Lucian had been prepared for a lot of things tonight.

Not this.

Not walking into a crowded ballroom only to find his mate staring at him with uncertainty. Not sensing that something was wrong—that his mate had already been hurt before he had even arrived.

And definitely not seeing his younger twin standing just a few feet away, looking at them with mild confusion.

Lucian didn’t move his gaze away from Eli, but his voice was clipped when he responded. “This isn’t your concern, Kieran.”

Kieran frowned. “If it involves you acting weird at a public event, then yeah, it is.” His eyes flickered to Eli. Barely a glance. As if he didn’t recognize what was standing right in front of him.

Eli’s scent shifted.

Lucian noticed immediately. The subtle change in his omega’s scent, the way his shoulders tensed, the way his fingers clenched at his sides. Pain.

And suddenly, Lucian understood.

His fingers curled into fists, his jaw tightening as realization hit him like a punch to the gut.

Kieran was Eli’s first mate.

And judging by the way Kieran was looking right through him, he had no idea.

Lucian turned his head slowly. His expression remained calm, unreadable—but inside, he was seething.

His voice was dangerously quiet when he spoke. “Tell me, Kieran. Have you met anyone interesting tonight?”

Kieran shrugged. “Not really. A few people tried to introduce themselves, but I wasn’t paying attention.”

Lucian exhaled slowly. Control. Hold it in.

But when he turned back to Eli, the damage had already been done.

The omega’s lips were pressed into a thin line, his hazel eyes distant—like he was closing himself off.

Lucian’s chest ached.

Kieran had hurt him.

And now, it was Lucian’s turn to fix it.

Eli’s POV

Eli had felt numb before.

But hearing Kieran casually dismiss the entire night—completely unaware that he had just crushed his mate without even realizing it—made the emptiness settle even deeper.

I should leave.

He didn’t belong here.

He didn’t want to watch his mate stand there, oblivious, while another one stared at him like he was something precious.

Before Lucian could say anything else, Eli forced himself to step back. “I need to go.”

Lucian’s gaze sharpened. “Eli—”

But Eli shook his head. “I’m sorry. I can’t do this right now.”

And with that, he turned around and walked away—ignoring the way his heart screamed at him to stay.