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.

situation with Justin without disclosing the truth

was reluctant to confide in

anything; I wanted her to find out on

to rob her of the

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

prayed

I

us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

consequence of recognition—people were

didn’t sit well with me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more reverence

was

was extensive, and the community there held a deep affection for

the events that had compelled our return to this place cast a

and I, purchasing

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

offering of sandwiches and water

a corner, we settled into

the reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin

matter concerning Sophia, I

why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries

he was almost always by her

Marvin were frequently seen

treated differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What

like

his siblings are like

I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine for emotional support and

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

think we can’t see it? It is wrong to use

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

she matters, but we both know that Sophia is your sole

why we’re all

you end this now before it escalates and jeopardises

if we encounter conflicts, they will

well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our great-great- grandfather,

of treason

his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families

not create another problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that word ‘substitute’

thrice that day—first from Josephine in

become linked to

and directed

I understand your concern, but you can trust that Josephine’s

for her are authentic,” I asserted, and he let

time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I averted my

“Yes, Justin.

arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my lips and had crossed my

have since

words weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

presence, and yet

Oliver have been upfront

were with

you suddenly start

truly believe people won’t notice?” he pressed, causing me

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

your prerogative not to believe

some time to untangle my

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

felt like

I didn’t grasp the

of what they entailed,

my

is an incredible person, and

me into believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting

this time, I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held out hope

eighteen and still hadn’t found her, my plan

and the notion of waiting didn’t feel right

desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of

lay bare my