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

return to the park ever since that

quite the same

with his arms, planting a

his kiss shot through me, immediately evoking a response that

someone else nearby added

“Li,” I murmured softly.

responded in a hushed tone,

sparks of electricity across my skin, and my thoughts began to stray into more forbidden territories as my desires started to take on a wild

I managed to utter,

was tangible; I didn’t want him to retreat, yet he seemed

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 task, she

assistance didn’t come without a price – she couldn’t have

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

to Liam, my gaze fixed on the horizon to marvel at the

gift,” Liam voiced,

to grant us

do everything we can to protect the peace our parents fought so valiantly to secure,” he said, and I nodded in

us felt like a treasured

around us was

or in trouble,

restrictions on our movement were a poignant reminder

exceptional king when

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

want you there,

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

at a

drew me close to him, his

with your feelings; this isn’t some

It’s real.

won’t rush you, but understand that my commitment to

My feelings won’t waver.

real deal

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

be patient with you,” he said,

furrowed, looking

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

concealing the truth about them any longer; it

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

only added to my nervousness; I desperately hoped

actually nothing wrong

because of what I overheard you all discussing back

crumble; there was no longer

planning to ask you out,” I

was the one pushing

know how relentlessly optimistic she

on me that day,” I added with a chuckle, reminiscing about

his evident shock and attentive demeanour made my nerves flutter; it seemed only fitting to carry on and divulge everything I had started to

scared, partly because of

I…” I stumbled over my words, the

day was

felt like I couldn’t measure

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

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

never seemed to

always you and

friends, you

continued, and he made

everything I had been

wanted to share my

fifteen, but

It was crystal clear.

had never experienced anything like it

four talking and laughing about

was there laughing too, and it made me feel stupid and insecure,” I revealed, my voice trembling as tears streamed down my

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

my eyes, my intelligence –

colour, I thought maybe having brown eyes would make me seem more ‘normal’,” I confessed, my vulnerability

to draw me close, I allowed him to

sorry, Jo, truly sorry,” he apologised with genuine remorse, and while I sensed his sincerity,

me and locked

Jo,

among your

a blessing,

said was thoughtless and

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

of a perfect person? I regret it deeply,

and

you can find it in your heart to forgive me and not

adore every facet of

the way

this time; he kissed my neck

and he transitioned from

and affectionate, devoid of any haste or

in keeping his promise of