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

to return to the park

same as the lake, it was more

planting a gentle kiss on the nape of my

his kiss shot through me, immediately evoking a

presence of someone else nearby added a layer of

“Li,” I murmured softly.

he responded in a

of electricity across my skin, and my thoughts began to stray into more forbidden territories as my desires started to

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

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

onto the mat, soaking in the picturesque view and relishing the

Mrs.

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

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

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

to Liam, my gaze fixed on the horizon to marvel at the

precious gift,” Liam voiced, his gaze fixed on the distant

a broad enough expanse to

our parents fought so valiantly to secure,” he said, and I nodded

enveloping us felt like a treasured

calm around us was

we were at war or in trouble, we wouldn’t be able to do

restrictions on our movement were a poignant reminder that something of great significance

you’ll make an exceptional king when your time

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

you

side,” he spoke earnestly, his sincerity

found myself momentarily at

close to him, his gaze penetrating

with your feelings; this

It’s real.

won’t rush you, but understand that my commitment

My feelings won’t waver.

the real

can take all the time you need to

be patient with you,” he said, coaxing

brow furrowed, looking

inquired, and a

truth about

clearing my throat and absently tucking a strand of hair

attentiveness only added to my nervousness; I desperately

actually nothing wrong with my eyes,

a cover-up because of what I overheard you all

there was no longer any justification for

you

was the one

relentlessly optimistic

off on me that day,”

flutter; it seemed only fitting

partly

so normal, and I…” I stumbled over my words, the memory stoking an odd ache

pain from that day

I couldn’t

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

while, but I suppose I lacked the courage to

seemed

always you

friends, you

and that hurt,” I continued, and he

to express everything

desperately wanted to share my feelings with you

just fifteen, but I understood my emotions,

It was crystal clear.

had never experienced anything like it

overheard you four talking and

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

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

intelligence – they all seemed to work against

loved my hair colour, I thought maybe having brown

draw me close, I allowed him

and while I sensed his sincerity, he needed to understand the full

hold on me and locked

eyes, Jo, they’re

your finest

a blessing,

the four of us said was thoughtless and hurtful, driven

older by a year and some months, yet you not only caught up but surpassed us; you continue to do

jealous of a perfect person? I regret it deeply, Jo, and

time and erase

in your heart to forgive

adore every facet

the

articulated sincerely and hugged me this time; he kissed my neck again, and a

transitioned from my

affectionate, devoid of

keeping his promise of