The Alpha’s Broken Seal

My Alpha mate postponed our marking ceremony 99 times for an omega. For the 100th, I rejected him instead."The manor expansion is on hold."Damon didn't even look up as he signed another contract.My eyes were glued to the blueprints on his desk—the plans for the Alpha’s manor that I had spent three months pouring my heart into.It included the nursery for our future children."What do you mean?" My voice was a whisper, but my hands were shaking."The pack's resources are tight," he said, his tone casual, as if he were talking about the weather. "The expansion is too extravagant.""Extravagant?" I stared at him in disbelief. "That was supposed to be our home, Damon. Where we agreed we'd raise our pups.""Elena, don't be dramatic." He finally looked up, his eyes filled with impatience. "It's not the right time."It felt like a sledgehammer to the chest.We'd been mated for five years.And still, he'd put off our official marking ceremony."Isabella is waiting for me for lunch," he said

A flash of feral rage crossed Damon's eyes."Elena, you're disgusted by me?"Before I could answer, his fist slammed into the living room wall.Plaster and dust flew through the air."You'll regret this," he snarled, turning and storming toward the door. "There will come a day when you're on your knees, begging me to come back!"The door slammed shut, shaking the entire apartment.I collapsed onto the sofa, staring at the shattered wolf and the hole in the wall.This was my five years of love.Broken to pieces.The next morning, I started packing.This apartment was bought with my own design fees; Damon's name wasn't on the deed.But according to pack law, any major property transaction required the Alpha's seal.I logged into the pack’s internal system to submit the sale application.[PERMISSION DENIED][USER HAS BEEN BLOCKED BY ADMINISTRATOR]Blocked.He had actually blocked me from the pack network.Like I was some rogue.I called my lawyer."Thomas, I want to sell the apartment.""

Damon looked at the folder, a smug smile spreading across his face."Elena, I knew you'd come around. Is this a request to reinstate our bond?" He didn't open it right away, instead leaning back on the sofa, savoring the feeling of control."Was it seeing me with Isabella tonight that finally made you realize your mistake?"I watched him, my face a blank mask."Aren't you going to look at it?""In a minute." He crossed his legs, acting as if he held all the cards. "Elena, I can give you one more chance. If you sincerely apologize and admit that your behavior tonight was wrong, I might consider taking you back."Taking me back.How generous."Of course, there will be conditions," he continued. "For instance, you can't have any more contact with the Crescent Moon Pack. And that car? It has to go back."I said nothing, just waited.He was about to open the folder when a mind link from Isabella came through."You should answer that," I said flatly.He hesitated for a second before turning

Damon’s face went white."What?" He looked as if he'd misheard. "Elena, what did you just say?""I accept. To be a Rogue," I repeated, my tone as steady as if I were discussing the weather. "Isn't that what you want?""No!" He shook his head violently. "Elena, you're crazy! I was just angry, I didn't really mean—""But I do," I cut him off. "Damon, we're done."Panic flashed in his eyes.A raw, uncontrolled panic."Isabella, get out," he said suddenly, turning to the woman on the floor. "Elena and I need to talk. Alone.""But Damon, my back..." Isabella put on a pained expression."Out!" His roar shook the room.Terrified by his Alpha command, Isabella scrambled to her feet and fled the studio.The room was silent, leaving just the two of us."Elena, what happened to your hand?" He suddenly noticed my right hand.I glanced down. There were a few small, thin scratches on the back of my hand.I must have caught it on a piece of glass while cleaning up the blueprints."It's nothing.""How

The next day, a notification confirmed the property transfer was complete. A thrill of pure accomplishment—fierce and unfamiliar—shot through me. This was the first thing in my life that was utterly and completely mine.Without relying on anyone. Without needing anyone's permission.That evening, as I was packing my last few boxes, Sera called."Elena, I saw the news. You really sold the apartment?""Sold it back to myself," I corrected, a small smile playing on my lips. "Yes.""That's my girl! So, have you seen what your ex is up to?" Her voice was laced with sarcasm. "He's plastering his... new life... with Isabella all over his feed. It’s one nauseating photo after another."I opened Instagram, and she was right. My screen was flooded with them.The mall, fancy restaurants, a private beach…The latest post was a close-up of his chest.I zoomed in.The mate-mark tattoo that had once symbolized us—the intertwined "E & D"—was gone. In its place was a lavish letter "I," wreathed in