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

to return to the park ever since that

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

his arms, planting a gentle kiss on the nape of

immediately evoking a response

nearby added a layer

“Li,” I murmured softly.

Jo,” he responded in a hushed

to stray into more forbidden territories as my desires started to take on a

managed to utter, and

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

the mat, soaking in the picturesque view and relishing

Mrs.

array of appetizers and food, and once she had completed

a price – she couldn’t

expended considerable effort to arrange for her to

gaze

precious gift,” Liam voiced, his gaze fixed

before us provided a broad enough expanse to

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

felt like a

around us was

war or in trouble,

movement were a poignant reminder that something of great significance

confident you’ll make an exceptional king when your time

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

you there,

he spoke earnestly, his sincerity

at a

close to him, his

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

It’s real.

but understand that my commitment to you is

My feelings won’t waver.

is the real deal

of course, you can take all the time you need to decide what you

patient with you,” he said, coaxing a

brow furrowed,

contacts?” he inquired, and a twinge of embarrassment led me to avert

about

I began, clearing my throat and

I desperately hoped this

actually nothing wrong with my

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

there was no longer any justification for keeping

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

the one

relentlessly optimistic she

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

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

scared, partly because of Sophia’s

seemed perfect, so normal, and I…” I stumbled over my words, the memory

from that day was

like I couldn’t measure

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

had a crush on you for a while, but I

seemed to

was always you

two became friends,

were invisible, and that hurt,” I continued, and

imperative to express everything I had been

and desperately wanted to share my

but I

It was crystal clear.

experienced anything like

you four talking and

was there laughing too, and it made me feel stupid and

I’ve ever despised being a Stepanov more than I

my pale skin, my eyes, my intelligence

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 seem more ‘normal’,” I confessed, my vulnerability laid

time, when Liam reached out to draw me close,

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

on me

eyes, Jo,

among your finest

a blessing, not

of us said was thoughtless and hurtful, driven by our

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

I regret it deeply, Jo, and

and erase

it in your heart to forgive me and not let this linger

adore every facet of

just the

me this time; he kissed my neck again, and a moan escaped my lips before I could

he transitioned from my neck to

affectionate, devoid of any

in keeping his promise