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

quite the same

me with his arms, planting a gentle kiss on the nape of my

me, immediately evoking a

nearby added a

“Li,” I murmured softly.

a hushed tone,

electricity across my skin, and my thoughts began to stray into more forbidden territories as my desires started to take

of her,” I managed to utter, and he chuckled, easing

didn’t want him to retreat, yet

the mat, soaking in the picturesque view and relishing the serene ambience of

Mrs.

of appetizers and food, and once

a price – she couldn’t have

must have expended considerable effort to arrange for her

Liam, my gaze fixed

is a precious gift,” Liam voiced, his gaze

expanse to grant us this view, and

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

enveloping us felt

around us

were at war or in trouble, we

were a poignant reminder that something

you’ll make an exceptional king when your

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

you there,

earnestly, his sincerity

found myself momentarily at a loss

drew me close to him, his gaze

with your feelings; this isn’t some experiment for

It’s real.

you, but understand that my commitment to you is

My feelings won’t waver.

real

the time

with you,” he said, coaxing

brow furrowed,

you been managing without your contacts?” he inquired, and a

in concealing the truth about

and absently tucking a strand of hair behind my

to my nervousness; I

nothing wrong with my

what I overheard you all discussing back

was no longer any justification for keeping this

actually planning to ask you out,”

the one

know how relentlessly optimistic she

off on me that day,” I added with a

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

partly because of Sophia’s

and I…” I stumbled over my

that day was

I couldn’t measure up,

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

for a while, but

never seemed to

was always you

became friends, you started sidelining

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

to express everything I

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

was just fifteen, but I understood

It was crystal clear.

never experienced anything like it

then I overheard you four talking and

me feel stupid and insecure,” I revealed, my

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

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

my IQ, and I actually loved my hair colour, I thought maybe having brown eyes would

to draw me close, I allowed him to hold

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

me and locked his gaze

Jo,

among your

a blessing, not a

of us said was thoughtless and

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

it deeply, Jo, and I wish

back time and

can find it in your heart to forgive me and

every facet of

just the way you

want a single thing to change,” he articulated sincerely and hugged me this time; he kissed my neck again, and a moan escaped my

I whispered, and he transitioned from my

was tender and affectionate,

resolute in keeping his promise of