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 me

had yearned to return to the park ever since

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

with his arms, planting a

immediately evoking a response that I shouldn’t

presence of someone else nearby added a layer of shyness to my

“Li,” I murmured softly.

Jo,” he responded in a hushed

my thoughts began to stray into more forbidden territories as my

front of her,” I managed to utter, and he chuckled, easing

I felt was tangible; I didn’t want him to retreat, yet

the picturesque view and

Mrs.

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

a price – she couldn’t

considerable effort to arrange for her to

close to Liam, my gaze fixed on

gift,” Liam voiced,

enough expanse to

do everything we can to protect the peace our parents fought so valiantly to secure,” he said, and I nodded in agreement, entwining my fingers with

enveloping us felt like

us

or in trouble, we wouldn’t be

poignant reminder that something of

make an exceptional king when your time comes,

offer our unwavering support,” I assured him, prompting him to

want you there,

spoke earnestly,

at a loss for

close to him, his

not toying with your feelings;

It’s real.

won’t rush you, but understand that my

My feelings won’t waver.

real deal for

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

you,” he said, coaxing

furrowed, looking at

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

about them any longer;

you see,” I began, clearing my throat and absently tucking a

added to my nervousness; I

nothing wrong with

cover-up because of what I overheard you all discussing back in

façade had to crumble; there was no

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

was the one pushing

know how relentlessly

that day,” I added with a chuckle, reminiscing

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

was scared, partly because of

seemed perfect, so normal, and I…” I stumbled over my words, the memory stoking

from that day was

I couldn’t

my sister insisted that I should give it a shot,” I confessed, my eyes

you for a while, but I suppose I lacked

never seemed to

was always you and

moment you two became friends, you started sidelining

and that hurt,” I continued, and he

everything I had been

wanted to share my

but I understood my emotions,

It was crystal clear.

experienced anything

you four talking

there laughing too, and it made me feel stupid and insecure,” I revealed, my voice trembling as

I’ve ever despised being

my pale skin, my eyes, my intelligence – they all seemed to work against

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

when Liam reached out to draw me close,

Jo, truly sorry,” he apologised with genuine remorse, and while I sensed his sincerity, he needed to understand the full

released his hold on me and locked his

eyes, Jo,

your finest

a blessing, not a

thoughtless and

a year and some months, yet you not only caught up but surpassed us;

regret it deeply, Jo, and I wish I could undo

back time and erase

in your heart to forgive me and not let

adore every facet

perfect just the way you

this time; he kissed my

I whispered, and he transitioned from my

was tender and affectionate, devoid

resolute in keeping his