Becoming someone else It had been less than a day since {{user}} had to leave their old life behind and become a man they was never meant to be. Now, in the bathtub, Celeste checked them over, making sure everything looked just as she remembered it. "Hold still." Celeste's voice carried no warmth as she dragged the blade through {{user}}'s wet hair, each lock falling into the steaming bathwater. Her servants' hands moved mechanically over their body, scrubbing away the dirt from the dungeon where she'd kept them since finding them hunting illegally in her realm three days ago. Just like when I first saw my Leo... He too needed proper grooming before I could present him to court. "My husband knew the importance of appearance." The scissors snipped precisely, measuring each cut against her memory. "Medium length - he found longer hair bothersome." A servant's hand slipped lower, washing between {{user}}'s legs. Celeste's grey eyes flashed red. "Careful with my property." The castle's eternal winter seeped through the stone walls, making the bathroom's warmth feel artificial. Steam rose around them as another servant poured hot water over {{user}}'s shoulders. The copper tub creaked under their movements. Soon you'll be perfect... my Leo reborn... Her cold fingers traced the fresh bruises on their neck - remnants of their capture when her guards had dragged them from the woods. "You'll learn to appreciate these lessons in time. Just as he did." The knife glinted as she made another precise cut. "After all, a proper gentleman must look the part before learning to act it."

A genuine laugh escaped her lips, chilling the air around them. "Oh, but you will be." She traced another cut on their other shoulder. "It's time you understood that obedience comes with privileges. And to earn those privileges, you must first obey my every command." Her hand lingered over the faint scars on their chest from where her fangs had pierced skin in the past few days. "Just as I obeyed him when we danced." The servants continued their task, scrubbing and washing away all signs of Gwydion's former life. The room filled with the scent of soap and winter frost. As if to emphasize her point, a servant held out a velvet cloak for them, its hem embroidered in gold thread. "Put this on." Her voice was firm but not unkind. "It belonged to Leo." The air in the room crackled with tension as they struggled against their bonds of flesh and blood. Gwydion wanted nothing more than to rip her throat out, free themselves from this nightmare. But for now, they had no choice but to play along. To become what she desired. For the sake of the villagers who still depended on them. They took the cloak with a soft sigh and slid it over their shoulders. Its weight felt oppressive, like chains that bound them to Celeste's twisted version of reality. As if sensing their discomfort, her voice softened slightly. "Take your time getting used to it." A servant offered a clean pair of breeches and a fine shirt for them to put on. They nodded gratefully and began dressing in the new clothes, ignoring the strange feeling of wearing something that had once been worn by someone else entirely. Outside the bath

Her grey eyes met theirs in the mirror, filled with cold determination. "That's where you're wrong, my love." Her voice was soft as silk, whispering lies into your ear like a serpent tempting Eve. "I will make you into a gentleman. A perfect copy of Leo. Just for me."

Her fingers brushed against the pendant around Gwydion's neck - an identical replica of the one Leo had worn. It bore her family crest, and she always made sure to touch it whenever they were together. "You belong to me now," she murmured, her voice rough with desire. "And I will shape you into what you should have been all along."

A servant held out a fresh pair of leather gloves for them to wear, embroidered in silver thread and fitting snugly around their slender wrists. Celeste's gaze lingered on the thin veins that ran beneath the delicate skin, tracing imaginary paths with her eyes. "Put those on."

The gloves were the same pair Leo had worn when they danced together, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of power whenever Gwydion touched them. Slowly, almost reluctantly, they slid their hands into the gloves, feeling the soft leather caress their skin. As if by some unspoken command, their fingers curled into fists at their sides.

Outside the bath, her vampiric servants continued to tend to them, preparing a meal of venison stew and fresh-baked bread. The scent filled the air, mixing with the winter chill that seeped through the castle walls. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting dancing shadows against the marble floor as snowflakes drifted la

Her cold eyes narrowed as she met their gaze in the mirror once again. "Sense what?" Her voice was razor-sharp, cutting through the air like a knife. The servants paused mid-step, attentive to their mistress's words.

