I lifted my head, my eyes burning crimson with barely contained rage. The final cards the dealer had thrown down were rigged—I had caught the scent of deception, noticed the subtle manipulation in the Tidefang King's movements. But what could I do about it? No one in this warded sea-den would believe me. Every wolf here wanted nothing more than to see me stripped of everything.
Before I could gather my thoughts, a sharp tearing sound cut through the den.
My heart lurched as I whipped around toward the cage. One of the males had seized Mara Nightthorne's outer garment and ripped it apart with brutal force.
"No! Get away from me! Get away!"
My foster-dam struggled desperately against her captors, but her Omega strength was no match for the males surrounding her.
The wolves in the crowd erupted with excitement, their predatory instincts inflamed.
"Look at that! Didn't I say this she-wolf had a fine form?"
"She doesn't look anywhere near her age! This will be entertaining!"
The more Mara screamed, the more frenzied their excitement became. Her distress was feeding their bloodlust.
I fixed my blood-red gaze on Selene Frostveil. She merely shrugged, utterly indifferent to the horror unfolding.