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

yearned to return to

the stream wasn’t quite the same as

me with his arms, planting a gentle

shot through me, immediately evoking a response that I

else nearby added a layer of shyness to my

“Li,” I murmured softly.

in a hushed tone, still holding

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

to utter, and he chuckled, easing away from me with

felt was tangible; I didn’t want him

soaking in the picturesque

Mrs.

served us an array of appetizers and food, and once she

without a price – she couldn’t have left her

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

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

precious gift,” Liam voiced, his gaze fixed

enough expanse to grant us

peace our parents fought so valiantly to secure,” he said,

us felt like

around us

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

restrictions on our movement were a poignant reminder that something

confident you’ll make an exceptional king when your time

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

you there,

earnestly, his sincerity evident in

myself momentarily at a

to

toying with your feelings; this

It’s real.

but understand that my commitment

My feelings won’t waver.

is the real deal for

can take all the time you need to decide what you

you,” he said, coaxing

brow furrowed, looking

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

concealing the truth about them any longer; it was time to

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

added to my nervousness; I desperately hoped this

nothing wrong with my eyes,

the contacts as a cover-up because of what I overheard you all discussing

had to crumble; there was no

you out,” I

the one

know how relentlessly optimistic she can

on me that day,” I added with

my nerves flutter; it seemed only

partly because of Sophia’s

and I…” I stumbled over my words,

that day was stubborn, refusing to

felt like I couldn’t measure up,

sister insisted that I should give it a shot,”

while, but I suppose I lacked the courage to let it

never seemed to

always

became friends, you started sidelining me, even

that hurt,” I continued, and he made

express everything I had been

and desperately wanted to

just fifteen, but

It was crystal clear.

experienced anything like it

four

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

don’t think I’ve ever despised being a

skin, my eyes, my intelligence – they all

my IQ, and I actually loved my hair colour, I

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

apologised with genuine remorse, and while I

hold on me and locked his

Jo,

among your finest

a blessing, not

us said was thoughtless and hurtful, driven by

caught up but surpassed us; you continue to do so,” he

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

back time and erase

to forgive me and not let this

adore every facet of

the

me this time;

and he transitioned from my neck to

and affectionate, devoid of

resolute in keeping