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

return to the park ever

the same as the lake, it was

a gentle

kiss shot through me, immediately evoking a response that I

someone else nearby added a layer

“Li,” I murmured softly.

Jo,” he responded in a hushed tone, still holding

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

I managed to utter, and he chuckled,

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

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

Mrs.

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

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

have expended considerable effort to arrange for her

in close to Liam, my gaze fixed

a precious gift,” Liam voiced,

provided a broad enough expanse to grant us this

so valiantly to secure,” he said, and I nodded in agreement, entwining my

tranquillity enveloping us felt like

us was

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

reminder that something

make an exceptional king when your time comes,

unwavering support,” I assured him, prompting him to turn his

want you there,

he spoke earnestly, his

momentarily at a loss for

drew me close to him, his gaze

your feelings; this isn’t some

It’s real.

understand that my

My feelings won’t waver.

real

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

he said, coaxing a

furrowed, looking at

without your contacts?” he inquired, and a

truth about them any longer; it

see,” I began, clearing my throat and absently

only added to my nervousness; I

wrong with my eyes,

of what I overheard you all discussing back

crumble; there was no longer any

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

the one pushing

how relentlessly optimistic she

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

seemed only fitting to carry

partly because of

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

from that day was stubborn,

like I

my sister insisted that I should give it a

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

seemed

was always

moment you two became friends, you started sidelining

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

imperative to express everything I had been holding

wanted

fifteen, but I understood

It was crystal clear.

experienced anything

four talking and laughing about

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

ever despised being a

skin, my eyes, my intelligence –

my IQ, and I actually loved my hair colour, I thought

draw me close, I

remorse, and while I sensed his sincerity, he

his hold on me and locked

eyes, Jo, they’re

your

a

of us said was thoughtless and hurtful, driven by our

you not only caught up but surpassed us; you continue to do so,” he earnestly expressed,

wouldn’t be jealous of a perfect person? I regret it deeply,

back time and

your heart to forgive me and not let this linger

every facet of

just the way

to change,” he articulated sincerely and hugged me this time; he kissed my neck again, and a moan escaped my lips before I could stop

I whispered, and he transitioned from my neck

affectionate, devoid

resolute in keeping