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

wasn’t quite the same

planting a gentle kiss on the

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

of someone else nearby added a

“Li,” I murmured softly.

a hushed tone, still

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

utter, and he

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

mat, soaking in the picturesque view

Mrs.

appetizers and food, and

without a price

have expended considerable effort to arrange for her to come and prepare this

in close to Liam, my gaze fixed on

a precious gift,” Liam voiced, his gaze

a broad enough expanse to grant us this view,

our parents fought so valiantly to secure,” he said, and I nodded in agreement, entwining my fingers

us felt like a treasured

around us was

trouble, we

on our movement were a poignant reminder that something of

an exceptional king when

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

you there,

by my side,” he spoke earnestly, his sincerity evident in his

at a loss

close to him, his gaze

with your feelings; this isn’t

It’s real.

understand that my commitment to

My feelings won’t waver.

is the real deal

of course, you can take all the time you need

patient with you,” he said,

furrowed, looking at

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

little sense in concealing the truth about them any longer; it

um, you see,” I began, clearing my throat and absently tucking a strand of hair behind

only added to my nervousness; I desperately hoped this

nothing wrong with

of what I overheard you all discussing back in Lucland,” I confessed, finally meeting

to crumble; there was no longer any justification

planning to ask you out,” I admitted, and his expression registered

the one pushing

know how relentlessly optimistic she

on me that day,”

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

was scared, partly

over my words, the memory stoking an odd ache within

day was stubborn, refusing

I couldn’t measure up,

I should give it a shot,” I confessed, my

for a while, but I suppose

seemed to

was always you

you two became friends, you started

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

express everything I had been holding

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

just fifteen, but I understood

It was crystal clear.

had never experienced

overheard you four talking and laughing

and it made me feel stupid and insecure,”

think I’ve ever despised being a Stepanov more than I did

intelligence

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

time, when Liam reached out to draw

he apologised with genuine remorse, and while I sensed his sincerity, he needed to understand the full

hold on me and locked his gaze onto

Jo, they’re

among your finest

unique is a blessing,

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

up but surpassed us; you continue to do so,” he earnestly expressed, evoking a giggle from

of a perfect person? I regret it deeply, Jo, and I wish I could

back time and erase

to forgive me and not let

adore every

just the

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

whispered, and he transitioned from my

affectionate,

was resolute in keeping