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

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

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

from his kiss shot through me, immediately evoking

of someone else nearby added

“Li,” I murmured softly.

responded in a hushed

began to stray into more forbidden territories as my

I managed to utter, and he chuckled, easing away

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

in the picturesque view and relishing the

Mrs.

an array of appetizers and food, and once she had

without a price – she

arrange for her to

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

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

us provided a broad enough expanse to grant us this

the peace our parents fought so valiantly to

felt like a treasured

around us

war or in trouble, we

a poignant reminder that something of great significance was

you’ll make an exceptional king when your time

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

want you

my side,” he spoke earnestly, his sincerity evident in

at

me close to him,

feelings; this isn’t

It’s real.

understand that my commitment

My feelings won’t waver.

is the real deal for

can take all the time you need to

be patient with you,” he said, coaxing a giggle

furrowed,

without your contacts?” he inquired, and

truth about them any longer;

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

I desperately hoped this revelation

actually nothing wrong with my eyes,

a cover-up because of what I overheard you all discussing back in Lucland,” I

crumble; there was no longer any justification

planning to ask you

was the one pushing

how relentlessly optimistic she can

me that day,” I added

evident shock and attentive demeanour made my nerves flutter; it seemed only fitting to

partly because of

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

pain from that day was

I couldn’t measure up,

should give it a

a crush on you for a while, but

seemed to

always you

the moment you two became friends,

I continued, and he made a move

imperative to express everything I had been holding

clung to hope and desperately wanted to share my feelings with

but I understood my

It was crystal clear.

experienced

overheard you four

too, and it made me feel stupid and insecure,” I

despised being a Stepanov

my eyes, my intelligence

I couldn’t change my skin or my IQ, and I actually loved my hair colour, I thought maybe having brown eyes would make me seem more ‘normal’,” I

Liam reached out to draw me close, I

sorry, Jo, truly sorry,” he apologised with genuine remorse, and while I sensed his

his hold on me and locked

eyes, Jo,

your finest

unique is a blessing,

four of us said was thoughtless and hurtful, driven by our own

year and some months, yet you not only caught up but

deeply, Jo, and

back time and erase

you can find it in your heart to forgive me and not let

adore every facet

just the way

he articulated sincerely and hugged me this time;

he transitioned from my neck to my

and affectionate, devoid of

was resolute in keeping his promise of