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

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

planting a gentle kiss on the nape of my

sensation from his kiss shot through me, immediately evoking

presence of someone else nearby added a layer of shyness to my

“Li,” I murmured softly.

responded in a

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

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

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

the picturesque view and relishing the serene ambience of the

Mrs.

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

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

effort to arrange for her to come and prepare this

to Liam, my gaze fixed on the horizon to marvel at the unfolding

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

broad enough expanse to grant us

peace our parents fought so valiantly to secure,” he said, and I nodded in

enveloping us felt

around us was

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

were a poignant reminder that something

an exceptional king when your time comes,

there to offer our unwavering support,” I assured him, prompting him to turn his gaze

you there,

he spoke earnestly, his sincerity

momentarily at a loss for

me close to him, his gaze

your feelings; this isn’t some experiment

It’s real.

won’t rush you, but understand that

My feelings won’t waver.

is the real deal for

the time you need

be patient with you,” he said, coaxing a

brow furrowed, looking

your contacts?” he inquired, and a twinge of

concealing the truth about them any longer; it was

my throat and absently tucking a strand of

nervousness; I desperately hoped this revelation wouldn’t sour

wrong with

of what I overheard you

there was no longer any justification for keeping

to ask you out,” I admitted, and his

the one

relentlessly optimistic she can

that day,” I added with a chuckle, reminiscing about

made my nerves flutter; it seemed only fitting to carry on and divulge everything I had

scared, partly

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

from that day

felt like I couldn’t

insisted that I should give it a shot,” I confessed, my eyes welling

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

seemed

always you and

moment you two became friends, you started

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

was imperative to express everything I

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

but I understood my emotions,

It was crystal clear.

experienced anything like

then I overheard you four talking and laughing about

and it made me feel stupid and insecure,” I revealed,

that moment, I don’t think I’ve ever despised

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

I couldn’t change my skin or my IQ, and I actually loved my hair colour, I thought maybe having brown eyes would make me

reached out to draw me

apologised with genuine remorse, and while I sensed his sincerity, he needed

hold on me

eyes, Jo, they’re

among your

a blessing,

four of us said was thoughtless and

caught 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 erase those

can find it in your heart to forgive

adore every facet

the way

he articulated sincerely and hugged me this time; he

I whispered, and he transitioned from

and affectionate,

keeping his