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.

I couldn’t address the situation with

reluctant to confide in Josephine

to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out

rob her of the feeling

team knows, and she is the only one that does

messy, but I prayed for wisdom

and I

toward us, offering respectful greetings,

was a consequence of recognition—people were aware

me that, despite being

was

was extensive, and the

compelled our return to this place cast

stepped into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food

exactly my preference, but I was prepared to

of sandwiches and water hardly

tucked into a corner, we settled into

the reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned a

beyond the matter concerning Sophia,

why others weren’t receiving

Elaine was evident, and he was almost always by her side when

frequently seen with the

allowed to form a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?”

is like family,

his siblings are

and alliance through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine for

you went from not being able to stand

it? It is wrong to use

to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection for you;

do a convincing job of showing her she matters, but we

why we’re all

advice is that you end this now

encounter conflicts,

studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially

accused Adrik of treason

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

you were looking for a substitute,”

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

become linked to my

directed my gaze

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

are authentic,” I asserted, and he let

sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I averted

“Yes, Justin.

I would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my lips and had crossed my

circumstances have since

weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

a constant presence,

Oliver have

were with

you suddenly

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

care for

I truly do.

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

some time to untangle

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

felt like

that point, I didn’t grasp the

had a concept of what they entailed, but I was

misinterpreted my

an incredible person, and being around her

I had deeper feelings,” I

or asking her out because I held out hope

eighteen and still hadn’t found her, my plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen

the notion of waiting didn’t feel right

a desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of

to lay bare