“You’re not even worth it.” I pull away, noting the heavy sigh slipping past her lips. “You don’t get off that easy, Melody. By your actions, you threatened what was mine. This is going to hurt. Make no mistake about it.” Her body tenses as she waits for the first blow. It never comes.
Minutes go by, and not a sound is heard. No talking, no murmurs, just ragged breath laced with fear. Millimeter by millimeter, I watch as the muscles in her ass let go. The moment she’s soft, unexpecting, that’s when the first blow hits. Melody howls in agony as the thick leather connects with both ass cheeks at the same time.
Once again, she clenches up, thinking she can get away from the pain by holding still. But I wait. I’m a patient man when I need to be. After a few minutes, fatigue sets in, and she relaxes again. The moment she does, I’m back with another blow. Over and over, we play this game until her cries become sobs. Her cheeks are mottled red and purple, and blow after blow punishes the tender skin.
It’s not until she’s a quivering, sobbing mess that I finally relent. I toss the strap to one of the acolytes and motion for Jeremy to take over. He wastes no time in getting her off the cross and gathered into his arms. I don’t know what he says to her, and I don’t care.
John stands back up. “Are you satisfied with the punishment?”
I look straight at Chastity. “I am.”
“Good. Now we will proceed to the initiation and claiming. Jeremy, do you wish for us to wait or proceed without you.”
“I am certainly happy to sit this one out.”
Walking over to Chastity, I smooth my hands over her hair, tipping her head back to look at me. “Now is the time when you need to trust me. Do this, and all will be forgiven. The men will not touch you, but they will mark you. Keep your eyes on me. Don’t look away. Can you do that?”
Her lower lip trembles as she nods. Normally I’d force her to use her words, but at this moment, I’m more concerned about her mental state with what’s about to happen. Leading her over to the bed, I undo her cape and drape it over the railing.
Part of the initiation is the humiliation, solidifying one's place in The Society. Normally, I relish in breaking down the submissives that end up joining. Most of the time, they’re here because of their transgressions, and so part of the humiliation is their punishment.
Chastity, however, is different. She never asked to be here. She never chose this. Her only crime was being at the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s not her fault she’s saddled with a monster like me. She trembles as others take in her nakedness. At this moment, I’m even more grateful that Jeremy took Melody away to see to her wounds. It would be even worse for Chastity if she knew her sister was here to watch her being brought down so low.
“You can look down at the floor if that makes you more comfortable, but keep your hands at your sides,” I whisper into her ear. “You can do this. They’re only going to look. No one will touch you.” I place my hand against her sternum and breath in deep, waiting for her frenetic breathing to calm down. “Safe. Secure. Owned. I’ve got you. No one is going to change that.”
I leave her standing as I take out the four hanks of rope. Normally, we cuff our submissives to the bed, but I know how much Chastity craves the rope. This small touch should be enough to help comfort her. It will feel familiar - like me. It’s not impersonal like the cuffs.
“On the bed facing up.” She scrambles up, and I have to stifle a laugh. Resting my palm against her once more, we breathe together before I start to tie her limbs. As the first coil goes around her left wrist, her eyelids become heavy, dipping just a touch. This is exactly the effect I was hoping it would have.
One by one, I tie her other wrist then her ankles. By the time I’m at her left leg, her body sags, all fear seeping out. I go back to the head of the bed and stand over her, tilting her chin up, so she’s looking directly at me. “Just remember to keep your eyes on me, sweetie. Don’t look at anyone but me.”
* * *