Bonded to the Wrong Alpha Chapter 05

Bonded to the Wrong Alpha Chapter 05

I stared at the glowing screen, my mind blank. Kyle’s voice crackled through the speaker. ‘Elara? You still

there?’

“I heard you. Where are the keys?”

The mechanics handed me the repaired truck. “Ms. Elara, here’s the dashcam footage. Keep it or delete it?”

“Export it, then delete it.”

Alone, I played the footage.

On screen, Serena squirmed in her seat, reaching over to grab Kyle’s hair, yanking him close… pressing her mouth to his.

Her voice echoed through the speakers. ‘Kyle, kiss me.’

Kyle wrenched the wheel. Tires screeched, metal crunched, and Serena screamed. So that was the accident.

The next day, Serena called. “Elara, come to the infirmary.”

Her voice was weak. “The pack healer says I need an urgent transfusion. Our blood types match.”

When I arrived, Serena was propped against pillows, cheeks flushed.

Mother stood beside her. At the sight of me, she frowned. “You’re late.”

Kyle sat at the foot of the bed. Serena dropped her gaze. “I’m sorry, Elara. I know this is a bother. But I’m feeling dizzy. Might be trauma from the crash.”

I looked into her eyes. “Are you sure?”

She hesitated, and tears welled up instantly.

Mother snapped, “Elara! What’s wrong with you? Hesitating? Serena grew up with you! Don’t you have any loyalty to the pack?”

Kyle’s voice care soft and soothing. “Elara, it’s just a little blood. It won’t weaken you.”

I looked at all of them, then turned and walked out.

Mother’s voice followed me: “Elara! Come back!”

I didn’t look back. Kyle’s calls trailed after me, and I ignored them.

A message flashed on the screen: Elara, what’s going on? Just go through with the transfusion.

I turned off the device. Back at the den, I pulled out my travel bag.

I packed some essentials and a few changes of clothes. The bag was only half full.

My father’s message blinked on the screen: You can come back anytime.

While Serena was resting in the infirmary, Mother visited every day.

When Mother came back for supplies, she found the room empty and panicked. She called Kyle. “Elara might have figured it out. She’s gone. She didn’t take much. Just disappeared.”

Kyle and Serena were in the infirmary. He shot up, knocking over a stool.

Serena tugged at his sleeve, her voice small. “Kyle, don’t worry. She’s probably just sulking. She’ll come back.”

He looked down at her. She looked up at him, eyes wide, lower lip jutting out. That look always softened him.

“Yeah,” he said, sitting back down. “She’s got nowhere else to go. She’ll be back.”

Days passed. They returned to the den. Everything stayed the same. Her slippers by the door, her clothes in the wardrobe, even her toothbrush still in the cup.

Mother stood in the empty den, anxious.

Kyle called everyone. No one knew where I’d gone.

Someone joked, “How do you not know where your mate is? Didn’t you just bond?”

“Kyle, she’s really gone?” Serena hugged him from behind, pressing her face to his back. “It’s all my fault. When she comes back, I’ll apologize properly.”

He sighed and pulled her into his arms. “If only Elara were that reasonable.”

Then one of Kyle’s betas called. “Alpha, heard you’re looking for Elara. I saw her at the border a few days ago.”

Kyle’s stomach dropped at those words.

It wasn’t until I arrived at my father’s pack, the old Grayfang territory, that I understood why Mother had

always favored Serena.

I’d sensed her preference over the years. I’d always chalked it up to affection—since we were close friends,

she loved us both equally.

I’d been grateful for that.

But my father, whom I hadn’t seen in years, told me the truth.

His voice was flat, as if he were discussing a stranger.

Years ago, Mother’s first love had returned. That man was Serena’s father.

During that time, Mother had stayed at his den. Father knew their bond was already broken.

He’d fought for custody of me, but Mother refused to yield.

Then one day, he saw me clinging to Mother, refusing to let go. He gave up his claim.

He said he knew I couldn’t bear to leave her.

For the first time, I understood why we’d really separated. I’d never asked. In my dreams, I’d always resented my father for tearing the family apart.

But it wasn’t him.

Mother’s favoritism toward me wasn’t love.

I was just an excuse for her to stay close to her beloved’s daughter.

I was silent for a long time. Then I sent a message to my future self.

I asked: Has the future changed?

She sent one last message: Walk through the withered plains, and you’ll see the mountains.

I didn’t know if it was comfort or prophecy, but I took it as my answer.

I threw myself into the work. Days on the training grounds, nights helping my father with pack affairs.

Father led the pack alone. He said he wanted me to take over. I didn’t refuse.

Half a month after I arrived, I came back to my room and found Serena waiting outside

my

door.