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

had yearned to return to the park

the same as the

me with his arms, planting a gentle kiss on the

immediately evoking a response that I shouldn’t be

someone else nearby added a layer of

“Li,” I murmured softly.

in a hushed tone,

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

her,” I managed to utter, and he chuckled, easing

I felt was tangible; I didn’t want him to

onto the mat, soaking in the picturesque view

Mrs.

served us an array of appetizers and food, and once she had completed

didn’t come without a price –

her to

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

voiced, his gaze

enough expanse to grant us this

everything we can to protect the peace our parents fought so valiantly

us felt like

calm around us was a

in trouble, we wouldn’t be

our movement were a poignant reminder that something of great significance was

exceptional king when

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

want you

spoke earnestly, his sincerity evident in his

momentarily at a loss for a

to him, his gaze penetrating

with your feelings;

It’s real.

you, but understand that

My feelings won’t waver.

is the real deal for

the time you need to decide

will be patient with you,” he said, coaxing a giggle

brow furrowed,

without your contacts?” he inquired, and a twinge of

sense in concealing the truth about them any longer; it was time to

throat and absently tucking a

attentiveness only added to my nervousness; I desperately hoped this

actually nothing wrong with

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

crumble; there was no longer

ask you out,” I

was the one pushing

how relentlessly optimistic

rubbed off on me that day,” I added

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

was scared, partly because of

I…” I stumbled over my words, the

day was stubborn,

like I couldn’t measure up,

give it a shot,”

for a while, but I suppose I lacked

never seemed to

was always

friends, you

was as though I were invisible, and that hurt,” I continued, and

imperative to express everything I had

hope and desperately wanted to share my feelings with

but I

It was crystal clear.

never experienced

then I overheard you four talking and laughing about

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

I’ve ever despised being a Stepanov more

pale skin, my eyes, my intelligence – they all seemed to work against

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

reached out to draw me close,

genuine remorse, and while I

his hold on me and locked his gaze

Jo, they’re

among your

unique is a blessing,

the four of us said was thoughtless

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

regret it deeply, Jo, and I wish I

back time and erase those

your heart to forgive me and not let this

every

the

time;

whispered, and he transitioned from

kiss was tender and affectionate, devoid of any haste or

resolute in keeping