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

yearned to return to the park ever since that

wasn’t quite the same as

a gentle kiss on the

from his kiss shot through me, immediately

of someone else nearby added a layer of

“Li,” I murmured softly.

Jo,” he responded in a hushed tone, still holding

my thoughts began to stray into more forbidden territories as my desires started to take on a wild

her,” I managed to utter, and he chuckled, easing away from

tangible; I didn’t want him to

mat, soaking in the picturesque view and

Mrs.

an array of appetizers and food,

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

have expended considerable effort to arrange for her

I nestled in close to Liam, my gaze fixed on the horizon to marvel

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

broad enough expanse to grant us this view, and

our parents fought so valiantly to secure,”

us felt

around us

war or in trouble, we wouldn’t be able to do

on our movement were a poignant reminder that something of

exceptional king

there to offer our unwavering support,” I assured

you

side,” he spoke earnestly, his sincerity evident in

found myself momentarily at a loss for

close to him,

toying with your feelings; this isn’t some

It’s real.

but understand that my commitment

My feelings won’t waver.

is the real

course, you can take all the time you need to decide what you

patient with you,” he said, coaxing a giggle from

brow furrowed, looking at

contacts?” he inquired, and a

truth about

I began, clearing my throat and

I desperately hoped

nothing wrong

a cover-up because of what I overheard you all discussing

had to crumble; there was no longer any

to ask you out,” I admitted, and

the one pushing

relentlessly optimistic she can

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

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

was scared, partly because of Sophia’s

stumbled over my words, the memory

from that day was stubborn, refusing to

like I couldn’t measure up,

it a shot,” I confessed, my eyes welling

you for a while, but I suppose I lacked the courage to let it

never seemed to

always you

moment you two became friends, you

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

to express everything I had

to hope and desperately wanted to share

but I understood my

It was crystal clear.

experienced anything

four talking and laughing

feel stupid and insecure,” I revealed, my

don’t think I’ve ever despised

my eyes, my intelligence

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

time, when Liam reached out to draw me close, I allowed him to hold

remorse, and while I sensed his sincerity, he

me and locked his gaze

eyes, Jo,

among your finest

unique is a blessing, not a

us said was thoughtless and

caught up but surpassed us;

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

back time and erase those

to forgive me

adore every facet of

the

this time; he kissed my neck again, and

I whispered, and he transitioned from

tender and affectionate, devoid

keeping his promise of