Chapter 21 – The Inevitable Night

Celeste sat at the edge of her bed, her fingers clenched tightly over her knees. Alistair's words still echoed in her ears.

"I want everyone to know who you are."

What did he mean? Was this some kind of declaration that she belonged to him? Or was there something else he was planning?

She couldn't figure it out.

But one thing was certain—Alistair always had a purpose behind every move he made. And this time, Celeste was sure she was part of a much bigger game.

---

The night of the party arrived faster than Celeste had expected.

A deep crimson satin gown hugged her body, chosen by Alistair himself. The dress was luxurious but revealed too much skin, as if designed to make her stand out in the crowd.

Standing before the mirror, Celeste barely recognized the woman staring back at her. Her brown eyes appeared larger due to the makeup, her lips painted a bold shade of red, and her hair cascaded in soft waves over her shoulders.

The door to her room opened without warning.

Alistair stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over her with a look of pure possession.

"Beautiful," he murmured, his voice husky.

Celeste held her breath as he approached, his fingers lifting her chin gently.

"You know, Celeste," he whispered, looking straight into her eyes, "after tonight, no one will dare lay a hand on you."

His tone was calm, but beneath it lay a clear, unspoken threat.

Celeste bit her lip, refusing to respond.

Alistair smirked before slipping his arm around her waist.

"Come. Don't keep me waiting."

And with that, he pulled her into his darker world.

---

The moment they arrived at the grand ballroom filled with the city's most powerful figures, Celeste felt the weight of countless eyes on her.

Soft murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"Who is she?"

"That girl… with Alistair?"

"Is she his new plaything?"

Celeste clenched her tongue between her teeth, trying to ignore the whispers.

Alistair, on the other hand, remained utterly composed. He held her waist firmly, leading her through the room as if ensuring that every single person took notice of them.

Then, a middle-aged man approached with a polite smile.

"Alistair," he greeted. "And this?"

Alistair pulled Celeste even closer.

"Celeste," he said, his voice laced with meaning. "Mine."

Celeste stiffened.

His.

As if she were nothing more than a possession to be displayed.

The man chuckled, but there was something else in his gaze—something that made Celeste uneasy.

"Beautiful," he remarked, taking a sip of his champagne. "You always had exquisite taste."

Celeste felt Alistair's grip tighten at her waist, a silent warning.

"Remember that," Alistair said coldly.

The man's expression shifted slightly before he raised his hands in surrender.

"Relax, Alistair. I wouldn't dare touch what's yours."

Celeste's stomach churned.

They were speaking as if she were an object to be claimed.

But before she could process it all, Alistair leaned in, his breath warm against her ear.

"Tonight is just beginning, Celeste."

And with that, he pulled her even deeper into a game she had yet to understand.

Celeste could still feel the piercing gazes of the men in the room, as if she were a display piece set out for scrutiny and judgment. Her stomach churned with unease.

Yet, Alistair's grip on her waist only tightened, keeping her firmly by his side.

"Listen," Alistair whispered near her ear, his voice low but sharp. "I don't want a single man here thinking they can approach you. Do you understand?"

Celeste pressed her lips together tightly. She didn't want to respond, but Alistair wasn't giving her a choice. His fingers curled under her chin, forcing her to look directly into his dark, piercing eyes.

"I asked you a question, Celeste."

That gaze demanded obedience—just as it always did. And Celeste knew that defiance was not an option in this moment.

"…Yes," she murmured softly.

Alistair smirked, satisfied. "Good."

Then, without warning, he pulled her closer and pressed a kiss to the corner of her lips—so casual, yet so possessive, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Celeste froze, her body going rigid.

And that was the moment the whispers in the room grew louder.

"My God, they're really together."

"I never thought Alistair would be so blatant."

"He's making his claim, isn't he?"

Celeste felt herself shrinking under the weight of all those stares.

But Alistair seemed to revel in it. He smirked, then murmured, "Now everyone knows. And not a single one of them will dare come near you."

Celeste held her breath.

To her, this wasn't just a declaration of ownership. It was a warning.

But before she could steady herself, another voice suddenly cut through the air behind them.

"Alistair."

The voice was deep and authoritative.

Celeste turned and saw a tall man clad in a sleek black suit standing before them. His face was sharp, his gaze piercing, and there was something in the way he looked at her that sent a chill down her spine.

"It's been a while," the man continued. "And I believe this is the first time I've ever seen you with someone by your side."

Celeste felt Alistair tense for a brief moment before he relaxed again, his smirk returning.

"Malcolm," Alistair greeted, his tone calm but laced with a subtle tension. "What an interesting coincidence to run into you tonight."

Malcolm.

That name sounded dangerous.

Celeste didn't know who this man was, but something in his eyes told her he wasn't just another guest at this party.

And he was looking at her the same way the other men in the room did—like a game to be played.

Before Celeste could process any of it, Alistair pulled her even closer, leaving no space between them.

"Don't even think about touching her, Malcolm," Alistair's voice was low, almost a growl. "I don't like sharing."

Malcolm's smile widened. "Oh? It seems you're quite serious this time."

Celeste held her breath.

She didn't know what was unfolding before her.

But one thing was certain—tonight, she wasn't just under Alistair's gaze. She was under the watch of someone who could be just as dangerous, if not more.