The wedding was beautiful. But then, Master had always said it would be.

Naomi basked in the soft glow of the opulent ballroom, seated happily beside Master as guests approached and offered their congratulations. The line of well-wishers was largely unrecognizable to the new bride, but she didn’t let that bother her. As they clapped her husband’s shoulder and shook his hand, she maintained her blissful smile with ease, happy to simply be an object of admiration at his side. She didn’t mind the leering stares, the condescending comments or occasional lewd jokes. She didn’t even flinch when Master let an especially close friend touch her, his rough fingers turning her face and tracing her breasts as he offered his compliments to her owner. It was all part of being a good wife, a good slave, and a good woman for the man who had captured her heart.

He was everything to her—all that she wanted and all she would ever need. He’d told her as much on more than one occasion, and it became truer with every repetition. There was something about the way he explained things, a persuasive pressure that made it feel like his words were pressing themselves into the soft recesses of her mind. It’d been a strange, slightly unpleasant sensation at first, especially before Naomi had learned how to accept her instructions properly. But Master was as kind as he was patient, and over time she understood her mistake. The trick was not to fight the invading thoughts, but to welcome them as her own, allowing them to smooth away any conflicting ideas or beliefs, turning her brain into a slick, submissive receptacle, eager to be filled and reshaped. It seemed so easy and obvious now, but to this day Master sometimes teased her about how stubborn and silly she’d once been. Naomi had only vague memories of that time, but she trusted Master’s account of her failings. And she’d do whatever she could to make up for them.

So it was with no small amount of affection that she nuzzled against his shoulder, his hand in her hair sending warm tingles across her scalp. Again she thought about how lucky she was to have found him, how miraculous it felt to surrender herself to somebody so perfect, so handsome, and so wise. Yet as her gaze returned to the crowded tables around them, something uneasy gnawed at the edges of her happiness. No matter how dazzling the decorations and delicious the food, there was a restless shadow stalking the celebration, one that was becoming increasingly impossible to ignore.

It was her family.

Naomi sighed as Master stroked her neck, her breath catching as she accidentally met the gaze of her elder sister across the room. Naomi smiled, hoping to dispel any sense of sibling rivalry, to convey that the bliss she’d achieved could one day be her sister’s as well, just as soon as she found the right man to submit to. But as usual, Naomi’s goodwill was only met with a dark, disbelieving stare, the air charged with prickling tension until both parties broke off the uncomfortable contact.

How unfortunate. Naomi had so been looking forward to seeing her family again. She couldn’t say exactly how long it’d been, but she knew she’d fallen out of touch since Master had claimed her. It wasn’t her fault, really. There was a lot that a new slave had to learn, and Master had been very keen on maintaining her focus. As he’d helpfully explained, Naomi was on a different path, one that her family and friends couldn’t possibly understand. At best, they would see it as strange; at worst, their prejudices would prompt them to drive a wedge between her and her owner, distracting and dissuading her from her duties with every means at their disposal. And she didn’t want that, did she? She didn’t want to cause problems for her Master. She wanted to learn her lessons like a good girl, until she was ready for her reintroduction into the world.

Perhaps that’s why Master had invited her family. Perhaps he thought that Naomi was ready, and that they would finally recognize her as the blissfully obedient pet she’d always truly been. But if that was the case, Master had made a rare miscalculation. Although Naomi had been pleasantly surprised by her family’s arrival, it wasn’t long before they started causing trouble. They pestered her with all sorts of strange questions, babbling on and on about things she couldn’t understand. Naomi wanted them to be happy, wanted them to be proud of her for finally finding a man to take charge of her life and let her be the docile, obedient slave she’d always dreamed of becoming. But all her parents and siblings wanted to talk about was her life before Master. They shoved pictures and social media posts in her face, claiming she used to be someone important, someone with a career and dreams of her own, someone who would be appalled at the idea of leaving it all behind to suit a single man’s whims.

But that was ridiculous. Naomi had always wanted to be a man’s property—her family had just never noticed. Nobody had, save for Master. That was what made him special. That was why she was giving her life to him. Yet no matter how patiently and frequently she explained this, her kin refused to listen. They kept insisting that she was misguided, that she’d been tricked or blackmailed somehow into abandoning her true self. Every aspect of her wedding became ammunition for this argument: the rich, regal decorations were supposedly anathema to Naomi’s taste; the tight, strapless dress hugging her shapely body was somehow proof that her senses had been perverted; and, of course, the fact that Master’s friends were the only other guests could only be explained by some vast, incredible conspiracy.

