Chapter 8: Fractures and Fire
690 Words
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Chapter 8: Fractures and Fire
Eli’s POV
It had been a surprisingly good day.
Lucian had convinced him to go out for coffee, and despite Eli’s initial resistance, he had actually enjoyed himself. They had spent the afternoon talking about everything and nothing, and for the first time since the rejection, Eli felt like he could actually breathe.
Lucian didn’t push. Didn’t expect. He just listened.
And that was what Eli needed most.
They were walking back toward Lucian’s car when everything changed.
A familiar scent hit him like a storm.
His steps faltered. His heart stuttered.
He didn’t even need to turn around to know.
Kieran was there.
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Kieran’s POV
Kieran had been walking toward them, heart pounding, practicing what he was going to say in his head.
He knew he had to talk to Eli. Had to try.
But then he saw them.
Saw the way Eli’s shoulders weren’t tense anymore when he was with Lucian.
Saw the way Eli actually smiled, even if it was faint.
Saw the way Lucian’s hand rested on Eli’s lower back—protective, possessive.
Something in Kieran snapped.
His feet moved before his brain could catch up.
“Eli.”
Eli turned slowly, expression unreadable. “Kieran.”
Kieran opened his mouth, but suddenly, the words he had rehearsed didn’t fit anymore.
Lucian stepped slightly in front of Eli, his presence solid, unreadable. “Is there something you need?” His voice was polite, but his eyes were ice.
Kieran’s hands clenched into fists. “I need to talk to Eli.”
Lucian didn’t move.
Eli exhaled and nodded. “It’s fine, Lucian.”
Lucian hesitated before stepping aside, though he didn’t go far.
Kieran took a breath. “I—” He hesitated, glancing at Eli. “How have you been?”
Eli raised an eyebrow. “How have I been?”
Kieran felt stupid as soon as he said it. But he pushed forward. “I just… I didn’t know. About us. About—” He exhaled sharply. “I made a mistake.”
Eli’s jaw tightened. “Yeah. You did.”
Kieran felt like he had been punched in the gut.
He took a step closer. “Eli, I—”
Lucian shifted slightly. Not saying anything, but making his presence known.
Kieran’s eyes flicked to him, and suddenly, the jealousy flared.
“You seem to be doing fine,” he muttered, bitterness creeping in. “Didn’t take you long to move on.”
Eli’s eyes flashed. “Excuse me?”
Kieran knew he should back off, but he couldn’t. Not when Lucian was standing so close. Not when he could still feel the bond pulling him toward Eli, even if Eli didn’t trust him anymore.
“I’m just saying,” Kieran continued, voice sharp, “it’s interesting how quickly you seem to be replacing me.”
Eli’s hands curled into fists. “You don’t get to do this. You don’t get to be angry, Kieran.” His voice was tight, controlled—but barely. “You’re the one who rejected me.”
“I didn’t know!” Kieran snapped, the frustration boiling over. “I didn’t know you were—”
“My mate?” Eli cut in, eyes blazing. “And what, if I wasn’t, it would’ve been fine? You would’ve just kept treating me like I was nothing?”
Kieran felt his stomach drop. “Eli—”
“I was right there, Kieran.” Eli’s voice wavered, but his gaze never broke. “And you didn’t even look at me.”
The silence after those words was deafening.
Kieran had no response. Because Eli was right.
Lucian, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was calm, but cold.
“You don’t get to be upset that I stepped up when you stepped away.”
Kieran flinched.
Eli let out a slow breath. “I have nothing else to say to you right now.”
And then he turned and walked away.
With Lucian right beside him.
Kieran could only stand there, watching them go, feeling the loss sink in.
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- Writer
