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.

couldn’t address the situation with Justin without disclosing the

reluctant to

I

did not want to rob her of the feeling

she is the only one that

messy, but I prayed for wisdom to get

and I proceeded in

offering

were aware of our identities, mine in

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

it was an

was extensive, and the community there held a deep

return

the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some

exactly my preference, but I was

of sandwiches and water

a table tucked into a corner, we settled into

sure you’re aware of the reason I asked to speak with you,”

beyond the matter concerning Sophia, I

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

evident, and he was almost always

frequently

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

is like

Alexei and his siblings are

blood; 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 is

you think is going on in her head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other and never speaking

it? It is wrong to use people

seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine?

job of showing her she matters, but we both know that Sophia

why we’re all

this now before it

encounter conflicts, they will extend

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

accused Adrik of treason to

Eric, and ten Stepanov families who resolved that

us not create another problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he

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

word had become linked to my

shook my head and directed my gaze at my

trust that Josephine’s well-being is

sincere, and my feelings for her are authentic,” I

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

“Yes, Justin.

arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had

have since

weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have

were with

missing, you suddenly start spending time with

you truly believe people won’t notice?” he pressed,

care for

I truly do.

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

to untangle

believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity and the expectation of

like a

point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of

of

misinterpreted my infatuation as

and being around her

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

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

plan

during graduation week, and the notion of waiting didn’t

to get that aspect of my life

to lay bare my