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

return to the park ever since that

the same as the lake, it

with his arms, planting a gentle

immediately

presence of someone else nearby added a layer of shyness to

“Li,” I murmured softly.

in a

of electricity across my skin, and my thoughts began to stray into more forbidden territories as

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

didn’t want him to retreat, yet he seemed to

mat, soaking in the picturesque view and

Mrs.

appetizers and food,

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

to arrange for her to come and prepare this

in close to Liam, my gaze fixed on the

precious gift,” Liam voiced, his

a broad enough expanse to grant us this view, and

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

tranquillity enveloping us felt

around us was

in trouble, we wouldn’t be able to

movement were a poignant reminder that something of great

you’ll make an exceptional king when your

support,” I

want you

by my side,” he spoke earnestly, his

at a loss for

me close to

feelings; this

It’s real.

understand that my commitment to you

My feelings won’t waver.

the real deal for

the

will be patient with you,” he said, coaxing a

furrowed, looking at

and

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

throat and absently

only added to my nervousness; I desperately hoped this

actually nothing wrong with

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

no longer any justification for

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

the

know how relentlessly

that day,”

attentive demeanour made my nerves flutter; it seemed only fitting to carry on and divulge everything I

scared, partly because

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

that day was stubborn, refusing

I couldn’t measure

sister insisted that I should give it a shot,” I

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

never seemed to

always you

two became friends,

and that hurt,” I continued, and he made a

to express everything I had been holding

clung to hope and desperately wanted to share my feelings with you

was just fifteen, but

It was crystal clear.

never experienced

you four

stupid and insecure,” I

despised being a Stepanov more than I

pale skin, my eyes, my intelligence

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

out to draw me close, I

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

me

Jo,

among your

unique is a blessing, not a

four of us said was thoughtless and hurtful, driven

you not only caught up but surpassed us; you continue

deeply, Jo, and I wish I could undo my

time and

find it in your heart to forgive me

every

perfect just the way

hugged me this time; he kissed

transitioned from my neck

affectionate,

resolute in keeping his promise of