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.

address the situation with Justin without disclosing the

reluctant to

did not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out

rob her

everyone on this team knows, and she is the only one that does not know, I

was messy, but I prayed for wisdom

and I

toward us, offering

were aware

well with me that, despite being the

was an

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

that had compelled our return to this place

into the cafeteria, Justin and I,

cuisine wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was

sandwiches and water hardly constituted a satisfying

into a corner, we settled

reason I asked to speak with you,”

the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about

Elaine was evident, and he was almost always by her

frequently

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

is like

Alexei and his siblings

I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying

going on in her head? The both of you went from not being able

you think we can’t see it? It is

How do you think

do a convincing job of showing her she matters, but we both know that Sophia is

why we’re all

this now before it escalates

me, if we encounter conflicts, they will extend

including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions

of treason to

Eric, and ten Stepanov

looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that word ‘substitute’

Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s home, and now

word had become

directed my

but you can trust

intentions are sincere, and my feelings for her are authentic,” I asserted, and

sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he

“Yes, Justin.

would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had

have since

spoken in haste,

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about

with Sophia

that Sophia is missing, you suddenly start spending

people won’t notice?” he pressed, causing me to shake

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

it’s your prerogative not

time to untangle

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

like a

grasp

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

misinterpreted my infatuation

and

me into believing I had deeper feelings,” I

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

my plan was to wait until

something changed during graduation week, and the notion of waiting didn’t

things, to get that aspect of my life

intended to speak with her, to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had