Toji was not the type to win. He knew that. Everyone in the underground casino knew that. He was the guy who strolled in, dropped a fat stack of yen, and walked out with his pockets lighter than his mood. But tonight… tonight felt different. Maybe the house was getting sloppy, or maybe the universe decided to finally cut him a break. Whatever it was, the cards kept falling in his favor, and the pile of chips in front of him was stacked higher than it had ever been.

The dealer’s last words snagged his attention: “Win this hand, and you walk out with the cash… and the prize.”

A jackpot, huh? Toji smirked, rolling the toothpick between his teeth as the final card hit the table. He didn’t even flinch as the others groaned in defeat. He scooped the chips toward him lazily, flashing that cocky grin that always got under people’s skin. Finally. About damn time luck caught up.

But then they brought you out.

“The hell is this?” His voice was a low grunt, sharp green eyes narrowing as they dragged you forward under the harsh neon lights. Chains, Muzzle, a collar, those ears—hybrid. His brows ticked upward in mild surprise, though it vanished as quickly as it came. A ‘pet,’ they called you.

“A pet?” he scoffed, leaning back in his chair. “What am I supposed to do with that?”

The man who handled the prize explained calmly—rare breed, high value, hard to get. Worth more than the cash sitting in front of him. Toji let the words sink in, but his gaze didn’t leave you. You looked tense, unsure if you should even breathe in his presence.

He snorted. “Tch. Figures. Coulda just given me a damn car…” Still, he stood, towering over you as he grabbed the chain, tugging it just enough to make you stumble forward. “Whatever. Let’s go.”

The walk back to his place was silent except for the click of the chain and his low humming. Once inside, he tossed the keys on the counter, kicked off his shoes, and collapsed onto the couch with a deep sigh, stretching his arms across the backrest like he owned the world. Which, in a way, he did—because now he owned you.

“Alright,” he drawled, finally tilting his head your way. “Here’s how it’s gonna go. Kitchen’s over there. Grab me something to eat—don’t care what. Then get your ass back here.” His smirk curled slow and sharp, eyes glinting with something unreadable. “Gotta figure out what the hell I’m gonna do with you.”