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 since

wasn’t quite the same as the

a

from his kiss shot through me, immediately

else nearby added a layer

“Li,” I murmured softly.

he responded in a hushed tone, still holding

thoughts began to stray into more forbidden territories as my

to utter, and he chuckled, easing away from me

vulnerability I felt was tangible; I didn’t want him to retreat, yet he seemed to respect my

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

Mrs.

food, and once she had

come without a price –

for her to come and prepare

Liam, my gaze

voiced, his gaze fixed

provided a broad enough expanse to

we can to protect the peace our parents fought so valiantly to secure,” he said, and

felt like a treasured

calm around us was

war or in trouble, we wouldn’t be able

reminder that

you’ll make an exceptional king when your time

there to offer our unwavering support,” I assured him,

want you there,

my side,” he spoke earnestly,

found myself momentarily at a

to him, his

not toying with your feelings; this isn’t some

It’s real.

understand that my commitment to

My feelings won’t waver.

real deal

course, you can take all the time you need to

with you,” he said,

brow furrowed,

have you been managing without your contacts?” he inquired, and a twinge of embarrassment led

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

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

to my nervousness; I desperately hoped

actually nothing wrong with my eyes,

because of what I overheard you all discussing back in

crumble; there was no

actually planning to ask you out,” I admitted, and

was the

know how relentlessly optimistic

rubbed off on me that day,” I

evident shock and attentive demeanour made my nerves flutter; it seemed only fitting

scared, partly because of Sophia’s

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

from that day was

like I couldn’t

should give it a shot,” I confessed, my eyes

but I suppose

never seemed

was always you

the moment you two became friends,

and that hurt,” I continued, and he made a move to

to express everything I had

and desperately wanted to share

just fifteen, but I understood

It was crystal clear.

never experienced anything like

I overheard you four

it made me feel stupid and

think I’ve ever despised being a Stepanov

pale skin, my eyes, my intelligence –

my hair colour, I thought maybe having brown eyes would make me

reached out to draw me close,

and while I

on me

Jo,

among your finest

is a blessing, not

us said was thoughtless and hurtful, driven by

but surpassed us;

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

back time and

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

every facet

the way you

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

I whispered, and he transitioned from my

kiss was tender and affectionate, devoid of any

in keeping