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.

consideration touched

to

quite the same as

his arms, planting a gentle kiss on the nape

his kiss shot through me, immediately evoking a response that I

nearby added a layer of shyness

“Li,” I murmured softly.

he responded in a hushed tone, still

began to stray into more forbidden territories as my

to utter, and

I didn’t want him

mat, soaking in the picturesque view and relishing

Mrs.

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

come without a price

to arrange for her to come and prepare this delightful meal

my gaze fixed on the horizon to marvel at

is a precious gift,” Liam voiced, his

before us provided a broad enough expanse to grant us this

peace our parents fought so

us felt like a

us was a

or in trouble, we wouldn’t

a poignant reminder that something

exceptional king when your time

our unwavering support,” I

you

side,” he spoke earnestly, his sincerity evident in

at

close to him, his gaze penetrating

feelings; this isn’t some

It’s real.

rush you, but understand that my

My feelings won’t waver.

the real deal

the time you need to

you,” he said, coaxing a giggle

furrowed,

without your contacts?” he inquired, and a twinge

the truth about them any longer;

clearing my throat and absently tucking a strand of

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

actually nothing wrong with

I overheard you all discussing

there was no longer any justification for keeping this

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

was the

relentlessly

off on me that day,” I added with

made my nerves flutter; it seemed only fitting to carry on and divulge everything I had started

scared, partly because of Sophia’s

so normal, and I…” I stumbled over my

day was

like I couldn’t measure

I should give it

while, but I suppose I lacked

never seemed to

was always

the moment you two became friends, you started sidelining

that hurt,” I continued, and he made a move to draw me nearer, yet

everything I had

everything, I clung to hope and desperately wanted to

fifteen, but I

It was crystal clear.

had never experienced anything like

four

feel stupid and

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

my eyes, my intelligence – they all seemed

couldn’t change my skin or my IQ, and I actually loved my hair colour, I thought maybe

Liam reached out to draw me close, I allowed him

while I sensed his

his hold on me and locked

Jo,

among your finest

unique is a blessing,

was thoughtless and hurtful,

year and some months, yet you not only caught up but surpassed us; you continue to do so,” he earnestly expressed,

a perfect person? I regret it deeply, Jo, and I wish

time and erase

you can find it in your heart to forgive

every

the

want a single thing to change,” he articulated sincerely and hugged me this time; he

transitioned from

affectionate,

was resolute in keeping his promise