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 return to the park

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

encircled me with his arms, planting a

his kiss shot through me, immediately

added a layer of

“Li,” I murmured softly.

in a hushed tone, still holding

my thoughts began to stray into more forbidden territories as

I managed to utter, and

didn’t want him to retreat, yet he seemed to respect my

soaking in the picturesque view and relishing the serene ambience of the

Mrs.

array of appetizers and food,

was aware that her assistance didn’t come without a price – she couldn’t have left her food truck

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

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

Liam voiced, his gaze fixed on the

to grant us this

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

felt like a treasured

around us was

were at war or in trouble, we wouldn’t

on our movement were a poignant reminder that something of great

an exceptional king when your

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

you

by my side,” he spoke earnestly, his sincerity

at a loss for

to him, his gaze

with your feelings; this isn’t some

It’s real.

that

My feelings won’t waver.

the real deal for

can take all the time

you,” he said, coaxing a giggle from

furrowed, looking at

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

the truth about them any longer; it was

clearing my throat and absently tucking a strand of hair behind my

I

wrong

wore the contacts as a cover-up because of what I overheard you all discussing back in Lucland,” I confessed, finally meeting his

no

was actually planning to ask you out,” I admitted, and his expression registered genuine

the

how relentlessly optimistic she can

day,” I added with a

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

was scared, partly because

stumbled over my words, the memory stoking an odd ache within

that day was stubborn, refusing

like I couldn’t

sister insisted that I should give it a shot,” I confessed, my eyes

a crush on you for a while, but I suppose

never seemed

was always

you two became friends, you started sidelining me,

and that hurt,” I continued, and he made

express everything I

clung to hope and desperately wanted to share my feelings with

but

It was crystal clear.

had never experienced

four talking and

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

think I’ve ever despised

intelligence – they all

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

Liam reached out to draw me close, I allowed

apologised with genuine remorse, and while I sensed

his hold on me and locked

eyes, Jo,

among your

is a blessing, not a

was thoughtless and hurtful, driven by

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

deeply, Jo,

back time and

it in your heart to forgive me and

adore every

perfect just the way

me this time; he

he transitioned from my

was tender and affectionate, devoid of any

keeping his promise