The Dark Side Of Fate

A rush of excitement coursed through me, and a smile tugged at Liam’s lips as he stood by the doorway.

Since there was nothing to grab in my room, I slipped on my slippers and made my way outside.

“Did your father get in touch?” Liam inquired as we descended the staircase, and I nodded.

“ Heard the Alpha of Cain is joining us,” I said.

“My father thinks his case is linked with ours,” Liam said, and I was surprised.

“Mine too,” I said.

Moving downstairs, we encountered Oliver and Justin in the foyer.

It was evident that they were engrossed in a conversation.

As our gazes met, Justin’s lips curved into a knowing smile, his eyes carrying a hint of understanding.

Had Liam confided in him about our relationship? The notion made me feel bashful, yet I reined in my emotions.

“Make sure you stay on the premises, you two,” Justin cautioned, and Liam affirmed his understanding with a nod.

With that, we stepped out through the door, and under Liam’s guidance, our journey began.

“What’s up with Justin? One moment, he seemed uncomfortable with us being close, and now he’s all smiles,” I inquired of Liam, prompting a laugh from him.

“He was just concerned because of the whole Sophia situation.

He didn’t want you to be hurt,” Liam explained, causing me to pause and regard him.

“What did you say to reassure him?” I questioned, and he smiled.

“I told him the truth.

Sophia is my friend, and you hold a greater place in my heart.

He doesn’t need to worry,” he expressed, and a warm sensation filled me, knowing that Liam had the courage to confide in his cousin about us.

“Charlotte shared similar concerns,” I divulged as we continued our stroll.

“She feared I might be hurt when Sophia is located, but I assured her that we’re together now and she doesn’t need to be concerned,” I revealed, and a brief silence fell between us.

I wasn’t sure if my words had unsettled him, but they seemed to put a halt to our conversation.

“You must have had it bad for Sophia for everyone to be worried for my safety,” I teased him, and he laughed.

“Not really.

There was always a hindrance between us, A ‘but’, a let’s-wait-and-see vibe that I couldn’t shake off.

It was a bit foggy, and I had to think through it and plan,” he said as we entered the forest.

Liam halted his steps, drawing me near.

His fingers brushed my cheek with a tender touch as his gaze locked onto mine.

I had abandoned my contacts, a secret I was yet to reveal – the reason behind their initial use.

Strangely, I felt more assured in my own skin now than ever before.

The realisation had dawned upon me that the hurtful words thrown my way held no true significance.

Perhaps I should have confronted him back then, instead of enduring two years of emotional turmoil.

Liam’s touch continued a gentle caress on my cheek.

“With you, I never needed to overthink.

It was simply meant to be,” he admitted, and a flush crept up my cheeks while Onyx circled in head, howling.

Gazing into his eyes, I sensed the sincerity in his words.

Doubts dissolved as certainty took their place.

Liam wouldn’t shatter my heart; there was no need for apprehension.

“Follow me, the stream isn’t too far from here,” he suggested.

Taking his lead, we strolled hand in hand through the wooded area.

The gentle murmur of flowing water gradually reached my ears, accompanied by the aroma of a crackling fire and the tantalizing scent of food being prepared.

Could someone be cooking by the stream? “Looks like there are people around, Liam,” I remarked, gripping his hand a bit tighter, to which he responded with a chuckle.

Stepping out of the woods, we emerged into a clearing beside the stream.

What met my eyes left me pleasantly surprised.

This outing wasn’t a spontaneous decision or a last-minute idea.

Liam had meticulously orchestrated it, and the realisation set my heart aflutter.

A picnic mat lay adorned with a cosy blanket and cushions.

Nearby, the woman from the food truck was busy cooking, adding an unexpected and delightful touch to the scene.

“Since we can’t venture out alone, I convinced Mrs Mirabel to join us,” he explained, and a surge of excitement led me to embrace him tightly.

touched

to return to the park ever since that

stream wasn’t quite the same as the lake, it was more than

encircled me with his arms, planting a gentle kiss on the nape of my

immediately evoking a response that I shouldn’t be

of someone else nearby added a layer of shyness to my

“Li,” I murmured softly.

responded in a hushed tone, still

across my skin, and my thoughts began to stray into more forbidden territories as my

I managed to utter, and

him to retreat, yet he seemed to

onto the mat, soaking in the picturesque view and relishing the serene ambience of

Mrs.

diligently served us an array of appetizers and food, and once she had completed her task,

was aware that her assistance didn’t come without a price – she couldn’t

expended considerable effort to arrange for her to come and prepare this delightful

departure, I nestled in close to Liam, my gaze fixed

is a precious gift,” Liam voiced, his gaze fixed on

to grant us this

we can to protect the peace our parents fought so valiantly to secure,” he said, and I

us felt like a treasured

calm around us

were at war or in trouble,

our movement were a poignant reminder

you’ll make an exceptional king when

all be there to offer our unwavering support,” I assured him, prompting him to turn his gaze towards

want you

earnestly, his

momentarily at a loss for a

me close to him, his gaze penetrating

not toying with your feelings; this isn’t some

It’s real.

won’t rush you, but understand that

My feelings won’t waver.

the real deal for

of course, you can take all the time you need to decide what

patient with you,” he said, coaxing a

brow furrowed, looking

managing without your contacts?” he inquired, and a twinge of embarrassment led

in concealing the truth about them any longer; it

throat and

attentiveness only added to my nervousness; I desperately hoped this revelation wouldn’t sour our

nothing wrong with my

wore the contacts as a cover-up because of what I overheard you all discussing back in Lucland,” I confessed,

was no longer any justification for keeping

day, I was actually planning to ask you out,” I admitted,

the one

how relentlessly optimistic she can

off on me that day,” I

flutter; it seemed only fitting to carry on and divulge

scared, partly because of Sophia’s

perfect, so normal, and I…” I stumbled over my

pain from that day was stubborn, refusing to

felt like I

I should give it a shot,” I confessed,

a crush on you for a while, but I suppose I lacked the courage

never seemed to

always you

you two became friends,

continued, and he made a move to draw me nearer, yet I stopped

was imperative to express everything I had been

everything, I clung to hope and desperately wanted to share my feelings with you that

but I understood my emotions,

It was crystal clear.

had never experienced anything

overheard you four talking and

it made me feel stupid and insecure,” I revealed, my voice trembling as tears

that moment, I don’t think I’ve ever despised being a Stepanov more than I

my pale skin, my eyes, my intelligence – they all

IQ, and I actually loved my hair colour, I thought maybe having brown eyes would make me seem more ‘normal’,” I confessed,

Liam reached out to draw me close, I allowed him to

sorry,” he apologised with genuine remorse, and while I sensed his sincerity, he needed to

on me and locked his gaze

eyes, Jo, they’re

your

is a blessing, not

us said was thoughtless

up but surpassed us;

it deeply, Jo, and I wish I could undo my words

and

you can find it in your heart to forgive me

every facet of

the way

hugged me this time; he kissed my neck again, and a moan escaped my lips before

transitioned from my

was tender and affectionate,

resolute in keeping his