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

stream wasn’t quite the same as the

encircled me with his arms, planting a

from his kiss shot through me, immediately evoking a

of someone else nearby added a layer of shyness to

“Li,” I murmured softly.

responded in a hushed

breath set off sparks of electricity across my skin, and my thoughts began to stray into more forbidden territories as my desires started

to utter, and he chuckled, easing away from me with

didn’t want him to retreat, yet he

settled onto the mat, soaking in the picturesque view and relishing the serene ambience of the

Mrs.

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

her assistance didn’t come without a price –

arrange for her to come and

my gaze fixed on

a precious gift,” Liam voiced, his gaze fixed on the

broad enough expanse to

peace our parents fought so valiantly to secure,” he said, and I nodded

felt like a treasured

around us was

or in trouble, we

reminder that something of great

you’ll make an exceptional king when your

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

want you there,

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

at a loss

to him, his gaze

your feelings; this isn’t some experiment

It’s real.

rush you, but understand that my commitment to you

My feelings won’t waver.

real deal

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

with you,” he said,

furrowed, looking at

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

little sense in concealing the truth about them any longer; it was

throat and absently tucking a strand of

to my nervousness; I desperately hoped this

nothing wrong with

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

no longer any justification

to ask you out,” I

the

relentlessly optimistic she

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

it seemed only fitting to carry on and

scared, partly

perfect, so normal, and I…” I stumbled over my words, the memory stoking an odd ache within

that day

felt like I couldn’t measure

my sister insisted that I should give it a

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

never seemed

always

became friends,

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

to express everything I had been

desperately wanted to share my feelings with

but I understood

It was crystal clear.

had never experienced anything

then I overheard you four talking and

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

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

my eyes, my intelligence – they all seemed to

I thought maybe having brown eyes

reached out to draw me close, I

truly sorry,” he apologised with genuine remorse, and while I

me and locked his

Jo, they’re

among your

unique is a blessing,

us said was thoughtless and hurtful, driven by our own

some months, yet you not only caught up but surpassed us; you continue to do so,” he earnestly expressed, evoking a

I regret it deeply, Jo, and I wish

time and erase those

find it in your heart to forgive me and not let this linger between

adore every facet of

the

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

transitioned from my neck to

and affectionate, devoid

keeping his