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

to the

quite the same as

arms, planting a gentle kiss on

through me, immediately evoking a response that I

of someone else nearby added a

“Li,” I murmured softly.

he responded in a

sparks of electricity across my skin, and my thoughts began to stray into more

to utter, and he chuckled, easing away

was tangible; I didn’t want him to

mat, soaking in the picturesque view and relishing

Mrs.

array of appetizers and food, and once she had completed

assistance didn’t come without a

for her to

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

voiced, his gaze fixed on

to grant us this view, and it was truly

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

felt like a treasured

around us

at war or in trouble, we wouldn’t be

poignant reminder that something of

an exceptional

be there to offer our unwavering support,” I assured

want you there,

he spoke earnestly, his sincerity evident in his

at a

me close to him, his gaze penetrating

feelings; this isn’t

It’s real.

that my commitment to

My feelings won’t waver.

real deal

take all the

he said, coaxing a giggle from

furrowed, looking

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

sense in concealing the truth about

throat and absently

nervousness; I desperately hoped this revelation

wrong with

because of what I overheard you all discussing back in Lucland,” I

there was no

you out,” I admitted, and his expression registered genuine

the one

how relentlessly optimistic she

that day,” I

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

partly because

stumbled over my words, the memory stoking an

day was stubborn,

felt like I couldn’t measure up,

that I should give it a shot,” I

while, but I suppose I

seemed to

was always

the moment you two became friends, you started sidelining me,

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

to express everything I had

and desperately wanted

was just fifteen, but I understood my

It was crystal clear.

experienced

I overheard you four talking and

and insecure,” I revealed, my voice trembling as tears streamed down

I’ve ever despised being a Stepanov

skin, my eyes, my intelligence – they all

I thought maybe having brown eyes would make me seem

reached out to draw me close, I allowed him

and while I sensed his

on me and

eyes, Jo,

your finest

unique is a blessing,

said was thoughtless and hurtful, driven by

yet you not only caught up but surpassed us; you continue

of a perfect person? I regret it deeply, Jo, and I wish I could undo my words and

back time and

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

adore every

just the way

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

whispered, and he transitioned from my neck to

tender and affectionate, devoid of

was resolute in keeping his promise of