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

return to the park ever since that

quite the same as the lake, it was more

a gentle kiss on the nape of my

his kiss shot through me, immediately evoking

presence of someone else nearby added

“Li,” I murmured softly.

responded in a

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

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

tangible; I didn’t want him to retreat,

the picturesque view and relishing the serene ambience of

Mrs.

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

her assistance didn’t come without a price

her

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

precious gift,” Liam voiced, his gaze fixed

broad enough expanse to grant us

to do everything we can to protect the peace our parents fought so valiantly to secure,” he said, and

us felt

us

in trouble, we wouldn’t be

restrictions on our movement were a poignant reminder

confident you’ll make an exceptional king when your time comes,

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

want you there,

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

momentarily at a loss

to

toying with your feelings; this isn’t some experiment

It’s real.

but understand that my commitment to

My feelings won’t waver.

the real deal

of course, you can take all the

you,” he said, coaxing a giggle

furrowed,

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

about them any longer; it was time

clearing my throat and absently tucking a strand of

my nervousness; I desperately hoped this

nothing wrong with my eyes,

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

there was no

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

was the one pushing

relentlessly

that day,” I added with a chuckle, reminiscing about

made my nerves flutter; it seemed only fitting

was scared, partly

seemed perfect, so normal, and I…” I stumbled over my

from that day

like I couldn’t measure up,

sister insisted that I should give it

crush on you for a while, but I

never seemed

always you

two became friends,

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

to express everything I had been holding

and desperately wanted to

fifteen, but I understood my

It was crystal clear.

had never experienced anything like

I overheard you four talking and laughing about

too, and it made me feel stupid and

despised being a Stepanov more

my intelligence – they all seemed to

loved my hair colour, I thought maybe having brown eyes would make me seem more ‘normal’,” I

time, when Liam reached out to draw me close, I

genuine remorse, and while I sensed his sincerity, he

released his hold on me and locked his gaze onto

Jo,

among your

is a blessing, not

thoughtless and

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

wouldn’t be jealous of a perfect person? I regret it deeply, Jo, and I wish I

and

can find it in your heart to

adore every facet

the way you

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

transitioned from

affectionate, devoid of any haste

in keeping his