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.

touched me

to return to the park

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

planting a gentle kiss on the

from his kiss shot through me, immediately evoking a

else nearby added a layer of shyness

“Li,” I murmured softly.

in a

set off sparks of electricity across my skin, and my thoughts began to stray into more forbidden territories as my

I managed to utter, and

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

onto the mat, soaking in the picturesque

Mrs.

appetizers and food, and once she had completed her

was aware that her assistance didn’t come without a

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

in close to Liam, my gaze

Liam voiced, his gaze fixed on the

enough expanse to grant

have to do everything we can to protect the peace our parents fought so valiantly to

tranquillity enveloping us felt like

us was a

at war or in trouble, we wouldn’t

on our movement were a poignant reminder that something of

confident you’ll make an exceptional king

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

you

earnestly, his sincerity evident in his

momentarily at a

close to him, his

your feelings; this

It’s real.

that my commitment to you is

My feelings won’t waver.

is the real deal for

of course, you can take all the time you

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

brow furrowed, looking

contacts?” he inquired, and a twinge of embarrassment led

sense in concealing the truth about

I began, clearing my throat and absently tucking

I desperately hoped this revelation wouldn’t

nothing wrong with my

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

no longer any justification

you out,” I admitted, and his expression registered

was the one

know how relentlessly optimistic she

have rubbed off on me that day,” I added with

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

partly because of

over my words, the memory stoking an odd

that day

like I couldn’t measure

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

but I suppose I lacked the courage to let

seemed

always

two became friends, you started sidelining me,

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

express everything I had been

hope and desperately wanted

fifteen, but

It was crystal clear.

never experienced anything like

four talking and laughing about

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

ever despised being a Stepanov more

my intelligence

my skin or my IQ, and I actually loved my hair colour, I thought maybe having brown eyes would make me

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

apologised with genuine remorse, and while I sensed his sincerity, he

released his hold on me and locked his gaze

eyes, Jo,

among your

unique is a blessing, not

us said was thoughtless

caught up but surpassed

deeply, Jo, and I

and

hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me

every facet of

perfect just the way

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

he transitioned from my neck

was tender and affectionate, devoid of any haste or

in keeping his promise