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

to confide in Josephine

I wanted her to

to rob her of

she is the only one that does not

messy, but I prayed for wisdom to get

I proceeded

their attention toward us, offering respectful greetings,

were aware of our identities, mine

didn’t sit well with me that, despite being

it was an

within Grizlo was extensive, and the community

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

stepped into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing

preference, but I

and water hardly constituted a satisfying

tucked into a corner, we

speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and

beyond the matter concerning Sophia,

puzzled as to why others

was almost always by her side when

frequently seen

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

is like

Alexei and his siblings are like family,

understand you are hurting and miss Sophia

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

it? It is wrong to use people like

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

do a convincing job of showing her she matters, but we both know that

why we’re all in

you end this now before

we encounter conflicts, they will extend to

studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs,

accused Adrik of treason to eliminate

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

because you were looking 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,

had become

shook my head and directed

I understand your concern, but you can trust that

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

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

“Yes, Justin.

I would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my lips

circumstances have since

weren’t spoken

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet you

Oliver have been upfront about

with

you suddenly start spending

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

care for

I truly do.

you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to believe me, but I’m speaking

some time to untangle my

never had the opportunity to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity

like

that point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of

concept of what they entailed, but I

misinterpreted my infatuation as

and being

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

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

found her, my plan was to wait

week, and the notion of waiting didn’t feel

desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my life

bare my