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 me

had yearned to return to the park ever since that

the same as the lake, it was more than

arms, planting a gentle kiss on the nape

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

else nearby added a layer

“Li,” I murmured softly.

he responded in a hushed tone, still holding me

my thoughts began to stray into more forbidden

I managed to utter, and

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

soaking in the picturesque view and relishing the serene

Mrs.

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

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

for her to come and

my gaze fixed on the horizon to marvel

Liam voiced, his gaze fixed on the

a broad enough expanse to grant us

we can to protect the peace our parents fought so

enveloping us felt like a

calm around us was a

trouble, we wouldn’t be able to do

on our movement were a poignant reminder that something of great significance was

an exceptional king when

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

you

he spoke earnestly, his sincerity evident

found myself momentarily at a loss for

close to him, his

toying with your feelings; this

It’s real.

you, but understand that my commitment to you is

My feelings won’t waver.

the real

all the time you need to decide what you

you,” he said, coaxing a giggle

brow furrowed, looking at

contacts?” he inquired, and a twinge of embarrassment led me to avert

concealing the truth about them any longer; it was time to come

my throat and absently tucking a strand of hair

my nervousness; I

actually nothing wrong with my

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

had to crumble; there was no longer

to ask you out,” I

the one pushing

relentlessly optimistic she can

day,” I added with

nerves flutter; it seemed only fitting to carry on and divulge

scared, partly because of

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

that day was

felt like I couldn’t

should give it

while, but I suppose I lacked the

never seemed

always you

two became friends, you started

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

to express everything I had been holding

everything, I clung to hope and desperately wanted to share my feelings

just fifteen, but I understood

It was crystal clear.

never experienced

then I overheard you four talking and laughing

laughing too, and it made me feel stupid and insecure,” I revealed, my

ever despised being a Stepanov

skin, my eyes, my intelligence – they all seemed to work against

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

out to draw me close, I allowed him to hold

he apologised with genuine remorse, and while I

me and locked his gaze

eyes, Jo,

among your

is a blessing, not a

us said was thoughtless

yet you not only caught up but surpassed us; you continue

I regret it deeply, Jo, and I wish I could undo my words

back time and erase

can find it in your heart to forgive me and

every facet of

just the way you

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

transitioned

tender and affectionate, devoid of any haste or

keeping his promise