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 without

reluctant to confide

did not want to tell Josephine anything; I

to rob her

she is the only one that does not know,

messy, but I prayed for wisdom

I proceeded in

toward us, offering respectful

was a consequence of recognition—people were aware of

sit well with me that, despite being

was an anticipated

Grizlo was extensive, and the community there

had compelled our return to this place cast a

and I, purchasing some food upon

but I was

sandwiches and water hardly constituted a

into a corner, we settled

speak with you,” Justin inquired

Sophia, I

others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about

he was

Marvin were frequently seen with

my situation treated differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well?

is like

siblings are like

and alliance through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss

from not being able to stand each

can’t see it? It is wrong to use people

think will happen when we find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She

job of showing her she matters, but we both know

we’re all in

advice is that you end this now before

we encounter conflicts,

history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially

accused Adrik of treason

Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who

problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he

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

how this word had become linked to my

head and directed my gaze at

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

intentions are sincere, and my feelings for her are

last time we discussed Sophia?”

“Yes, Justin.

admit I did say I would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped

circumstances have since

spoken in

You meant them.

a constant presence, and yet you never

and Oliver have been upfront

with

missing, you suddenly start spending time

pressed, causing me to shake my

care for

I truly do.

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

time to untangle

to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity and the expectation of the

felt like a natural

that point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

I had a concept of what they entailed, but I was

my

an incredible person, and being around her was

believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed,

time, I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out

eighteen and still hadn’t found her, my plan was

and the notion of waiting

accelerate things, to get that aspect of my life settled and move

lay bare my feelings,