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.

the situation with Justin without disclosing the truth

was reluctant to

tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find

to rob her of the feeling

and she is the only one that does not know,

prayed for

I proceeded in

their attention toward us, offering

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

with me that, despite being

was an

extensive, and the community there held a deep

events that had compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow over

and I, purchasing some

wasn’t exactly my preference, but I

of sandwiches and water hardly constituted a satisfying

for a table tucked into a corner, we settled into our

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

concerning Sophia,

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

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

Marvin were frequently seen with the Corrigan

as well? “What is

is like

his siblings are

fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much,

you went from not being able to stand each other

It is wrong to

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

she matters, but

why we’re all

you end this now before it escalates and

encounter conflicts, they will extend to our

Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially

of treason

Eric, and ten Stepanov

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

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

had become linked to my

my head and directed my

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

and my feelings for her are authentic,” I

were sincere the last time we

“Yes, Justin.

situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words

have since

spoken in

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have been

with Sophia

is missing, you suddenly

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

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

your prerogative not

me some time to untangle my

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

like a

grasp the intricacies of relationships or

a concept of what

my

is an incredible person, and being around her

might have misled me into believing I

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

found her, my plan was

graduation week, and the

get that aspect of my life settled

her, to lay bare my feelings, but