Page 46 of Haunted (Blackwood Brothers #1)

XAVIER

A fter the feast, the prey are ushered to a room adjoining the hall to prepare for the claiming ceremony. The women filter back into the orgy room, each in an exquisite mask that matches the one her hunter wears as they wait for the final part of the Hunt.

There isn’t a single remnant of the earlier debauchery that took place in the chamber.

The linens, pillows, and accessories have been replaced with fresh ones.

The scent of sweat and sex—gone. The dais, now at the center of the room, has a mirror that covers it seamlessly, edge to edge, leaving nothing to the imagination.

Every angle of their naked bodies, every inch of skin, every muscle twitch will be visible as the final claim is witnessed.

It strips the last inch of modesty from each woman and man who might be claimed for the next twelve months, depending on the hunter’s individual wishes. Each hunter has put their masks back on, as is expected for the ceremony.

There’s a subtle shift in atmosphere. The air grows thick with anticipation, power dynamics crackling between each hunter and their prey.

Landon steps forward.

He’s always preferred the clean simplicity of a single encounter of the three-day annual event—take what he wants, then walk away without complications. Emotional attachments are a weakness in our world, a fact I’ve drilled into each of my brothers since we took control of Ravenwood’s underground.

But now, he’s standing before the assembly, his white mask back in place as he addresses Sadie Reynolds with quiet authority.

“I claim Sadie Reynolds for one full year,” his voice carries through the chamber, steady and certain. “She belongs to me completely.”

The surprise ripples through me like cold water. A year. Landon has never kept anyone for more than a few hours, let alone an entire fucking year.

Sadie tenses and looks like she’s ready to bolt in what appears to be a protest. But when Landon reaches for her, she doesn’t pull away.

Her body language speaks louder than any voiced denial ever could—the way she leans into his touch even as she shakes her head, a pretty flush of pink spreads across her chest despite her apparent reluctance.

“I don’t want this,” she whispers, but her voice lacks conviction, making it sound like she’s trying to convince herself more than him.

“Your body says otherwise,” Landon replies, his hands already working to remove her silk wrappings.

Mira tenses in my lap as Landon guides Sadie to the center platform. I feel her breath quicken, her breathing quickening as my brother positions the tech expert exactly where he wants her.

What follows is a masterclass in control and dominance.

Landon takes Sadie with rough yet controlled strokes, every touch calculated to break down her resistance while building her arousal.

She fights him—verbally, at least—but her hips move with his rhythm, her moans betraying the pleasure she’s trying to deny.

“Please don’t,” Sadie gasps even as she arches beneath him. “I can’t... this isn’t me.”

“This is exactly who you are,” Landon’s voice carries absolute certainty. “You needed someone to bring it out in you.”

I feel Mira’s reaction in real-time—her breathing becomes shallow, her skin flushing pink as she watches Sadie surrender to my brother’s manipulation.

The eager little fucktoy on my lap is getting aroused watching another woman being fucked.

That knowledge sends a dark spark of satisfaction through my chest.

“You like watching,” I murmur into her ear, keeping my voice low enough that only she can hear. “You’re getting wet simply watching her submit.”

Mira’s sharp intake of breath confirms what I already know.

Movement in my periphery catches my attention. Julian approaches, his ice-blue eyes focused intently on where Elliot sits with Theo. The art dealer looks thoroughly debauched after last night’s activities. Still, there’s something in his expression that suggests he’s far from finished.

“Xavier,” Julian’s voice cuts through the sounds of Landon fucking Sadie. “I need to speak with you.”

I gesture for him to continue, though my attention remains split between his words and the way Mira responds.

“I want Elliot for the year.”

Julian wants to claim another hunter—something that’s never been done in the history of our events.

“That goes against every rule we’ve established,” I reply carefully, studying his face for any sign of deception or momentary madness.

“Rules can be changed.” His voice carries the same cold certainty that made him invaluable in our financial operations. “Elliot participated as prey both in the orgy chamber and the feast. He submitted beautifully. I want him as mine.”

I follow Julian’s gaze to where Elliot sits beside Theo, and what I see there makes my decision for me. The art dealer’s refined composure has cracked wide open—his usually impeccable clothing rumpled from the Hunt. Still, it’s the expression on his face that seals it.

The anxious wave of anticipation playing across his aristocratic features is all I needed to see. His hands tremble slightly, and I catch the way his breath quickens when Julian’s eyes lock with his.

After forty years of keeping people at arm's length, Elliot Chambers had perfected his emotional distance. But Julian crashed through those defenses, revealing the passionate hunger Elliot had suppressed for so long.

“Very well,” I say, my voice carrying through the chamber. “You may go next.”

Julian’s mask conceals his expression, but I hear the sharp exhale that escapes him. He’d been holding his breath, waiting for my answer. The normally ice-cold investment banker actually cares about the outcome.

Mira shifts in my lap. I feel her tense against me as Julian approaches the platform where Landon is finishing with Sadie.

“I claim Elliot Chambers for one full year,” Julian’s voice cuts through the chamber with absolute authority. “He belongs to me.”

I watch Elliot grip the edge of his chair until his knuckles turn white.

“Julian, I...” Elliot’s voice breaks.

“Stand up,” Julian commands.

Elliot rises on unsteady legs, every line of his tall, muscular frame broadcasting his internal struggle.

It’s always surprising to see him out of a suit, covered in ink and muscles, as he comes across as the proper gallery owner.

And now, the predator has become prey, and he’s discovering he likes it.

“Come here.”

Two simple words, but they carry the weight of complete ownership. Elliot takes one stilted step forward, then another, drawn to Julian like a moth to flame.

Elliot reaches the platform. Julian circles, and I feel the anticipation crackling through the entire room.

