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

the same as

a gentle

kiss shot through me, immediately evoking a

presence of someone else nearby added a layer

“Li,” I murmured softly.

Jo,” he responded in a hushed tone, still holding me

off sparks of electricity across my skin, and my thoughts began to

her,” I managed to utter, and

I didn’t want him to retreat,

soaking in the picturesque view and relishing the

Mrs.

us an array of appetizers and food, and

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

for her to come and prepare this

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

Liam voiced, his

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

can to protect the peace our parents fought so valiantly to secure,” he said, and I

felt

us was

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

were a poignant reminder that something of great significance was at

an exceptional king when your time comes,

all be there to offer our unwavering support,” I assured him,

you

earnestly, his sincerity evident in his

myself momentarily at a

drew me close to him,

your feelings; this isn’t some

It’s real.

won’t rush you, but understand that my commitment

My feelings won’t waver.

is the real deal for

you can take all the time you

will be patient with you,” he said, coaxing

furrowed, looking at

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

truth about

you see,” I began, clearing my throat and absently tucking a

I desperately hoped

wrong with my

contacts as a cover-up because of what I overheard you all discussing back in Lucland,” I confessed, finally

crumble; there was no

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

the

how relentlessly optimistic she

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

demeanour made my nerves flutter; it seemed only fitting to carry on

partly because of Sophia’s

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

day was

felt like I couldn’t

it a shot,” I confessed, my eyes

while, but I

seemed

was always you

you two became friends,

I continued, and he made

express everything

hope and desperately wanted to share my feelings

but I understood my emotions,

It was crystal clear.

had never experienced

I overheard you four talking and laughing about

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

I don’t think I’ve ever despised being a Stepanov more than I

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

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

reached out to draw me close, I allowed him

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

his hold on me and

eyes, Jo,

your

is a blessing,

was thoughtless and hurtful,

and some months, yet you not only caught up but surpassed us;

person? I regret it deeply, Jo, and I wish I could undo

time and erase those

hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me

adore every facet of

the way

to change,” he articulated sincerely and hugged me this time; he

and he transitioned from my neck to my

affectionate, devoid

resolute in keeping his promise