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

to return to the park ever since that

same

encircled me with his arms, planting a gentle kiss on the

through me, immediately

presence of someone else nearby added

“Li,” I murmured softly.

responded in a

across my skin, and my thoughts began to

front of her,” I managed to utter, and he

him to retreat, yet

onto the mat, soaking in the picturesque view and relishing

Mrs.

food, and once she had completed

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

arrange for her to

nestled in close to Liam, my gaze fixed on the horizon to marvel

Liam voiced, his gaze fixed

a broad enough expanse to

the peace our parents fought so valiantly

tranquillity enveloping us felt like a

us was

trouble, we wouldn’t be able to do

movement were a poignant reminder that something of great significance was at

exceptional king when your

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

you

by my side,” he spoke earnestly, his

found myself momentarily at

close to him, his

not toying with your feelings; this

It’s real.

rush you, but understand that my commitment to you is

My feelings won’t waver.

is the real deal for

you can take all the time you

be patient with you,” he said,

brow furrowed,

inquired, and a twinge

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

my throat and absently tucking a strand of hair behind my

to my nervousness; I desperately hoped this revelation

nothing wrong with

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

was no

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

the one pushing

know how relentlessly optimistic she can

that day,” I added with a chuckle, reminiscing about the

shock and attentive demeanour made my nerves flutter; it seemed only fitting to carry on and

scared, partly because of

I stumbled over my words, the

that day was

felt like I couldn’t measure up,

it a

crush on you for a while, but I suppose I

never seemed to

was always

moment you two became friends,

hurt,” I continued, and he

to express everything I had been holding

wanted to share my feelings

just fifteen, but I

It was crystal clear.

had never experienced anything like it

overheard you four talking and laughing about

was there laughing too, and it made me feel stupid and insecure,” I

I’ve ever despised being

eyes, my intelligence – they all seemed to work

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

reached out to draw me

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

hold on me and

Jo, they’re

among your

is a blessing,

the four of us said was thoughtless and hurtful, driven by

by a year and some months, yet you not only caught up but surpassed us; you continue to do

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

and erase those

in your heart to forgive me and

every

just the

articulated sincerely and hugged me this time; he kissed my

and he transitioned from my neck to

was tender and affectionate, devoid of any

keeping his