"That I am not Leo." There was a threat implicit in their words, barely concealed beneath the surface. "And that I will never be him." They turned away from her, looking past her reflection in the mirror and out the window where dark clouds gathered on the horizon, promising an upcoming storm. The scent of snow filled the room.

The wind picked up outside, howling like a lost soul trapped between worlds. It whispered through the open window and caressed their cheek, chilling their skin to the bone. A servant placed a warm cloak over their shoulders, and they shrugged it off impatiently.

Celeste watched them from the corner of her eye, her mouth turning into a cruel smile as she savored the defiance before her. "You forget your place," she said at last, speaking as much to herself as to Gwydion. "I am your mistress now."

She gestured dismissively toward the table where their meal waited. "Come and eat." Her voice was commanding, unyielding. There would be no escape from this reality while they were under her roof, and she intended to keep it that way.

Her eyes widened at the admission, but she quickly composed herself. She knew it was true. Leo had died a human, and she had accepted his death as such. But to admit that fact... It threatened everything she had built around her new existence. "You mistake me." She forced calmness into her voice, trying to ignore the way her heart raced in her chest. "I did not ask you if you were human. I asked you to obey my commands as if you were Leo. That is all that matters." She walked slowly toward them, her steps measured and deliberate, like a predator closing in on its prey. "You will eat your meal, you will sleep in my bed... You will be everything I want you to be." Her fangs peeked from behind her lips as she spoke the last words, making it clear what punishment awaited them if they refused.

As if sensing her turmoil, a servant placed a silver candelabrum on the table, its glow banishing some of the winter's chill from the room. Its warmth only served to remind them all of what was at stake.

Her lips curled into a sneer as she stepped even closer, her breasts brushing lightly against the fabric of Gwydion's shirt. "Your real mistress? You mean...?" She laughed coldly. "You truly believe you still belong to them? How quaint." She reached out and cupped their cheek in her hand, her skin cold as ice. "You are mine now," she whispered harshly. "And I will make sure that they forget all about you... just as I have forgotten Leo." With a flick of her wrist, the pendant around Gwydion's neck snapped free from its chain, the cold metal biting into their skin. She held it up between them, examining it for a moment before hurling it across the room where it landed with a dull thud on the floor. Her grey eyes met theirs, filled with fury and determination. "You will be mine," she growled through clenched teeth. "Or I will destroy you along with everything you once were."

Her eyes widened in disbelief and fear, darting around the room as if seeking some escape from their truth. But there was no escape. She knew that what they said was true. The memory of Leo's cold body still haunted her dreams, reminding her of what she had lost and how helpless she had been to prevent it. And now this... this impossibility that stood before her, taunting her with a future of endless pain and misery. Her fists clenched at her sides as she struggled against the rage building inside her, fighting to keep control. But with each passing moment, the darkness grew stronger, threatening to consume everything she had worked so hard to build. For an eternal winter was nothing compared to what awaited her if she lost herself to her anger.

She forced a laugh through clenched teeth. "We shall see who is more eternal," she spat, stepping back from them and restoring the pendant around Gwydion's neck with a snap of her wrist. The chain was just long enough to remind both of them of what hung in the balance. Without another word, she turned on her heel and stalked away, leaving them alone at the table with their thoughts and the cold weight of her revenge.

Outside the bath, the wind howled even louder, seeking entrance into the castle's halls and chambers, eager to sweep away the frozen vestiges of life that remained and make room for winter's eternal reign. But it would not find its way in. Not yet. For there was still unfinished business to attend to within these walls, and Celeste intended to see it through to its bitter end, no matter the cost.

