"That one has never lost a dominance wager. Kael Nightthorne is just a territory holder—how could he possibly beat him?"
"Alpha Selene is so cruel. She gives him hope on purpose, then crushes it."
Only then did I understand. Her so-called mercy was nothing but a poisoned blade. She had calculated everything from the start—to make me lose here, to have my foster-dam stripped of her dignity and thrown out naked before the pack. Now she controlled my territory and tribute networks. I had nothing left. There was no one I could call upon for help.
Rage made me thrash against my silver-threaded bindings. I roared at her, "Selene Frostveil! Search your heart and tell me—how did I ever treat you?"
Selene let out a cold laugh. "Wonderfully, of course!"
"But what does that have to do with me? I never asked you to love me. You're old now, and your body can't compare to a young Beta's. Did you expect me to live like a widow for the rest of my days?"
Hearing her heartless mockery, I clenched my fists until my claws drew blood from my palms, forcing down a fury I had never known before.