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

to return to

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

his arms, planting a gentle kiss on the nape

shot through me, immediately evoking a response that

presence of someone else nearby added a layer

“Li,” I murmured softly.

in a hushed

to stray

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

him to retreat, yet he seemed

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

Mrs.

of appetizers and food, and once she had completed her task, she

didn’t come without a price – she couldn’t

have expended considerable effort to arrange for her to come and

I nestled in close to Liam, my gaze fixed on

precious gift,” Liam voiced,

enough expanse to grant us this view, and it was truly

peace our parents fought so valiantly to secure,” he said,

us felt like a

us was

in trouble, we wouldn’t be

movement were a poignant reminder that something of great significance

make an exceptional king when your time

support,”

you

by my side,” he spoke earnestly,

found myself momentarily at a loss for a

close to him, his gaze penetrating

your feelings; this isn’t some

It’s real.

rush you, but understand that my

My feelings won’t waver.

is the real deal for

can take all the time you need

he said, coaxing a giggle from

furrowed,

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

about them any

began, clearing my throat and absently

only added to my nervousness; I

nothing wrong with my eyes,

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

there was no longer any justification for keeping

to ask you out,” I

was the

relentlessly optimistic

day,” I added

flutter; it seemed only fitting to carry

partly because

stumbled over my words, the memory stoking an odd ache within

pain from that day was stubborn,

felt like I couldn’t measure up,

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

but I suppose I

never seemed to

was always you

two became friends, you started

continued, and he made

imperative to express everything I

to hope and desperately wanted to

was just fifteen, but I understood my emotions,

It was crystal clear.

experienced

then I overheard you four

and insecure,” I revealed, my voice trembling as tears streamed down

ever despised being a Stepanov more

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

loved my hair colour, I thought maybe having brown eyes would make

Liam reached out to draw

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

released his hold on me and

Jo, they’re

among your finest

unique is a

us said was thoughtless and hurtful, driven

not only caught up but surpassed us; you continue to do so,”

wouldn’t be jealous of a perfect person? I regret it deeply, Jo, and I wish I

and

in your heart to forgive me and not

adore every facet of

the way you

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

whispered, and he transitioned from

and affectionate, devoid of any haste or

keeping his