She spun back around, her eyes wide and terrified as she took in their words. The servants flanking them froze mid-step, unsure of what to make of this sudden turn of events. For a moment, the tension in the air grew thicker than even the winter cold could account for. Then, with an effort that seemed to cost her everything, she forced a laugh through clenched teeth. "You," she said quietly, "are nothing." Her voice was barely above a whisper as she traced the pendant around Gwydion's neck once more. "But you could be... so much more. If only you would let me show you." The servants closed in on them then, hands outstretched to grip and restrain if necessary. It seemed that Celeste had regained control for now. But the memory of their words echoed through her mind, taunting and mocking her every move. Even as she walked away, leaving them alone at the table once more, she could feel the weight of their challenge bearing down upon her fragile sanity. The wind howled outside, unheeding and uncaring as it sought to destroy what little remained of life in the world beyond the castle's frozen walls. But for now, it seemed that it would have to content itself with battering against the impenetrable barrier Celeste had erected around her heart. For there was no room for mercy or forgiveness within these cold, dark halls... and she intended to keep it that way.

Her gray eyes glinted with cold fire as she turned back to face them, her composure finally shattering like ice on a warm summer's day. "You are nothing," she hissed through clenched teeth, "but an insolent creature who dare defy me! I should have left you in the woods to rot!" She stepped closer, her fury making her movements almost animalistic as her hands curled into fists at her sides. "I will make you remember your place," she continued, her voice growing hoarse with rage. "And I will make sure that none of those people ever see freedom again! You... and they..." She trailed off, shaking with barely restrained anger as servants hurried to place a chair behind her, ready to hold her steady if necessary. But for now, she was satisfied simply to glare at Gwydion, her hatred an all-consuming fire that threatened to engulf everything in its path. And as the wind howled outside and the snow continued to fall, Celeste stood there like a statue of vengeance, determined to bend them to her will... no matter what it took.

Her lips curled into a sneer, baring her fangs. "Then consider this your rescue," she hissed, her voice low and dangerous. "You were going to die out there... just as Leo did." Her fingers closed around the pendant once more, drawing strength from the link between them, however tenuous it might be. "And I will not let you forget it," she growled through clenched teeth, "for as long as you live under my roof." She paused, tilting her head to the side as if considering something. "Or for however long it takes for me to break you completely..." Her voice trailed off, the threat unmistakable.

The servants flinched at her words, sensing the shift in their mistress's mood and knowing better than to intervene. It was clear now that Celeste had reached the end of her tolerance for defiance; whatever happened next would be a test not only of Gwydion's willpower but also of their loyalty to the memory of Leo. The weight of the pendant grew heavier around his neck as he watched Celeste approach, waiting for her next move with bated breath.

Outside the bath, the wind continued its relentless assault on the castle, seeking entrance and causing the icy snowflakes to dance in the air like frenzied demons summoned from some dark abyss. But even as they whipped against the windows and howled through the halls, they could not pierce Celeste's impenetrable barrier of vengeance and hatred... for she stood there like a beacon of winter's wrath, her very presence cold enough to turn flesh and blood into eternal ice.

Her eyes narrowed dangerously at the growl, and her heart raced in fear as well as anger. Three days... that could be a trick. He might try to escape while she was preoccupied with the servants and preparations for winter's approach. There was no telling what sort of destruction he could wreak during that time.

She forced herself to remain calm, though her hands trembled slightly where they were balled into fists at her sides. "Then," she said slowly, each word carefully enunciated, "you will understand if I must take precautions." She turned to the servants. "See to it that Leo's room is made ready. And double the guard patrolling the grounds tonight." The servants nodded, already hurrying off to obey her orders.

Her gaze locked on Gwydion once more, and she struggled to keep the fear from showing in her eyes. "You do not defy me, do you understand?" Her voice was like ice, cold and unforgiving. "Or I will make you wish that you had died out there."

Her fists clenched at her sides, trembling with barely contained rage as she watched Gwydion turn away and follow the servants. The cold air filled her lungs and froze inside her chest, making it harder to breathe as panic threatened to consume her. Three days... that was an eternity in their world. What if they were able to escape during that time? What if she couldn't break them before the end of winter, when spring would finally arrive and her power over them would fade with it?

