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.

touched me

yearned to return to the park ever since that

same as the lake,

arms, planting a gentle kiss on the nape

kiss shot through me, immediately evoking a

of someone else nearby added a layer of shyness to

“Li,” I murmured softly.

in a hushed

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

to utter, and he chuckled,

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

settled onto the mat, soaking in the picturesque view and relishing

Mrs.

of appetizers and food, and once she had completed her task, she discreetly

without a

expended considerable effort to arrange for her to come and

Liam, my gaze fixed on the horizon to

precious gift,” Liam voiced, his gaze

us provided a broad enough expanse to grant us this view, and it was truly

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

us felt like a treasured

around us

in trouble, we wouldn’t be able to

were a poignant reminder that something of great significance was

an exceptional king when your

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

want you

earnestly, his

momentarily at

to him, his gaze penetrating

toying with your feelings; this isn’t some

It’s real.

you, but understand that my

My feelings won’t waver.

the real

the time you

with you,” he said, coaxing a giggle

brow furrowed,

managing without your contacts?” he inquired, and a twinge of embarrassment led me to

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

my throat and

added to my nervousness; I desperately hoped

nothing wrong with my eyes,

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

to crumble; there was no longer any justification for

day, I was actually planning to ask you out,”

the one pushing

how relentlessly optimistic

rubbed off on me that day,” I added with a chuckle, reminiscing

it seemed only fitting to

was scared, partly because of Sophia’s

normal, and I…” I stumbled over my

day was stubborn,

felt like I

should give it a shot,” I confessed,

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

never seemed to

was always you and

you two became friends, you

though I were invisible, and that hurt,” I continued, and he made a move

imperative to express everything I had been

wanted to share my feelings

just fifteen, but I understood my emotions,

It was crystal clear.

never experienced anything

then I overheard you four talking and laughing about

was there laughing too, and it made me feel stupid and insecure,” I revealed, my voice

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

my pale skin, my eyes, my intelligence – they all seemed

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

to draw me close, I

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

on me

eyes, Jo,

among your

a blessing, not a

said was thoughtless

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

perfect person? I regret it deeply, Jo,

back time and erase those

you can find it in your heart to forgive me and not let

adore every

the

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,

was resolute in keeping