Despite Naomi’s best efforts, eventually this deluge of doubt became too much. It hurt to hear all these awful accusations, to sense murky, disquieting specters stirring in the back of her mind, memories of a life filled with plans and opinions and thoughts of her own. As soon as she had the chance, Naomi fled inquisitive, invasive looks of her family, and clung to her owner’s side for the rest of the night. No matter what else happened, he would make sure everything was alright, and subdue her worries with his low, soothing words.

The night was drawing to a close now. The cake had been served, and the guests were all seated at their respective tables. As Master placed a ruby red strawberry upon Naomi’s waiting tongue, a glimpse of movement caught her eye across the room. Her parents were rising from their seats, trying to usher her two sisters towards the door. The bride told herself she was relieved to see them go. It was clear they didn’t approve of her life with Master, and there was no way she could convince them otherwise. Yet as her siblings’ conflicted eyes met Naomi’s, an unusual feeling overtook her. It was a sensation she hadn’t experienced for some time, a longing not for her Master’s touch or approval, but a different sort of yearning. It was…warm and yet…sad…somehow.

“Excuse me just a moment, pet.”

Naomi blinked. Master had risen from his seat without her noticing, and his powerful voice now boomed across the reception hall.

“Please, stay a little longer,” he said, all eyes following his to the frozen family near the door. “I appreciate you coming out here, and I know our little celebration may not have been to your taste. But if you will indulge me for just one more moment, there is a very special tradition in my family that I dearly wish you to be a part of.”

Naomi frowned, sharing her parents’ puzzlement. Master gave her a reassuring smile and gestured towards the center of the room, to a space in between their table and the rest of the party. From the rafters, twin strips of dark velvet descended, slithering towards the hardwood floor and halting about five feet from its shiny surface. Before Naomi could process what was happening, Master signaled for her to stand, and she followed him towards the dangling fabric.

He stopped and turned to face her, holding her hands in his. “You swore yourself to me today, didn’t you?” he asked.

“Yes Master,” she murmured, smiling as her stomach fluttered.

“And you want to be a good girl for me don’t you? Now and forever? No matter what it takes?”

“Of course,” her lips answered. But for some reason, her eyes darted back to the baffled faces of her family. It was only for a moment, but she could tell Master noticed. Yet he didn’t seem disappointed or offended. In fact, his smile only broadened.

“That’s right,” he said, wrapping the velvet around her wrists. “Hold onto that thought and everything will be alright.”

Naomi wasn’t sure what he was talking about, but she raised no objection as he finished binding her hands. Nor did she protest when he grabbed her hips, moving them back and spreading her legs so that her back arched and her breasts dangled in their lace-lined shell. Yet despite knowing that it wasn’t her place to question Master, that he could do with her whatever he wished, again she found her attention drawn to the stricken expressions of her parents and sisters. They seemed paralyzed by the spectacle, not blinking or moving as the guests around them parted to offer a better view.

Then her mother gasped, hands flying to her horrified mouth. A faint, sharp clicking met the sound of tearing fabric, and Naomi realized Master was guiding scissors through her dress. A twinge of excitement and dread caused her to shiver, the briefest brush of metal chilling her skin before her husband tore the dress apart, exposing his slave’s pale backside to everyone assembled. Her ass was thrust out, bare legs trembling as arousal dripped down her smooth, stockinged thighs. Master glided his hand down the small of her back, and Naomi quivered with growing desire. What meager mental faculties she had were melting away, burning beneath the heat, the passion, the overwhelming authority of her owner’s touch.

And yet…something wasn’t right. Even as her Master squeezed and massaged her supple, sensitive flesh, the sensations weren’t as blinding as they usually were. Naomi was still aware of the dismay and disgust emanating from her parents, could still feel the pinpricks of her sisters’ shocked stares. Normally, the faithful slave didn’t mind being displayed or toyed with in public. Yet for some reason, even with Master stoking the heat and need inside her…a part of Naomi wished that he wouldn’t…

Smack!