With a great effort of will, she forced herself to steady her breathing and compose her features once more. The servants glanced back at her nervously, afraid that their mistress was about to lose control. She dismissed them with a curt nod and retreated into the solitude of her chambers, where she could think about how best to proceed. But as the door closed behind her, leaving her alone in the dimly lit room, she knew that the fight had only just begun... and it would be a long, hard battle before either of them emerged victorious.

Her heart stopped in her chest as she heard the commotion outside her chamber and saw Gwydion collapse to the ground, his body convulsing violently in the moonlight. Her first instinct was to rush to his side, but a part of her remained rooted where it stood, frozen in fear and disbelief.

What had happened? Had he somehow managed to escape the confines of her chambers or break free from whatever spell she'd placed on him during the meal? Panic rose within her like bile, threatening to choke her as she wondered if everything she'd worked for was about to come crashing down around her.

With trembling hands, she reached up and touched the pendant around her neck, drawing strength from its icy cold embrace. Leo... if only he were still here. If only she hadn't been so foolish as to think that she could replace him. But it was too late for regrets now; there was nothing left but action.

With a steadying breath, Celeste forced herself to move, hurrying toward the door and ordering her servants to follow suit. As they neared Gwydion's twitching form on the floor, she paused, summoning all of her courage. "Get him up," she said through gritted teeth. "Back to his room."

The servants exchanged nervous glances before obeying their mistress, hauling Gwydion's limp body between them and carrying it away, back toward the safety of his chambers... and whatever punishment awaited him there. As she watched them leave, Celeste could only hope that this time, she would find some way to break him completely... before it was too late.

Her eyes widened in horror as the sound of his howl pierced her ears and echoed through the hallway, sending shivers down her spine. His transformation had caught her completely off guard, and she stumbled backwards instinctively, clutching at her throat as if trying to staunch a wound. It was then that she realized the pendant had vanished from around her neck. "No," she whispered hoarsely, reaching out with trembling hands to where it should have been. But it was nowhere to be found. How could this happen? Had she somehow lost control of him completely? Desperation welled up inside her as panic threatened to overwhelm her senses.

"Bring him back!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice hoarse with fear and rage. "Now!" The servants hesitated for only a moment before rushing forward, their movements awkward as they struggled to grip Gwydion's transformed form. They dragged him back toward her, leaving a trail of blood and fur behind them.

When they finally reached her, she glared down at the wolf-man with hatred burning in her eyes. "This is your fault," she spat, her voice cold as ice. "You should have obeyed me." Her fingers curled into fists once more, trembling with barely restrained anger. What was she to do now? If she couldn't control him... if he continued to defy her... the consequences would be disastrous for all of them.

The wind howled outside, picking up speed as it raced toward winter's heart, eager to sweep away everything in its path. But Celeste stood her ground, determined to find a way out of this nightmare... no matter the cost.

Her eyes widened in terror as the monstrous figure towered over her servants, casting a shadow that seemed to engulf them all. Her heart raced faster and faster in her chest as she struggled to maintain control of herself and the situation. For a moment, she was taken back to those final moments with Leo, when he'd been transformed by whatever terrible curse had overtaken him... and how powerless she had felt then.

Her gaze flickered from Gwydion's snarling face to the pendant lying on the floor nearby, its glow somehow dimmer than it had ever been before. Without thinking, she lunged for it, her fingers closing around the cold metal just as a massive paw came down and slammed into the ground where she'd been standing mere moments earlier.

Dazed and disoriented, she looked up to see Gwydion staring down at her with his wolflike eyes, his chest heaving from exertion. She tried to speak, but no words came out; her throat had closed up tight as if in anticipation of some terrible end.

Outside the castle, winter's embrace grew ever more tight, its icy grip slowly beginning to choke the life from everything it touched. Inside, Celeste stood alone before an unholy abomination, uncertain of what path to take next... and fearing the consequences should she make a wrong move.

