After My Alpha Gave Our Heir to Rogues

The celebration ended, but the night was far from over. My skin still burned where Travis had drawn that mockery of a gift on my wrist. The marker ink smeared slightly as I clenched my fist, but I didn't care. I needed answers.

I found Travis in his office, loosening his tie with a self-satisfied smile. He didn't notice me at first, humming softly as he poured himself a drink.

"That was quite a performance tonight," I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.

He turned, eyebrows raised in mild surprise. "Madeline. I thought you'd be at the after-party."

"I'm not in the mood for celebrations." I stepped closer, watching his expression shift from casual to wary. "Why did you give Nola a Patek Philippe?"

Travis sighed, setting down his glass with deliberate care. "It was just a recognition of her hard work."

"Hard work?" My voice rose slightly. "I negotiated that treaty for six months. I stayed up for three nights straight finalizing those appendices."

"And I appreciate that," he said, his tone softening into something patronizing. "But you're my mate. You shouldn't need public recognition."

I stared at him, incredulous. "That watch is a traditional gift for a Luna."

"Don't be ridiculous." He waved his hand dismissively. "It was just an expensive thank-you gift. Your reaction is exactly why I gave you something more... appropriate."

"Appropriate?" The word tasted bitter. "You humiliated me in front of the entire pack."

"You're being materialistic," Travis said, his expression hardening. "That's not the Luna I chose."

Something snapped inside me. "You didn't choose me. The Moon Goddess did."

His eyes flashed dangerously. "Watch your tone, Madeline."

"Or what?" I challenged, stepping closer. "You'll draw another watch on my wrist?"

"I said watch your tone!" His voice deepened with the unmistakable resonance of his Alpha command.

The air around us thickened with his power, pressing down on me like a physical weight. For years, I'd yielded to that pressure, bowing my head and silencing my objections.

Not tonight.

I straightened my spine, meeting his gaze directly. "No."

The single word hung between us, loaded with defiance. Travis blinked, momentarily stunned by my resistance.

"What did you say?" he asked, his voice dangerously quiet.

"I said no." I felt something stirring inside me—my Luna aura, long suppressed, beginning to rise. "And while we're talking about that watch, I know where you got the money for it."

Travis's face paled slightly. "What are you talking about?"

"The pack's emergency fund." I watched his expression carefully. "The one meant for medical supplies and territory defense."

"You had no right to—"

"I had every right," I cut him off. "As Luna, I oversee all pack finances. Including the mysterious twenty-thousand-dollar withdrawal last week."

Travis's jaw clenched. "You're overstepping, Madeline."

"No, you are." The power inside me surged, and suddenly the air in the room crackled with energy. "You've been overstepping for years."

With a sharp crack, the glass vase on his desk shattered, fragments scattering across the polished wood. Travis jumped back, his eyes wide with shock.

"Your aura," he whispered.

"I know about Nola," I said, my voice deadly calm. "I've known for months."

Travis recovered quickly, his expression twisting into a sneer. "She's exciting. Passionate. Everything you're not."

"And yet," I replied, "the Moon Goddess chose me for you."

His face contorted with rage. "If you don't apologize right now, I'll demote you so fast—"

"Enough!"

I turned and walked out of his office, my heart pounding but my steps steady. The hallway led to the main gathering area where many pack members still lingered, including the Elders and senior warriors.

I could feel Travis following me, his anger radiating like heat. But for once, I didn't care.

"Madeline!" he called, his voice sharp with warning.

I stopped in the center of the room, aware of all eyes turning toward us. The Elders exchanged worried glances. Marcus, our Gamma, stepped forward slightly, his expression unreadable.

For years, I had carried this pack on my shoulders while Travis took the credit. For years, I had swallowed my pride and silenced my objections.

No more.

"I've served this pack loyally," I announced, my voice clear and strong. "I've negotiated treaties, balanced budgets, and supported my Alpha through every challenge."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Travis pushed through, grabbing my arm.

"This is inappropriate," he hissed.

I pulled away from his grasp and faced him directly. The words came naturally, flowing from some ancient knowledge buried within me.

"I, Madeline Foster, accept your rejection."

The effect was instantaneous. A visible shudder ran through Travis as the mate bond between us snapped with an almost audible crack. He dropped to his knees, gasping in pain as the magical connection severed.

I stood unmoved, watching as the man who had once been my everything crumpled before me. The pack watched in stunned silence as their Alpha collapsed, clutching his chest.

The bond was broken. And for the first time in years, I felt free.