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

had yearned to return to the park ever since

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

arms, planting a gentle kiss on the nape of my

me, immediately evoking a response that I shouldn’t

someone else nearby added

“Li,” I murmured softly.

he responded in a hushed tone, still holding me

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

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

was tangible; I didn’t want him to

the picturesque view and relishing the serene

Mrs.

of appetizers and food, and once she

that her assistance didn’t come without a

for her to come and

my gaze fixed on the horizon to

voiced, his gaze fixed on

a broad enough expanse to grant us this view,

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

tranquillity enveloping us felt like

around us was a

in trouble, we wouldn’t

reminder that

make an exceptional king when

offer our unwavering support,” I assured

want you there,

by my side,” he spoke earnestly, his

found myself momentarily at a loss for

me close to

feelings;

It’s real.

understand that my commitment to you

My feelings won’t waver.

real deal

all the time

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

brow furrowed, looking

and a twinge of embarrassment led

in concealing the truth about them any longer;

see,” I began, clearing my throat and absently tucking a strand of hair behind my

my nervousness; I

nothing wrong with my

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

there was no longer any justification for

to ask you out,” I

was the one

how relentlessly optimistic

day,” I added with a

seemed only fitting to carry on and divulge everything I had

scared, partly because of

and I…” I stumbled over my words, the memory stoking an odd

from that day was stubborn, refusing

like I couldn’t measure up,

it

a crush on you for a while, but I suppose I

seemed

always

moment you two became friends, you started sidelining me,

invisible, and that hurt,” I continued, and he made

imperative to express everything I had been holding

and desperately wanted to share my feelings with you that

was just fifteen, but I understood my emotions,

It was crystal clear.

never experienced

overheard you four talking

me feel stupid and insecure,” I revealed, my voice trembling

despised being a Stepanov more than I did

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

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

when Liam reached out to draw me close, I

he apologised with genuine remorse, and while

released his hold on me and locked his gaze

Jo, they’re

your

is a blessing, not a

said was thoughtless and hurtful, driven by

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

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

and

hope you can find it in your heart to

adore every facet

just the way you

me this time; he kissed my neck again, and a moan escaped

transitioned

kiss was tender and affectionate, devoid of any haste

keeping his