All Chapters of Between Blood and Bond: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Three days after the healer told me I was terminally ill, Keith Bradford—the alpha's heir—finally completed his training and returned to the pack.Rumor had it, he was back for his future mate.The alpha had chosen a perfect match for him—a well-bred, talented girl, two years younger than Keith. Sweet, gentle, never even had a boyfriend.The complete opposite of me, with exes as countless as the stars.It was not until a week after Keith returned that I finally saw him, outside the treatment room. He had not changed much—sharp features, high nose bridge, deep, defined eyes. Just as impossibly handsome as he was the first time we kissed.Almost as if sensing my gaze, Keith looked up, sharp and alert. Our eyes met—and for a second, it felt like the air froze. Everyone thought I would recklessly ruin Keith’s engagement, just like the wild girl I used to be.But what they didn’t realize was… my time was running out.I stepped forward, calm and composed, a faint smile on my lips. "It's be

The pain was so intense, my vision started to fade, Keith's face blurring. However, even through the haze, I caught the annoyance and scorn in his voice.When I finally got my bearings, I did not even bother trying to explain.Keith left me at my front door and walked away without looking back.I had barely stepped inside when my mom called."The alpha asked your brother to come home for dinner. You should come too. It'll be nice, the whole family together."Her voice was soft, and I could not help but laugh at the irony.Why did she insist on playing the perfect mom? Anyone who did not know us would have thought we were the picture of a loving family.However, it had been five years since we cut ties over her decision to be with some high-and-mighty alpha. Other than setting me up on awkward blind dates, we barely talked.I did not have the energy to call her out on her act, so I just nodded and let it slide.The next day, around noon in the villa, lunch was just hitting the

"Why go and mess with their lovey-dovey scene? Wasn't it better the way things were? You pay me, and I hang out with you. It's a sweet deal."I shook off the daze, my laugh icy and sharp. "Cut the crap! We're nothing, and I'm done bankrolling a thief with a gambling problem!"Right as I spoke, I caught sight of Keith and Joan stepping out of the jewelry store, his arm around her.Our eyes locked, and Keith's look was icy, cutting through me like a blade.I instinctively tried to pull away from Daniel, but he clung to me tighter, his arm like a vice around my waist.Then Joan came up, all smiles. "You're Keith's sister Elsie, aren't you? Hi, I'm Joan."I tried to smile back, but it felt like my face was made of stone. "Hi."Daniel jumped in with a too-friendly, "Hey, I'm Daniel."Keith's eyes squinted, a shadow passing over his face, but he acted as if Daniel were invisible.Joan kept smiling. "So, are you Elsie's boyfriend?"Daniel put on a wounded act. "Nah, I'm just one of

Three days later, at Silvia's funeral.I stood quietly at the very back of the crowd.Keith and Joan were up front, laying flowers with the alpha.Then my mother walked in, wearing a dress so bright it was almost blinding, strutting as if she owned the place.She bent down and laid flowers on Silvia's grave, all eyes on her in shock.I could not believe it. Sometimes, I just could not fathom how my mother could live so shamelessly.Keith's expression darkened, his hands balled into fists, and with a glare that could freeze hell over, he spat at my mother, "How dare you show your face here?"Under Keith's intense stare, my mother just kept on grinning wildly.She playfully flicked her hair, and her eyes slowly found me, lingering at the back of the crowd. "Elsie, why are you all the way back there? Come up front."I froze, feeling every stare piercing through me like nails.When I did not move, my mother approached with a smile, took my hand, and said, "If it weren't for Elsie

Waking up, I found myself in a hospital room, staring at the stark white ceiling and wondering if I was knocking on death's door.I grabbed my phone and the truth hit me hard—I had been out for three days, and today was Keith's bonding ceremony.The sun was blazing outside, but all I felt was a chill creeping through me. After a while, I snuck out of the room.Back home, I slapped on some makeup and slipped into my fanciest dress. Keith had sent me an invite, and I had to see it for myself.My car was stranded at the pack's office, so I had to hail a cab.As I waited, a black sedan screeched to a halt in front of me. Before I knew it, I was yanked inside, a hand clamped over my mouth and nose, and everything went black.When my eyes flicked open again, I was staring at the ruins of an abandoned construction site.Daniel was there, looming over me. The moment I stirred, he grabbed my shoulders and gave me a shake."I didn't want it to get this messy, Elsie, but you wouldn't coug