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

yearned to return to the park ever since

the stream wasn’t quite the same

me with his arms, planting a

through me, immediately evoking a response that

nearby added a layer of

“Li,” I murmured softly.

Jo,” he responded in a hushed tone,

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

front of her,” I managed to utter, and he chuckled, easing away

didn’t want him to retreat, yet he

onto the mat, soaking in the picturesque view and

Mrs.

array of appetizers and food, and once she had completed her task, she

a price – she couldn’t

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

gaze fixed on the horizon to

is a precious gift,” Liam voiced, his

provided a broad enough expanse to grant us

parents fought so valiantly to secure,” he said, and I nodded in agreement, entwining

us felt like a

around us was

in trouble, we wouldn’t be

reminder that something of great significance was

you’ll make an exceptional king when

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

want you there,

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

momentarily at a loss

to

toying with your feelings; this

It’s real.

that my

My feelings won’t waver.

is the real

of course, you can take all the time you need to decide

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

furrowed, looking at

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

about them any longer; it was time to come

throat and absently tucking a strand of

to my nervousness; I desperately hoped

actually nothing wrong with

what I overheard you all discussing back in Lucland,” I confessed,

façade had to crumble; there was no longer any justification

day, I was actually planning to ask you

the one

know how relentlessly

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

seemed only fitting to carry on and divulge everything I had started to

partly because

normal, and I…” I stumbled over my words,

that day was stubborn, refusing

I couldn’t measure up,

should give it a shot,” I

a while, but

never seemed

always

friends,

I continued, and he made a

everything I had been holding

desperately wanted to share my

but I understood my emotions,

It was crystal clear.

had never experienced anything

you four

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

despised being a

hair, my pale skin, my eyes, my intelligence – they all seemed

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 confessed,

to draw me

with genuine remorse, and while I sensed

hold on me and locked his gaze

Jo, they’re

your

unique is a blessing, not a

four of us said was thoughtless and hurtful,

some months, yet you not only caught up but surpassed us; you

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

and

you can find it in your heart to forgive me and

adore every facet of

perfect just the way

to change,” he articulated sincerely and hugged me this time; he kissed my neck again, and a moan escaped my lips before I

and he transitioned from my neck

tender and affectionate, devoid of any haste or

resolute in keeping his promise of