The Dark Side Of Fate

Telling Justin ~Liam~ The hospital wait proved challenging as time seemed to drag while we remained motionless.

Josephine and I took short strolls occasionally to stretch our legs.

I permitted her to rest on the couch while I remained standing.

Despite the unspoken nature of the situation, I anticipated that questions would arise soon.

Seated on my lap, Josephine inquired, “Are we still planning to visit the food truck?” Justin observed us, prompting his interruption, “What food truck?” “It’s a little place we checked out yesterday before all of this happened,” Josephine replied, intentionally vague about the location.

“I understand.

However, you two shouldn’t go anywhere without a couple more people at least,” he remarked, his tone resembling that of a protective figure.

I almost let out a chuckle at his statement.

“Point taken, Alpha,” I replied, and he wasn’t still smiling.

Whatever he was seeing bothered him a lot, and I knew I was the bad guy in the eyes of those who did not know what was going on.

“Join me in the cafeteria, Li.

I have something to discuss with you,” Justin stated, rising from his seat.

It was clear that the conversation intended for the pack house, either in his room or office, would now transpire in the hospital cafeteria.

The restlessness and tension in Justin’s gaze were evident, and I dreaded the confrontation.

Josephine appeared to share my unease, her expression reflecting worry.

Likewise, Charlotte seemed puzzled and disapproving.

It was apparent that all of them were protective of Josephine.

But what puzzled me was the underlying assumption that I could ever purposefully cause harm to Josephine or anyone else.

I had never dated anyone before.

This was my first relationship.

I might have crushed on Sophia and believed I was in love by the time of graduation, but I never made a move on her.

Seeing my impulses a few weeks ago, I realised I might have made that move because I liked having my life in order.

I wanted the relationship part taken care of, so I could forge ahead.

Usually, when most people turn eighteen, their parents are on the lookout for their mates, if any, because it is a rare occurrence, and a lot is damaged for those who find their mates later in life after being mated.

Finding Josephine was all I needed for me to know that I was about to tow the wrong path with Sophia.

Truly, regardless of the nature of my relationship with Sophia, I am committed to investing the same level of effort in locating her.

She’s my friend, and her well-being matters to me.

However, my emotions have become distinctly clearer, and my heart beats exclusively for Josephine.

Moreover, my motivations aren’t driven by our bond.

Spending time with Josephine allowed me to realise how mistaken I was about her true personality.

She turned out to be an exceptional person.

In all honesty, even with the eyeliner, she retained her unique charm.

Josephine shifted from my lap, prompting me to rise, prepared to accompany Justin to the cafeteria.

Similar to Uncle David, Justine possessed a stern side, and I understood that this time, I would be on the receiving end of it.

As we exited, the remainder of the team seated outside regarded us with surprise.

“Facing some trouble?” Noah reached out through our link, and I found myself at a loss for words.

“What’s going on between you and Justin?” Oliver’s message popped up in our mental connection.

“Josephine,” I responded, and a hush fell over our conversation.

Considering the current trajectory, it seemed the entire team would uncover the truth before Josephine did.

inevitable since I couldn’t address the situation with Justin

to confide

did not want to tell Josephine anything; I

to rob her of the feeling

she is the only one that does not know, I believe it

was messy, but I prayed for

and I

attention toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly

was a consequence of recognition—people were aware of our identities,

with me that, despite being the Beta, I

was

and the community there held a

of the events that had compelled our return to this place

and I, purchasing some

cuisine wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was prepared

sandwiches and

into a corner, we

to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and

concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about

evident, and he was almost always by her side when she was

frequently seen with the

my situation treated differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and I did not know how

like family,

his siblings are like

fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but

both of you went from not being able to stand each other and never speaking to

it? It

to revert seamlessly? How

of showing her she matters, but we both know that Sophia is your

we’re all

end this now before

encounter conflicts, they

and

of treason

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov

looking for

surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then

become linked to

directed

concern, but you can trust that Josephine’s well-being is genuinely important to

feelings for her are authentic,” I asserted,

how they were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I

“Yes, Justin.

ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had

have since

weren’t spoken

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet you

have

were with

that Sophia is missing, you suddenly start spending

won’t notice?” he pressed, causing me

care

I truly do.

if you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to believe

to untangle my

my emotions for her

like a

point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

of what they entailed, but I

my infatuation as

person, and being around

have misled me into believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting his

refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held out hope of

and still hadn’t found her, my plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen before making any

week, and the notion of waiting didn’t feel

desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my life

bare my feelings, but the