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

was reluctant to confide in Josephine

want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find

did not want to rob her

the only

I prayed for wisdom to get

I proceeded in

their attention toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly

was a consequence of recognition—people were aware

me that, despite being

was an

within Grizlo was extensive, and the

our return to this place cast a sombre shadow over the

the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing

preference, but I was prepared to

sandwiches and water hardly constituted

for a table tucked into a corner, we settled into

speak with you,”

beyond the matter concerning Sophia, I

to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about their

Elaine was evident, and he was

and Marvin were frequently seen with

a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and

like family,

and his siblings are like

act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine for emotional support and

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

think we can’t see it? It is wrong

you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you

of showing her she matters, but we both know

why we’re all in

that you end this now before it

we encounter conflicts,

well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially

falsely accused Adrik of treason to eliminate

his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who resolved that

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

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

word had become linked to my

directed my

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

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

the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and

“Yes, Justin.

ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my

circumstances have since

weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet you never pursued

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about

were with

that Sophia is missing, you suddenly start spending time

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

genuinely care

I truly do.

and it’s your prerogative not to believe

time to untangle my

I believe my emotions for her were born

felt like a natural

point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of

thought I had a concept of what they entailed,

misinterpreted my infatuation as

incredible person, and being around her

I had deeper

asking her out

hadn’t found her, my plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen before making

the notion of waiting didn’t feel

a desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my life settled and move

speak with her, to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had its