She finished speaking and sauntered over to wrap herself around Darian Frostveil's waist. "Darian, feeling better now?"
"Not yet. She hasn't been stripped bare and thrown to the pack, and Kael Nightthorne hasn't lost his entire territory."
Selene reached up and playfully pinched his nose. "You're always so mischievous!"
"Then let's continue until you're completely satisfied."
Meanwhile, agony was tearing through my mind like claws raking across flesh.
Just as they had mocked me—forcing someone with no experience in Dominance Wagers to face a wolf who had never lost. It was like sending a pup to challenge a seasoned hunter.
Completely hopeless from the start.
For the next round, Darian Frostveil demanded my foster-dam's remaining garment as the stake. I was forced to wager my last territorial holdings, everything I had left.
When the final cards were revealed, I had lost again.
My entire being felt hollow, as if my wolf had been ripped from my soul. I slumped back against the chair, drowning in despair.
They tore away Mara's outer dress while laughing and raising their middle fingers at me in crude challenge.
"Kael Nightthorne, you're more pathetic than a mangy cur."
"You have nothing left to wager with, and your mother has only one piece of clothing remaining. What will you do now?"
Darian Frostveil rose to his feet with a triumphant grin, practically dancing with savage glee.
The other males reached through the cage bars, their hands roaming over my foster-dam's exposed skin.
"Stop it! Stop this immediately!"
"Please, no! Son, save me!"
"Please..."
Her desperate pleas, my furious roars—none of it moved Selene Frostveil to show even a shred of mercy.
"The final round is about to begin!"
"Kael Nightthorne, if you have nothing left to stake against us, then we'll simply declare that your mother will be—"
"Who says I have nothing left? I'll wager my life against you all."
"Darian Frostveil, do you dare stake your remaining hand and your other leg against me?"
The moment those words left my mouth, the entire sea-den erupted in wild excitement.
"Now this is thrilling! They're wagering lives and limbs!"
Darian Frostveil agreed without a moment's hesitation. "A life wager? I've been dreaming of personally breaking your legs for years."
"And in addition to that—all of Selene Frostveil's territories and tribute rights. What do you say?"