Chapter 3 : An Unavoidable Bond

The room was thick with tension, hanging in the air like a storm waiting to erupt. Celeste remained trapped between Alistair's body and the wall, her breath caught, yet her eyes still held defiance.

Alistair lifted her chin with a single finger, forcing her to meet his dark, gleaming eyes. "You know, Celeste," his voice was low, almost a whisper that seeped into her thoughts. "There are many ways to ensure you'll never escape from me."

Celeste swallowed hard, heat crawling up her spine. "What do you mean?" she asked, though she already feared the answer.

Alistair's smirk darkened, radiating dominance. "If I want you to stay, I only need to bind you to me in the most natural way." His fingers traced the delicate lines of her face, trailing down her neck with a touch both gentle and threatening. "I could make you carry my child, Celeste."

Her heart pounded violently. Her entire body froze, her eyes widening in both fear and shock. "You wouldn't," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Alistair chuckled softly, as if amused by her reaction. "Oh, really? You think I wouldn't go that far?" He leaned in closer, his lips mere inches from her ear. "Sweetheart, you are far too precious for me to let go so easily. And if you insist on being stubborn… I have other ways to make sure you stay with me."

A chill ran down Celeste's spine. This wasn't just an empty threat—Alistair wasn't the type of man to speak without intent.

"You have no right to do this to me," she whispered weakly, trying to find some leverage, some way to fight back.

Alistair lifted his head slightly, staring deep into her eyes. "Wrong," he said with certainty. "I have every right over you, Celeste. You just haven't realized it yet."

Celeste felt the slight tremble in her clenched fists. She had to find a way out. She couldn't let herself be trapped in this man's game. But how?

As she was still searching for an answer, Alistair suddenly pulled her closer, making her gasp. "Relax, sweetheart," his voice was thick with control. "I'll give you time to think. But remember this—I always get what I want."

Celeste held her breath, her body weak with dread. She knew—Alistair wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted.

And this time, what he wanted… was her.

Celeste could feel her breath quicken, but not out of desire—rather, it was the creeping fear seeping into her bones, invading every inch of her awareness. Alistair was still watching her, his handsome face now appearing even more dangerous under the dim light of the room.

"Are you afraid?" His voice was calm, nearly a whisper, yet it carried a dominance that made Celeste feel even more cornered.

She wanted to deny it, but her body couldn't lie. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her palms were damp with sweat, and her knees felt weak. Still, she tried to show courage. "I'm not afraid of you," she said, her voice trembling but determined.

Alistair let out a low chuckle, dark and laced with mockery. "You're a stubborn girl, Celeste. I like that." His fingers traced the line of her jaw, trailing down to her neck, touching her with a gentleness that felt far more terrifying than any rough threat. "But no matter how hard you try to resist, you're still mine. You know that, don't you?"

Celeste bit her lip, refusing to answer. She didn't want to acknowledge the truth, but she also couldn't deny that Alistair held complete control over her life at this moment.

He leaned in closer, so near that Celeste could feel the warmth of his body, the intoxicating scent of his masculinity filling the space between them. "I could make you mine completely in a single night, Celeste. And if I do, you'll never be able to run again."

Celeste stiffened, her eyes widening in shock. "You wouldn't dare—"

Alistair cut her off with a low, amused laugh. "Sweetheart, I'm Alistair Sinclair. I always do whatever I want." His fingers slid to her waist, pulling her even closer. "And I never fail to claim what's mine."

Celeste tried to take a deep breath, but her lungs felt tight. She had to think fast, find a way to escape this man's grasp before she truly lost control over her own fate.

But how could anyone run from a man who had everything—including the power to destroy and own her completely?

The room felt smaller by the second. Celeste could hear her own heartbeat pounding wildly, as if it wanted to escape from her chest. Alistair was still watching her, his dark, piercing eyes filled with something she couldn't quite understand—or perhaps, she was too afraid to.

"You know, Celeste," Alistair whispered, his fingers slowly caressing the side of her face. "If you keep resisting me, I only need one way to make sure you'll never be able to run."

Celeste tried to swallow, but her throat felt unbearably dry. "I'm not yours," she said, her voice trembling.

Alistair's smile widened, but there was no warmth in it—only absolute dominance. "You've been mine since the first night I wanted you, sweetheart. I just haven't touched you yet… but I could, anytime I want."

Celeste tensed, her body freezing under his gaze. His fingers trailed down to her waist, gripping her gently, yet with an unspoken demand.

"What if I make you carry my child?" he whispered against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

She stared at him, unable to hide the shock in her expression. "You wouldn't… You won't do that."

Alistair traced her lips with his thumb, as if savoring the fear that was so evident in her eyes. "Oh, I can. And I will—if that's the only way to keep you here."

Celeste struggled against his hold, but Alistair only tightened his grip. He pulled her into his embrace, pressing her close until she could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat—so calm, so composed, a stark contrast to her own turmoil.

"Look at how your body reacts to me, Celeste," he murmured, his voice laced with a teasing softness. "You can hate me with your words, but your body won't lie to me."

Celeste held her breath, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. This wasn't just a threat—it was something far bigger than that. When Alistair wanted something, he would get it, no matter what.

"You can't do this," her voice was barely above a whisper.

Alistair lifted her chin again, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Not only can I… but I will."

Celeste bit her lip, her mind racing with all the terrible possibilities. She had to find a way to stop this man before it was too late.

But how could she possibly stop someone who had never known the meaning of the word 'no'?