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

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

his arms, planting a gentle kiss on the nape

kiss shot through me, immediately evoking

else nearby added a layer of

“Li,” I murmured softly.

responded in a hushed

my thoughts began to

to utter, and he chuckled, easing away from me

vulnerability I felt was tangible; I didn’t want him

in the picturesque view and

Mrs.

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

come without a price – she

for her to come and

my gaze fixed

gift,” Liam voiced, his gaze fixed on the

provided a broad enough expanse to grant us this view, and

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

us felt like a

us was a

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

were a poignant reminder

exceptional king when

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

want you there,

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

at a loss for

drew me close to him,

toying with your feelings; this isn’t some experiment

It’s real.

rush you, but understand that my

My feelings won’t waver.

is the real deal for

of course, you can take all the time

with you,” he

brow furrowed, looking at

contacts?” he inquired, and a twinge

in concealing the truth about them any longer; it was

my throat and absently tucking a

added to my nervousness; I desperately hoped

actually nothing wrong

because of what I overheard you all discussing

no longer any justification for keeping this

to ask you out,” I admitted, and his

was the one

how relentlessly optimistic she

off on me that day,”

made my nerves flutter; it seemed

partly

I…” I stumbled over my words, the memory stoking

from that day was stubborn, refusing to

like I couldn’t

sister insisted that I should give it a

you for a while, but I suppose I lacked

seemed to

always you and

became friends, you

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

was imperative to express everything I

to hope and desperately wanted to share

was just fifteen, but I understood

It was crystal clear.

had never experienced anything like

I overheard you four talking and laughing

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

ever despised being a Stepanov more than

my intelligence – they all seemed to work against

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

to draw me close, I allowed him to

genuine remorse, and while I sensed his sincerity, he needed to understand the full

on me and locked his gaze

eyes, Jo,

your finest

is a blessing, not a

four of us said was thoughtless and hurtful, driven by our own

yet you not only caught up but surpassed

jealous of a perfect person? I regret it deeply, Jo, and

and erase those

hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me and

adore every facet

perfect just the way you

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

whispered, and he transitioned from my neck to my

kiss was tender and affectionate, devoid of any

resolute in keeping his