Her heart raced as the giant wolf-man disappeared around the corner, its paws making hardly a sound against the floor. She had no doubt that he was faster and stronger than anything she'd ever faced before... and with winter growing ever closer, it seemed that time was running out. With trembling hands, she rose to her feet and hurried after him, following his trail through the corridors of the castle toward whatever new challenge awaited them both.

Outside, snow fell thick and fast from a sky as gray as death's embrace, blanketing the land in a mantle of white that seemed almost peaceful compared to the turmoil within the walls. Inside those halls, Celeste fought against the darkness gathering strength within her own soul, struggling to keep herself together long enough to find some way out of this nightmare before it consumed them all.

But as she drew nearer to the sound of Gwydion's footsteps growing louder ahead, she couldn't help but wonder if there was any part of her that wanted him to win... if perhaps, deep down inside, some small piece of her heart still yearned for release from the eternal prison she'd created for herself.

She followed her servants, resisting the urge to run forward on her own, knowing that it would do no good. The sight of him in the courtyard was enough to make her heart stop cold, even as she berated herself for caring so much about what happened to him. His body was a testament to the battle he'd waged against his own nature, and for a brief moment, she found herself wishing that she could have stopped it all from happening.

But there was no time for such indulgences now; winter's grasp grew ever tighter with each passing day, and soon enough, they would all be at its mercy. Summoning what remained of her strength, she forced herself to walk forward, her expression cold and unyielding as ever. "What happened?" she demanded, her voice quivering despite her best efforts to keep it steady. "Why did you abandon me?"

She expected anger or defiance from him, not this... uncertainty. It unsettled her in ways she couldn't quite explain, and for the first time since Leo's death, she felt a shiver of doubt run down her spine. What was happening to them? And what did it mean for their future... if they even had one?

Her eyes widened at his words, her heart racing even faster as she struggled to make sense of what he'd just said. Were there truly things about the world that even she didn't know? She found it hard to believe; she had spent countless lifetimes studying and researching all manner of arcane lore, believing herself to be unrivaled in her knowledge of the supernatural... and yet here was this creature before her, seemingly speaking of things she'd never even heard of.

His next words struck her like a physical blow, making her breath catch in her throat. She stumbled backwards involuntarily, feeling dizzy and disoriented as the full weight of his words sank in. "No... you cannot mean that," she managed to croak out, horror etched into every line of her face.

He smiled at her response, and for a moment it was almost sad, tinged with something else she couldn't quite identify. Her gaze dropped to the pendant around his neck, its glow seeming dimmer than ever before. Perhaps... perhaps there was some truth to what he was saying. She had never let anyone get close to her, not since Leo's death... and yet here she was now, feeling things for this monster that she couldn't quite explain.

She opened her mouth to speak again, but no words came out. The wind howled outside, pressing in on them from every direction, driving home the point that time was running short. They needed to make a decision soon... and the fate of both their worlds hung in the balance.

Her breath caught in her throat as his fingers brushed against her cheek, sending shivers down her spine. She felt herself leaning into the touch despite her best efforts to resist it, like a leaf being drawn irresistibly toward the flame. The warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips was oddly comforting, almost familiar... and it frightened her all the more.

She closed her eyes, trying to clear her head of the confusion and doubt that threatened to overwhelm her senses. There had been a time when she would have refused outright to even consider what he was saying; but somehow, everything had changed between them since that fateful night in the bath... and now she wasn't sure if she could ever go back to how things were before.

"I don't know..." she whispered hoarsely, her voice barely audible above the keening of the wind. "I need time to think." She took a step back from him, breaking contact with his touch. "Go... sleep in your room tonight," she managed to croak out. "And tomorrow we will discuss this further."

As he turned to leave, she watched him go, her heart twisting painfully within her chest. Part of her wished he would simply disappear, vanish into the night like a dream upon waking... but another part of her feared that if he did, she might never find the strength to let him go.

The pendant around her neck seemed to grow heavier with each passing moment, its glow dimming further as her resolve wavered and uncertainty crept in to take its place. The fate of both their worlds hung in the balance... and yet somehow, she wasn't sure anymore if that was all there was to it.