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 park

quite the same as the lake, it was more than

a gentle kiss on the nape

immediately evoking a response that

nearby added a layer

“Li,” I murmured softly.

a hushed

my thoughts began to stray into more

to utter, and he

I felt was tangible; I didn’t want him to retreat,

in the picturesque view and relishing the serene

Mrs.

and food,

come without a price – she

to arrange for her

gaze fixed on the horizon to marvel at

a precious gift,” Liam voiced, his gaze fixed

before us provided a broad enough 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 in agreement, entwining my

enveloping us felt like

calm around us

in trouble, we wouldn’t be able to

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

you’ll make an exceptional king when your

all be there to offer our unwavering support,” I assured

want you

he spoke earnestly, his sincerity evident in

at a loss for a

close to

toying with your feelings; this isn’t some experiment

It’s real.

but understand that my commitment to you is

My feelings won’t waver.

real deal

all the time you need to decide what

patient with you,” he said, coaxing a giggle

brow furrowed, looking at

your contacts?” he inquired, and a twinge of embarrassment led

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

I began, clearing my throat and absently tucking a strand of hair

I desperately hoped this revelation

wrong with

of what I overheard you all discussing back

no

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

the one

how relentlessly optimistic she

have rubbed off on me that day,” I

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

scared, partly because of Sophia’s

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

day was stubborn,

felt like I couldn’t measure up,

should give it

for a while, but I suppose I lacked the courage

seemed to

was always you and

moment you two became friends, you started sidelining me, even

as though I were invisible, and that hurt,” I continued, and he made a move to draw me

to express everything

hope and desperately wanted to share my feelings with you that

just fifteen, but

It was crystal clear.

had never experienced anything

overheard you four talking and laughing

was there laughing too, and it made me feel stupid and

ever despised

my eyes, my intelligence – they all seemed

or my IQ, and I 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

while I sensed his sincerity, he needed to

me and locked his

eyes, Jo, they’re

among your

a

of us said was thoughtless and hurtful, driven by our own

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

it deeply, Jo, and I

time and

your heart to

every facet of

just the way

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

I whispered, and he transitioned from my neck

affectionate,

keeping his promise