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I let out a little chuckle, which only makes her glare at me. My fingers sink into the soft flesh on her thigh, startling her as I grip it tight.

“Don’t lie to me, sweetheart. I bet if I were to slide my hand under your dress, and feel that little bit of lace you’ve got on, it would betray just how soaking wet your little pussy really is. Wouldn’t it?” My voice is deeper and raspier than I expected, betraying just how turned on I am, too.

She slowly shakes her head again, but doesn’t speak this time. I slide my hand a little higher, keeping my eyes locked on hers so she doesn’t look away.

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of, Harper. I want you to be a needy little slut. I want your pussy to be dripping wet at all times, so you’ll always be ready for whatever I have to give you. It’s okay to be turned on, because I plan to keep your cunt soaked at all times.

“And when your tight pussy can’t take any more, I will use your mouth and your arse too. Every hole will belong to me, and you’ll give them to me willingly.

“I want you to be a dirty little slut, just for me. I want you to beg me, plead with me, until I give you everything you didn’t know you wanted. You’re going to learn to scream my name like I’m the only God you pray to, begging me for more.”

By the time I’m done talking, she’s practically gasping for air, and my cock is throbbing painfully in my trousers. I want nothing more than to free myself and sink into Harper’s tight hole, but that’s not part of the plan. I need to keep hold of my control, just for a little longer.

Although there’s no denying how turned on she is, my feisty girl still argues with me. “I told you before, and I’ll say it again…I won’t ever beg you.”

I let out a laugh as I squeeze her thigh, not caring that people turn to look at us. I lean in close enough that my lips are almost touching the corner of hers. It wouldn’t take much for one of us to turn just a little, to steal our first kiss, but neither of us does—and if I have my way, we never will. No kissing is a rule I’m not willing to bend on.

Instead, I move closer to her ear, loving the way she trembles from my proximity, like there’s a shiver rippling down her spine. “Oh, you’ll beg me, sweetheart, and you’ll fucking love it. You’ll love being my slut so much, I’ll ruin you for all other men.”

By the time Lawson pulls me onto the raised platform, standing in front of a sea of Pledges and masked Order members, I’m a panting, horny mess. Watching the various ways the Pledges used the gifted women before me was both a massive turn-on and extremely terrifying.

Lawson made it clear to me that whatever he does to me will be humiliating, but that I’m to obey without hesitation. Failure to do so may result in me being removed as his Prize, and that can’t happen.

Obsidian Order members have power and status that others can only dream of, and they’re very secretive. If you want information on an Order member, only another higher-ranking member can get it.

Lawson is a Legacy Pledge, and once he’s passed all the tests that the Crows throw at him, he’ll inherit his father’s high status, as well as being the High Crow—should he keep that spot right until the very end. Which means he will have the reach I need to clear my dad’s name, and that’s worth anything I’m going to endure whilst on this damn platform, with the sea of eyes staring back at me.

I’m just grateful Lawson agreed that I wouldn’t have to lose my virginity in front of an audience. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t exactly dream of love, hearts, and flowers for my first time. I’ve always known I would have to give my virginity to the most suitable business match, but that doesn’t mean I’m happy for it to be a communal affair.

And if I’m being totally honest, there’s a tiny part of me that’s pleased I no longer have to remain pure, to become the perfect Order Wife. Once that high expectation is off the table, I’m just the same as any other girl my age, and that opens me up to a lot more possibilities.

I’ve spent the last two years listening to all the rumours about Lawson—and to say that the women on campus see him as a sex god would be an understatement—but who knows if they are true or not. I’ve never seen Lawson with any girl for longer than a night.

Lawson is giving me the chance to explore my wildest fantasies, things I’ve only ever dared to dream about, but have never said aloud. What would have been the point, since I was supposed to stay a virgin?

I grew up believing my fantasies were dirty and wrong, and yet now, Lawson plans to bring every one of them to life, and then some…and I’m not sure how to feel about that.

Lawson tugs on my restrained wrists, and the harshness of the zip-ties rubbing against my sore skin is enough of a distraction to pull me out of my thoughts. Lawson is standing right behind me, so close I can feel the warmth from his body through the thin layer of my dress.

My heart races as my body heats under the weight of all the people staring at me, and I can feel my cheeks flushing. I try to calm my breathing, reminding myself that I’m safe with him, but I know that’s not true.

Lawson may have made me promises, but he’s also spent the last two years humiliating me in the worst ways every chance he got, so I’m not sure if I should trust him—though it’s not like I actually have a choice.

Lawson keeps hold of my wrists in one hand, while placing his other on my hip, pulling me back until I’m plastered against his hard body. He doesn’t say anything, but I can feel the slow inhale and exhale of his chest, and I use that movement to centre myself, slowing down my breathing to match his.

The Head of House for the Crows steps up to the altar one last time, having done this with each of the other Crow Pledges that came before us. He’s wearing his Obsidian Order robe and silver mask outlined with gold, but everyone knows it’s Xander.

“Lawson Radley, Pledge for Crowhurst House, welcome to your Gifting Ceremony,” Xander says loudly, projecting his voice so that everyone in the large hall can hear him.

A loud round of applause echoes around the room, and I’m a little shocked that everyone is still as animated, given this process has been going on for at least a couple of hours now.

“Lawson, who has agreed to gift herself to you?”

“Harper Westmore has gifted herself to me,” Lawson states proudly, and I wince at the different reactions from people in the room. Some hiss, others gasp, and whispers break out amongst the spectators, as they no doubt question why someone with Lawson’s standing would choose me.

“And do you accept her as your Prize?”

There’s a long pause where the silence in the room is almost stifling, yet Lawson’s heart rate doesn’t falter at all. It just continues beating to the same rhythm against my back, like this pressure doesn’t affect him at all.