“Good boy,” Julian murmurs, his voice carrying a solemn approval that somehow manages to be both praising and condescending.

The effect on Elliot is immediate and overwhelming. His composure crumbles to dust at those two words, a shuddering breath escaping his lips as his shoulders sag with what looks like relief.

Julian’s hands move to Elliot’s shoulders, guiding him down to the platform. “On your hands and knees. Face the audience.”

Elliot complies without hesitation, positioning himself exactly as commanded. He assumes the submissive pose, and I catch the way his breath quickens with each passing second.

The sight of the usually composed man on display like this sends a ripple of excitement through the assembled hunters and their prey. However, it’s Mira’s reaction that completely captures my attention.

She lets out a soft, involuntary moan as Julian retrieves a bottle of lubricant from the platform’s supplies.

Her hips shift restlessly, seeking friction as she grinds her cunt down on my hardened cock.

Strictly speaking, during the ceremony, we are supposed to keep our hands and cocks to ourselves, but I’m not wasting a single second of the time we have left to be inside her.

“You enjoy seeing him give in,” I note, tightening my grip around her waist to guide her movements.

Julian works quickly, preparing Elliot while maintaining that air of dominance that makes his financial negotiations so effective. Every touch is deliberate, calculated to break down whatever resistance remains.

When Julian positions himself behind Elliot, the entire chamber falls silent except for the soft sounds of breathing.

Julian grips Elliot’s hips with both hands and slams inside him in one brutal thrust.

Elliot’s cry echoes through the chamber—part pain, part desperate pleasure. His cock springs to attention, already leaking precum onto the platform beneath him as Julian sets a punishing rhythm.

Mira’s reaction is instantaneous. She moans louder this time, watching Julian fuck Elliot.

“Look at how hard he is,” I murmur against her ear, keeping my voice low enough that only she can hear. “Elliot’s cock is leaking from being fucked in front of everyone.”

Mira’s breathing hitches, becoming ragged as she watches the two men, her hips moving with increasing desperation against my cock. I feel her inner walls starting to flutter around me, the telltale signs of her approaching climax.

“Stop,” I growl. “Don’t you dare come.”

She whimpers in frustration, trembling with the effort of holding back her orgasm. “Xavier, please?— ”

“Save it for our turn,” I growl. “You’ll come when I allow you to.”

The ceremony continues around us as each remaining hunter steps forward to make their declaration. Knox claims Bianca for the full year, followed by Vane with Lia. The pattern repeats—every single hunter chooses the maximum duration available.

This has never happened before. In previous Hunts, most hunters claimed their prey for the standard seventy-two hours after the Hunt.

Some might extend to a week or a month if the woman particularly appealed to them.

But a full year was rare, reserved for the hunters who caught someone truly exceptional.

The Dexter twins have chosen to have Keira together for the year, their synchronized voices creating an eerie harmony. Dominic, Liam, and Ryder collectively claim Cora for the full year rather than individually.

Then, the chamber falls silent as all eyes turn to me.

“Get up,” I demand.

She stands to her feet, whimpering as my cock slips out of her dripping cunt. Slowly, I rise and then I spin her to face me, lifting her off her feet and slamming my dick back inside her in mid-air. She wraps her legs around my waist for support.

“I claim Mira Sullivan for one full year,” my voice carries clearly through the chamber. “She belongs to me completely.”

The gasps echo through the room. Conversations halt mid-sentence.

I have never wanted anyone beyond the initial seventy-two hours.

Never. My reputation for cold detachment, for taking what I want and discarding it without sentiment, is legendary among Ravenwood’s elite.

The idea that I would bind myself to one woman for an entire year goes against everything they know about Xavier Blackwood.

Mira’s breath catches. “Xavier,” she whispers, her voice barely audible.

I ignore the shocked murmurs rippling through the assembly, focusing only on the woman in my arms, whose eyes are wide with anticipation.

I carry Mira to the Dias, her legs wrapped around my waist, her heat surrounding my cock with every step. The entire assembly watches our approach. Nineteen observers, thirteen hunters and their prey, all focused on us with rapt attention.

When I reach the center of the platform, I set her down on her feet and lower myself onto my back. I look up at her flushed face. “Ride me,” I command, my voice carrying clearly through the silent chamber. “Show everyone how well you take my cock.”

Mira’s cheeks burn crimson at my words, her eyes darting nervously around the room before settling back on mine. I can see the conflict playing across her features—embarrassment warring with arousal as she realizes what I’m demanding of her.

“Xavier,” she whispers. “They’re all watching.”

“Let them watch,” I growl. “You’re mine now. For a full year. Show them exactly what that means.”

Mira’s breathing quickens as she positions herself over me and braces her hands against my chest, sliding down with a satisfied moan as her inner walls clench around my shaft almost instantly.

Slowly, deliberately, she lifts herself until only the head of my cock is all that remains inside her. Then she sinks back down with a whimper that echoes through the chamber, taking me to the hilt.

“Good girl,” I praise, watching the flush spread down her chest as she establishes a rhythm. “Now, faster.”

Mira’s movements become more confident with each rise and fall of her hips.

Her embarrassment transforms into bravado.

A warmth settles over me as her newfound exhibitionism takes hold and she soars.

I feel her growing wetter with each movement, her arousal coating my shaft and balls as she rides me with increasing abandon.

The sound of skin slapping against skin mingles with her breathless moans and my own growls of approval. Around us, the assembled crowd watches in rapt silence, some of the other hunters visibly aroused by the display.

“Tell them who you belong to,” I demand, my hands guiding her movements as she bounces on my cock.

“You,” Mira gasps, her head falling back as pleasure overwhelms her inhibitions. “I belong to Xavier Blackwood.”

The declaration sends a surge of satisfaction through me. She’s mine now, completely and utterly mine, and everyone in this room knows it.