[Alter route] Ashley's birthday party.

[Note: They did not leave for home.]

He opened the magazine where Ashley was able to read some of the article names on the content page.

"Eeeew, mom. Why the fuck would you give away a magazine like this?! What makes you think he would want this. It's gross."

"You shut your whore mouth this instant Ashley" the mother exploded.

"You should be grateful that Theodore here took you in, and I am seeing very little of that right now."

Mother's outburst hung in the air like a slap. Ashley flinched, her jaw tightening. She wanted to scream back, but something in her chest held it down -- maybe the collar, maybe the way Theo's hand rested on her shoulder, a silent reminder of whom she now belonged to.

"Sorry," Ashley muttered, dropping her gaze to the floor. Her cheeks burned. She could feel her parents' eyes on her, judging, measuring. Her father cleared his throat.

"That's better. Good girl." said Mom.

Theodore cleared his throat. "Thank you, Mrs. Jones. I appreciate the subscription."

Ashley's father nodded approvingly. "We figured you'd need guidance as a first-time slave owner."

Ashley wanted to scream. I'm standing right here. I'm not a fucking car you just bought. But the words died in her throat when Mom's glare locked onto her.

Mom stood and smoothed her dress. "Well, since you're both here, and, although she's a slave, it's still Ashley's birthday, we prepared a little celebration. Nothing fancy. Your birthday cake is in the kitchen. We thought we'd have dinner first, then cut it." She stood, gesturing for them to follow.

Ashley's stomach churned. She didn't want a celebration. She wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. But Theo gave a small nod, and she knew she had no choice.

Dinner was a quiet affair. Ashley's mother had made roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans -- Ashley's favorite, normally. But now each bite felt like sand in her mouth. She sat beside Theo's chair, eating with her hands, since her parents did not offer her a fork.

Ashley bit her tongue. She could feel Theo's leg against hers, a steady presence. He ate normally, making small talk with her parents. The family talked like she wasn't there. Her father discussed work. Her mother asked Theodore about his classes. Ashley's mind drifted, just nodded along.

"Have some meat Ash," Theo said at one point, pushing a slice of chicken breast toward her, "it's good for girls, right?"

"Of course, dear. She is your property. Whatever you think is best." Mom said.

*Whatever you think is best.* The words settled into Ashley's heart like stones.

Finally, her mother cleared the dishes. "Time for cake!"

She brought it out from the kitchen -- a round, two-layer cake with white icing and pink trim. Ashley watched her set it on the dining table, and as she turned it around, Ashley's blood went cold.

There, on top, in pink cream, was a detailed drawing of a pussy. Not just a random pussy -- it is her pussy. The shape. The folds. The little nub at the top. It was shaped exactly like hers. Below it, in strawberry jam, the words:

Happy Birthday to Ashley, the world's most obedient slave girl.

"No," Ashley breathed.

"What's that, dear?" Her mother smiled.

"The fuck is this?!" Ashley stood up, her chair scraping the floor. "You drew my -- my cunt on a cake? Are you insane?!"

"Language, Ashley." Mom's hand smacked the table, making the silverware jump. "Is that how you speak to your mother on your birthday?"

"My birthday? You drew my pussy on a cake!"

"Watch your mouth!" Dad's voice joined in, low, deep, dangerous, and commanding. "Sit down."

"No! I won't --"

"Sit. Down."

Theo's hand caught her wrist. "Ash," he said quietly. "Sit down."

She looked at him, saw the warning in his eyes. She sat back to her chair, trembling. She wanted to cry, wanted to scream. Instead, Ashley felt moisture gathering between her thighs. Why? Why does this turn me on? I hate it. I hated myself for the wetness I could feel starting to drip.

"That's a good girl," her mother cooed. "Now, let's put in the candles."

Ashley watched as her mother inserted eighteen candles into the cake -- carefully, deliberately avoiding the pussy design. Her father lit them. The flames flickered, casting shadows across the room.

"Make a wish, sweetheart," her mother said.

Ashley closed her eyes. She wished she was somewhere else. Anyone else. She wished she had never tackled Bruce. She wished she had just let him hit Theo. She wished she was dead. But she couldn't say that. So she just blew.

"What did you wish for?" her mother asked.

"It's a secret. You always told me don't tell others your wish."

Her mother's smile hardened. "That rule is for free girls, Ashley. You are a slave. You have no secrets. If you don't want to tell us, you can at least tell your master."

She turned to Theo, "She's yours now. You have a right to know her thoughts." Her father also leaned forward. "Tell him, Ashley."

Ashley's eyes met Theodore's. He looked curious, maybe a little hungry. She swallowed. "I wished... I wished I could serve you well, Master."

"Good girl," Theo said.

Then her mother laughed. "Oh, honey. It's great to see you getting more obedient. Now, cut the cake."

Ashley took the knife. The handle was cool in her palm. Her hand shook. She hesitated over the cake, angled it to cut away from the pussy, to take a clean slice from the side. But her mother stopped her.

"Ashley. Give that part to Theo. Your pussy belongs to him."

"No," Ashley whispered.

"Now."

She couldn't refuse. Her hand moved as if possessed. She sliced through the cake, separating the pussy design from the rest. The pink cream smeared. She placed the piece on a plate and slid it in front of Theo. He stared at it, then at her. My pussy on a plate, Ashley thought, and in front of Theo.

"Enjoy it, Theodore," her mother said. "It's your property."

Theo picked up the fork. He hesitated only a second before taking a bite. Ashley watched him chew, watched his throat move as he swallowed. He ate the whole piece. When he was done, he wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"She tastes sweet," he said, and Ashley's face burned.

Her parents beamed. Her mother stood and hugged Theo. Dad cleared his throat. "Theodore, we've known you for eighteen years. We watched you grow up. We always hoped..." He paused, exchanging a glance with Mom. "We feel completely at ease entrusting our daughter to you."

Mom nodded, dabbing at her eyes with a napkin. "She's stubborn. Strong-willed. But she has a good heart. You just have to know how to handle her."

Dad continued, "Take good care of her. Or don't, if you wish. She's yours to use as you please."

Ashley watched her parents handed her over like a package. Like furniture. Like something that could be passed from one owner to another.

Then they turned to Ashley. "Behave yourself in Theo's home. Serve your master to the best of your ability. This is your life now. Make us proud."

Proud. They wanted me to be a good slave. To make them proud. "Yes, Mom," Ashley said, her voice hollow.

Her parents left the room, heading upstairs. Theo stood, taking the leash from his pocket and clipping it back to her collar.

"Come on, Ash. Let's go home."

She followed, her bare feet cold on the floor. The front door closed behind them. The collar felt heavier than it was this morning. The leash felt shorter. And between Ashley's legs, the wetness continued to spread, a traitor to her own shame.

What's wrong with me? Ashley thought as Theodore tugged her forward, walking into the evening air.