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

to return to the park ever since that

the stream wasn’t quite the same

planting a gentle kiss on the

from his kiss shot through me, immediately

of someone else nearby added a layer

“Li,” I murmured softly.

he responded in a hushed tone,

and my thoughts began to stray into more forbidden territories

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

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

settled onto the mat, soaking in the picturesque view and relishing the serene ambience of the

Mrs.

and food, and once she

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

expended considerable effort to arrange for her to come and prepare

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

Liam voiced, his gaze fixed

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

fought so valiantly to secure,” he said, and I nodded in agreement, entwining

tranquillity enveloping us felt like a treasured

calm around us was

we were at war or in trouble, we wouldn’t

reminder

confident you’ll make an exceptional king

to offer our unwavering support,”

want you there,

side,” he spoke earnestly,

at a loss for a

me close to him, his gaze

your feelings; this isn’t some experiment

It’s real.

understand that my commitment

My feelings won’t waver.

is the real deal for

can take all the time

be patient with you,” he said,

brow furrowed, looking at

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

about them

my throat and

I desperately hoped this revelation wouldn’t sour our

actually nothing wrong

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

was no

you out,”

the one

how relentlessly optimistic she can

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

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

was scared, partly

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

that day was stubborn, refusing to

felt like I couldn’t

give it a shot,” I confessed, my eyes welling with

crush on you for a while, but

never seemed

always

you two became friends, you started sidelining me,

continued, and he made a move to draw me

express everything I had been

and desperately wanted to share my feelings

fifteen, but I understood my

It was crystal clear.

never experienced anything like it

I overheard you four

and it made me feel stupid and insecure,” I revealed, my voice trembling as tears streamed

I’ve ever despised being a Stepanov

intelligence –

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

to draw me close, I allowed

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

hold on me and locked his gaze onto

eyes, Jo, they’re

among your finest

unique is a blessing, not

four of us said was thoughtless

some months, yet you not only caught up but surpassed us; you continue to do so,” he earnestly expressed, evoking

deeply, Jo, and I wish

and erase those

can find it in your heart to forgive me and

every facet of

perfect just the way you

sincerely and hugged me this time; he kissed my

I whispered, and he transitioned from my neck

was tender and affectionate, devoid of any haste or

in keeping his