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

to return to the

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

planting a gentle kiss on the nape of

sensation from his kiss shot through me, immediately

added a layer

“Li,” I murmured softly.

he responded in a hushed tone, still

my thoughts began to stray into more forbidden territories as my desires started to

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

was tangible; I didn’t want him

mat, soaking in the picturesque view

Mrs.

array of appetizers and food,

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

expended considerable effort to arrange for her to come and

my gaze fixed on the

Liam voiced, his

before us provided a broad enough expanse to grant us this view,

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

us felt

calm around us was

war or in trouble,

poignant reminder that something of great significance

confident you’ll make an exceptional king

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

want you

earnestly, his sincerity evident in his

found myself momentarily at a loss for a

drew me close to

feelings; this isn’t some

It’s real.

you, but understand that my commitment

My feelings won’t waver.

real

the time you need to decide what

with you,” he said, coaxing a giggle

furrowed,

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

truth about them any

my throat and absently

my nervousness; I desperately hoped

nothing wrong with

contacts as a cover-up because of what I overheard you all discussing

no longer any justification for keeping

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

the one pushing

how relentlessly

on me that day,” I added with

shock and attentive demeanour made my nerves flutter; it seemed

scared, partly because

stumbled over my words, the memory stoking an odd ache

pain from that day was stubborn, refusing to

I couldn’t measure

give it a shot,” I

but I suppose I lacked the courage to let it

seemed to

was always you and

the moment you two became friends, you

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

was imperative to express everything I had been

I clung to hope and desperately wanted to share

just fifteen, but

It was crystal clear.

never experienced anything like

four talking and laughing

it made me feel stupid and insecure,”

think I’ve ever despised being

my intelligence – they all seemed

colour, I thought maybe having brown eyes would make me seem more ‘normal’,”

time, when Liam reached out to draw me close, I allowed him to

while I sensed his sincerity, he needed to

me and

eyes, Jo,

among your finest

a

of us said was thoughtless and hurtful,

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

it deeply,

and

you can find it in your heart to forgive me

every facet of

just the

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

whispered, and he transitioned from

kiss was tender and affectionate, devoid of any haste or

was resolute in keeping