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

to the park ever

same as the lake, it was

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

immediately evoking a response that I shouldn’t be

nearby added a

“Li,” I murmured softly.

responded in a hushed tone,

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

of her,” I managed to utter,

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

the picturesque view and relishing the

Mrs.

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

didn’t come without a price – she

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

in close to Liam, my gaze fixed on the horizon to marvel at the unfolding

gift,” Liam voiced, his gaze fixed

enough expanse to grant us this view,

can to protect the peace our parents fought so valiantly to secure,” he said, and I nodded in

felt

calm around us

were at war or in trouble, we wouldn’t be able

a poignant reminder that something of great significance

an exceptional king when

offer our unwavering support,” I assured him, prompting him to

you there,

spoke earnestly, his sincerity evident in

found myself momentarily at a loss

to him,

your feelings; this isn’t some experiment for

It’s real.

won’t rush you, but understand that my

My feelings won’t waver.

the real deal

can take all the time you

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

furrowed, looking

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

the truth about them

my throat and absently tucking

to my nervousness; I desperately hoped

wrong

as a cover-up because of what I overheard you all discussing back in

no longer any justification for keeping this

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

was the one pushing

know how relentlessly optimistic she

have rubbed off on me that day,” I added with a chuckle, reminiscing about the

seemed only

was scared, partly because

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

that day was

I couldn’t measure up,

I should give it a shot,” I confessed, my eyes

had a crush on you for a while, but I suppose I lacked the courage to let it

never seemed to

was always you and

two became friends, you started sidelining me, even at

continued, and he made a move to draw me nearer,

express everything I had been holding

everything, I clung to hope and desperately wanted to share my feelings

just fifteen, but

It was crystal clear.

had never experienced anything like

overheard you four talking and laughing

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

moment, I don’t think I’ve ever despised being a Stepanov more than

skin, my eyes, my intelligence – they all

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

Liam reached out to draw me close, I allowed him to

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

me and locked

eyes, Jo, they’re

your finest

unique is a blessing, not

thoughtless and hurtful,

but surpassed us; you continue

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

back time and erase those

it in your heart to forgive me and

every facet of

just the way you

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

transitioned

kiss was tender and affectionate, devoid of any haste

resolute in keeping his