Chapter 28 – The Unavoidable Reality

Celeste sat at the edge of the bed, her fingers clutching the sheets tightly. The room was silent, save for the rhythmic ticking of the clock that echoed in her head. Alistair's words kept replaying—his promise that sounded more like a sentence, his certainty that left her with no room to refuse.

Footsteps approached. Celeste tensed as Alistair stopped before her, his hand lifting to touch her chin. "You look uneasy," he murmured, his tone far too gentle for someone who had just uttered a threat.

"Do you really think I can just accept all of this?" Celeste finally spoke, her voice trembling despite her attempt to stay firm.

Alistair smirked. "You don't have a choice."

Her heartbeat pounded against her ribs. "You can't force me forever."

"Can't I?" Alistair narrowed his eyes, then leaned down, his voice a whisper against her ear. "Then I'll simply make sure you never want to leave."

A shiver ran through Celeste's body. There was something in his voice—something dark, filled with unwavering determination.

Alistair pulled back slightly, his gaze locking onto hers, stripping away every last defense she had. "I've given you enough time to adjust, Celeste. I am not a patient man."

"What do you mean?" Celeste barely recognized her own voice.

Alistair smirked. "I mean, we're done playing games."

Her stomach dropped. There was something in his eyes that told her… whatever happened next would change everything.

Celeste struggled to steady her breath, trying to ignore the coldness creeping through her body. Alistair's gaze was sharp, piercing straight into her, leaving her with no place to hide.

"What do you mean by 'stop playing games'?" she asked, even though a part of her already knew the answer.

Alistair raised an eyebrow before lowering himself to her level. His cold fingers touched her chin, forcing her to look at him. "You know exactly what I mean, Celeste."

She swallowed hard, her body stiff. "I can't just become yours, Alistair."

Alistair chuckled, but there was no warmth in the sound. "Oh, you've been mine for a long time. You just need to realize it."

Celeste tried to look away, but his grip on her jaw tightened. "You know... I can make sure you have no other choice."

A shiver ran down her spine. There was an unspoken threat laced in his voice.

"What do you mean?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Alistair studied her for a moment before leaning in, his breath warm against her ear. "I can make you depend on me, Celeste. Physically, emotionally… and if necessary, permanently."

Her eyes widened, her body frozen in place. His words echoed in her mind, sending waves of fear that made it hard to breathe.

Alistair smirked, satisfied with her reaction. "Don't worry, darling. You just need to surrender… and everything will be so much easier."

Celeste wanted to fight, to scream that she wasn't someone who could be controlled at his will. But there was something in Alistair's gaze—something dark, unwavering—that made her realize one terrifying truth.

He wouldn't stop.

Not until he had her.