Chapter 36 – Between Fate and Desire

Celeste remained frozen in place. Alistair's words echoed in her mind, making it hard to breathe.

Marry me.

How could he say it so easily, as if marriage was merely a transaction he could decide on his own? Celeste knew Alistair wasn't the type of man to accept the word no, but this… this was too sudden.

"I can't," Celeste finally whispered, her voice uncertain yet trying to remain firm.

Alistair simply stared at her. His jaw tightened, and his expression shifted—not with anger, but with the look of someone who was used to getting what he wanted and didn't take rejection well.

"Why not?" he asked, his voice deep and serious.

Celeste shook her head. "Because this is insane, Alistair. You can't just decide something this big on your own."

Alistair raised a hand, gently touching her cheek, his movements contrasting with the intensity in his gaze. "I'm not deciding alone, Celeste. I'm simply making clear what's already there. I can't imagine you with anyone else, and I know you feel the same."

Celeste wanted to argue, but her lips felt frozen. How could she deny something she was slowly beginning to realize?

"Alistair…" Celeste searched for the right words. "Marriage isn't just about… possessing someone. This isn't a game."

Alistair smirked. "Who said it was a game to me?"

Celeste sighed. "Then why? Why do you want to marry me?"

Alistair held her gaze for a long moment before answering. "Because I want to make sure you stay by my side. I want you to be mine—not just for now, but forever."

Celeste's heart pounded. She didn't know whether to feel touched or terrified. Alistair always had a way of making her lose control of her own thoughts.

"I… I need time," Celeste finally whispered.

Alistair studied her for a moment before nodding. "Fine. I'll give you time."

Celeste exhaled in relief—at least she wasn't being forced into a decision right away.

But then Alistair added something that made her stomach drop.

"But don't take too long, Celeste. I'm not a patient man."

A promise or a warning? Celeste didn't know. All she knew was that after this, her life would never be the same again.

She stared at the man before her, her emotions tangled in a web of confusion and desire. Alistair always had a way of making her feel as if she was standing on the edge of a cliff, forced to choose a path that would change everything.

"You're not patient?" Celeste repeated his words, trying to gauge just how serious he was.

Alistair nodded, then pulled her closer, his breath warm against her skin. "I've waited long enough, Celeste," his voice was low, deep. "Waiting for you to realize you can't run from me."

Celeste swallowed hard, trying to break free from his piercing gaze. "And if I'm still unsure?" she asked softly.

Alistair's lips curved into a faint smile, his fingers threading through her hair with surprising gentleness. "I won't force you," he said, shocking her. "But I won't let you think for too long either. Because I know, in the end, you'll come back to me."

Celeste shook her head, frustrated by how confident and dominant he was. "How can you be so sure?"

Alistair leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, his voice dangerously intoxicating. "Because I know you, Celeste. I can feel it in every reaction, every breath you take when I touch you. I know you feel the same."

Celeste clenched her hands into fists, trying to hold onto her sanity. "This isn't just about fleeting emotions, Alistair. Marriage is for a lifetime—"

"I know." Alistair cut her off swiftly. "And I want to spend my lifetime with you."

Celeste's heartbeat thundered in her chest. The words came so effortlessly from him, but she knew just how deeply they meant.

Alistair then lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "I'll give you time, but only so you can accept the truth—not to run from it."

Celeste had no words. A part of her wanted to fight, but another part… a deeper part… wanted everything Alistair was offering.

She didn't want to admit it. Not now. But deep down, Celeste knew—maybe, just maybe, she had already fallen too far.