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

reluctant to confide in Josephine

I wanted her to

did not want to rob her of

the only one that does not know,

but I prayed for wisdom to get

I proceeded

turned their attention toward us, offering

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

with me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered

was an

history within Grizlo was extensive, and the community

compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow over

and I, purchasing

but I

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted

a corner, we

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

beyond the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

others weren’t receiving similar

and he was almost always by her

and Marvin were frequently

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

like family,

Alexei and his siblings are like

you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting

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

It is wrong to

you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds

her she matters, but we

we’re all in

that you end this now before it escalates

if we encounter conflicts, they will extend to our

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

accused Adrik of treason

his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who resolved

for a substitute,” he warned, and that

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

this word had become

directed

but you can trust

are authentic,” I asserted, and he let out a

how they were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?”

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have

words weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet you never pursued

have been upfront about

were with

that Sophia is missing, you suddenly start spending

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

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

and it’s your prerogative not to believe me, but I’m speaking the

to untangle

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

felt like

point, I didn’t grasp

I had a concept of what they entailed,

misinterpreted my

an incredible person, and

have misled me into believing I had deeper

Sophia or asking her out because I held out hope of

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

and the notion

things, to get that

lay bare my feelings, but the universe had its own