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

had yearned to return to the park ever since that

though the stream wasn’t quite the same as the lake, it was more than

me with his arms, planting a gentle kiss

shot through me, immediately evoking a response that I

presence of someone else nearby added a layer of shyness

“Li,” I murmured softly.

Jo,” he responded in a hushed

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

in front of her,” I managed to utter, and he chuckled, easing away

want him to retreat, yet

in the picturesque view and relishing the serene

Mrs.

diligently served us an array of appetizers and food, and

was aware that her assistance didn’t come without a price – she couldn’t have left her food

considerable effort to arrange for her to

my gaze fixed on

gift,” Liam voiced, his gaze fixed on

expanse to grant us this view, and it

peace our parents fought so valiantly

tranquillity enveloping us felt like a

around us was a

or in trouble, we wouldn’t be able to

poignant reminder that something

you’ll make an exceptional king when your time comes,

there to offer our unwavering support,” I

you there,

side,” he spoke earnestly, his

momentarily at a loss

to him, his

toying with your feelings; this isn’t some experiment for

It’s real.

won’t rush you, but understand that my commitment to

My feelings won’t waver.

the real deal for

course, you can take all the time you need to

with you,” he said, coaxing a giggle from

furrowed, looking at

and a twinge of

in concealing the truth about them any longer;

throat and absently tucking

attentiveness only added to my nervousness; I desperately hoped this revelation wouldn’t

actually nothing wrong with my

cover-up because of what I overheard you all discussing back in Lucland,” I confessed, finally meeting his

was no longer any justification

planning to ask you out,”

was the one pushing

know how relentlessly optimistic

me that day,” I

seemed only fitting to carry on

was scared, partly because

over my words, the memory stoking an odd

day was stubborn, refusing to

felt like I couldn’t measure up,

insisted that I should give it

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

seemed

was always you and

became friends,

and he made

everything I

to hope and desperately wanted to share my feelings with

just fifteen, but I understood

It was crystal clear.

never experienced anything like

overheard you four talking and

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

ever despised being a Stepanov more than I

pale skin, my eyes, my intelligence – they all seemed to work against

IQ, and I actually loved my hair colour, I thought maybe having brown eyes would make me seem

out to draw

sorry,” he apologised with genuine remorse, and while I sensed

his hold on me and

Jo, they’re

your

a blessing,

the four of us said was thoughtless

up but surpassed us; you continue to do so,” he earnestly

person? I regret it deeply, Jo,

and erase those

in your heart to forgive me and

adore every

the way you

sincerely and hugged me this time; he kissed my neck

transitioned

tender and affectionate, devoid

resolute in keeping