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

was reluctant to

I wanted her to find out on

did not want to rob

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

but I prayed for wisdom

I proceeded in

toward us, offering

was a consequence of recognition—people were

me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more reverence than

it was

and the community there held a deep affection

our return to this place cast a

cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food

exactly my preference, but I was

offering of sandwiches and water

for a table tucked into a corner, we settled into

asked to speak with you,” Justin

beyond the matter concerning Sophia,

to why others weren’t receiving similar

to Elaine was evident, and he was almost always by

frequently seen with the

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

like

Alexei and his siblings are

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

head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other and never speaking

think we can’t see it? It is wrong to use people

when we find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds

showing her she matters, but we both know

why we’re all

is that you end this now before

we encounter conflicts, they

including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the

Adrik of treason to

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

looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that word ‘substitute’ echoed once

term ‘substitute’ had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then

pondered how this word had become

directed my

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

feelings for her are authentic,” I asserted, and he

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

“Yes, Justin.

arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had

have

words weren’t spoken

You meant them.

presence, and

have been upfront about their

were with

you

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

care for

I truly do.

understand if you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to believe

some time to untangle

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

like a

that point, I didn’t grasp the

I had a concept of what they

my infatuation

is an incredible person, and being around

have misled me into believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting

I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because

reached eighteen and still hadn’t found her, my plan was to wait

during graduation week, and the notion of waiting

to get that aspect of my life settled and

bare my feelings, but the universe