The blow echoed around the room, followed by Naomi’s sharp gasp as her ass rippled with pain. Her stomach tightened, the dark feelings she’d suppressed surging forth, as if her Master’s strike had broken their restraints. Binding and stripping her in front of her family was one thing. But spanking her while they watched…making them see her skin redden with pain and humiliation…punishing her like a disobedient slut even after she’d been so good…it was…it was…

Master was speaking to her now, his voice penetrating her helpless brain with smooth, practiced eased. He parted her thoughts with his wonderful words, spreading her mind open and filling it with his deep, irresistible power. Her muscles softened and relaxed, her mouth falling open as a meditative calm fell over her. When Master spoke, she listened. And she obeyed.

He was explaining things to her. Assuring her she was still a good girl. Assuring her that she was still making him happy. Naomi hadn’t known she needed to hear this, but she absolutely did. Her chest blossomed with warmth, her breath becoming hot and excited as he stroked her dripping cunt. All was becoming well again. Of course he needed to do this to her. Of course he needed to show her family what an obedient whore she was. This was what it meant to become his bride. This is what she’d always wanted.

Smack!

Naomi let out a cry, the fog breaking as pain shot across her rear. Her surroundings returned with blistering clarity, as did the fear and anger Master had just finished dispelling. She hung her head, panting as the world seemed to spin around her. She was so confused. So lost. She didn’t want her parents to see her this way. Didn’t want this to be how her sisters thought of her from now on. And yet, to defy her owner was…was…

…Was not what a good girl did, Master reminded her. He was speaking again, but this time, the words didn’t slip so easily into her head. There was pressure now, resistance borne of an instinct she hadn’t realized she still had. It was faint, and growing fainter by the second. But as her eyelids fluttered and her tongue lolled from her lips, Naomi finally understood what was happening.

Her education was finally coming to an end.

Master had known all along. Somehow, he’d known there were still remnants of her old self inside, jagged thoughts and ideas that had been buried, but not eliminated. Now he was finishing what he’d started. He was bringing those edges to the surface, only to melt them down and smooth them out, until every part of her was as pliable and compliant as he desired. If he’d tried this when her lessons first began, her raging emotions would’ve fought him off.

But now…her beating heart urged him on.

Smack!

Her eldest sister covered her eyes. Naomi wished she could do the same. But even if she hadn’t been bound, the strength was already fading from her body, suborned by the tendrils of tension coiling inside her, teasing and twisting until it felt like they might break her open. Even as a sting of shame lingered, Naomi was finding it harder and harder to care. Because she…was a good girl and…she wanted to…wanted to…

Smack!

Naomi came with a shriek, the velvet ropes rattling up to the rafters. Her mind fell into a spiraling daze, all sense of direction lost as her vision blurred and swam. Then Master’s words grabbed hold, and she was relieved to be guided back into his hands, to feel him discarding the rest of her dress along with the last shreds of her resistance. Soon, she was completely exposed, no longer caring who saw her stiff, quivering nipples or pathetic, desperate expression. She drooled and leaked freely upon the polished wooden floor, saliva pooling with sweat and arousal at her bare, trembling feet.

Smack!

Her body sang with her Master’s touch. Could her sisters hear it, she dimly wondered? Could they hear the music of her surrender?

Smack! Smack! Smack!

She no longer wondered anything. No longer thought anything. She was no longer a person, but a conduit. A throbbing thing of pleasure and service, to be grasped and pulled and struck and fucked to her owner’s content. That was all she was good for. All she would ever be good for.

Smack!

“You are my slave,” her Master proclaimed.

“I am your slave,” his broken bride replied.

Smack!

“You belong to me, body and soul.”

“I belong to you, body and soul.”

Smack!

“Nothing is more important than serving me.”

“Nothing is more important than serving you.”

Smack!

“My pleasure is all that matters.”

“Your pleasure is all that matters.”

Smack!

“You will do anything for me.”

“I will do anything for you.”

Smack!

“You will give everything to me.”

“I will give everything to you.”

“Good girl. You may now cum for your Master.”

She did. And as the familiar specters faded from the cheering crowd, a euphoric smile spread across her face.

It was just like Master had said. What a beautiful wedding indeed.