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.

consideration touched

had yearned to return to the

wasn’t quite the same as the lake, it

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

shot through me, immediately evoking a response that I shouldn’t be

someone else nearby added

“Li,” I murmured softly.

a hushed tone, still

and my thoughts began to stray into more forbidden territories as my

managed to utter, and he chuckled, easing away from me with

him to retreat, yet he

picturesque view and relishing the serene ambience

Mrs.

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

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

to arrange for her to come and prepare this delightful meal for

her departure, I nestled in close to Liam, my gaze fixed on the horizon to marvel at the unfolding

a precious gift,” Liam voiced, his gaze fixed on the distant

expanse to grant us this view, and

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

felt like a treasured

calm around us was a

trouble, we wouldn’t be able to do

poignant reminder

confident you’ll make an exceptional king when your time

assured, we’ll all be there to offer our unwavering support,” I assured him, prompting

you there,

earnestly, his sincerity evident in his

at

to him, his gaze

your feelings; this

It’s real.

but understand that my commitment to you

My feelings won’t waver.

real deal

take all the time you need to decide what

you,” he said, coaxing a giggle from

furrowed, looking at

without your contacts?” he inquired, and a twinge

sense in concealing the truth about them any

throat and absently tucking a

added to my nervousness; I desperately hoped this revelation wouldn’t

nothing wrong with

what I overheard you all discussing back in Lucland,” I confessed,

there was no longer any

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

the one

relentlessly

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

my nerves flutter; it seemed only fitting to carry on and divulge everything I had

was scared, partly because

stumbled over my words, the

that day was stubborn,

felt like I couldn’t measure

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

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

seemed to

was always you and

became friends,

and he made a move to draw me nearer,

imperative to express everything I had

hope and desperately wanted

fifteen, but I understood my emotions,

It was crystal clear.

never experienced anything like it

I overheard you four talking and laughing

and it made me feel stupid and

despised being a Stepanov more than I did

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

and I actually loved my hair colour, I thought maybe

out to draw me close, I allowed

with genuine remorse, and while I sensed his sincerity, he needed to understand the full

released his hold on me and locked his gaze

eyes, Jo,

your

is a blessing, not

was thoughtless and hurtful,

caught up but surpassed us; you continue to do so,” he earnestly

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

back time and

find it in your heart to forgive me and not let this

every facet of

perfect just the way

me this time; he

he transitioned from my neck to

and affectionate, devoid of

in keeping his promise of