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.

was inevitable since I couldn’t address the situation with Justin without disclosing the truth about

to

to tell Josephine anything; I

did not want to rob her of

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

messy, but I prayed for

and I

toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

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

that, despite being the Beta, I

it was

Grizlo was extensive, and the community

compelled our return to this place cast

into the cafeteria, Justin and I,

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

sandwiches and

for a table tucked into a corner, we

speak with you,” Justin inquired

Sophia, I

left me puzzled as to why others weren’t

attachment to Elaine was evident, and he was almost always

and Marvin were frequently

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

like family,

siblings are like

understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so

head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each

can’t see it? It is wrong to use

you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will

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

why we’re

advice is that you end this now before it escalates and jeopardises

encounter conflicts, they will extend to our

you’ve studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of

accused Adrik of

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

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

surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in

how this word had become linked to my

and directed

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

and my feelings for her are

we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I averted

“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 my lips and had

circumstances have since

weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

a constant presence, and

Miles, and Oliver have been

were with

you suddenly start

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

care for

I truly do.

prerogative not to believe me,

some time to untangle my feelings concerning

those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her

like a

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

a concept of what they entailed,

my infatuation as

incredible person, and being around her

I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting his

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

her, my plan was to wait until

during graduation week, and the notion

get

lay bare