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

to confide in Josephine

I wanted

rob her of the

and she is the only one that does not know, I believe it

messy, but I prayed

and I proceeded in

us, offering respectful greetings, particularly

were

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

it was

history within Grizlo was extensive, and the

had compelled our return to this place cast a

cafeteria, Justin and I,

exactly my preference, but I was prepared to

sandwiches and water hardly constituted a

tucked into a corner, we settled into our

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

Sophia,

me puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about

he was

were frequently seen with the

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

like

siblings

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 each other and never speaking to

it? It is

Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection for you; it’s evident in her

convincing job of showing her she matters, but we both

we’re all

advice is that you end this now before it escalates

me, if we encounter conflicts, they will extend

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

Adrik of treason

and ten Stepanov families

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

‘substitute’ had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s home, and

this word had become linked

directed my gaze

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

are authentic,” I asserted, and he let out

like how they were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and

“Yes, Justin.

if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those

have

words weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

presence, and yet

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about

with

is missing, you suddenly

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

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

your prerogative not to

took me some time to

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

felt like a

didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

I had a concept of

misinterpreted my infatuation as

person, and being

have misled me into believing I had

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

my plan was to wait until Sophia turned

and the notion of

desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my

intended to speak with her, to lay bare