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

was reluctant to confide

to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out on

did not want to rob her of the

only one that does

was messy, but I prayed for wisdom to

and I proceeded

toward us, offering respectful greetings,

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

sit well with me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered

was an

and the community there held a deep

compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow over the

Justin and I, purchasing some

my preference, but I was prepared to make

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted a

into a corner, we settled into our

speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned

matter concerning Sophia, I

to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about

and he was almost always by her side when

and Marvin were frequently seen with the Corrigan

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

like

and his siblings

why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine for emotional support and bandage is

you went from not being able to stand each

can’t see it? It

revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine?

showing her she matters, but we both know

we’re

is that you end this now before it escalates

if we encounter conflicts, they will extend to

the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our

falsely accused Adrik of treason to

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov

were looking for a substitute,” he

from Josephine in the morning, then

this word had become linked

shook my head and directed my

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

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

we discussed Sophia?”

“Yes, Justin.

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

have since

words weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet you never pursued

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have been

were with Sophia

missing, you suddenly

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

care for

I truly do.

you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative not

took me some time to untangle my feelings

emotions for her were born out of familiarity and the expectation

like a

point, I didn’t grasp the

I had a concept of

misinterpreted my infatuation

an incredible person, and being around her

I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting

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

hadn’t found her, my plan was to wait until

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

desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of

lay bare my