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.

inevitable since I couldn’t address the situation

reluctant to confide

to tell Josephine anything; I

did not want to rob her of

on this team knows, and she is the only one that does

prayed for

and I proceeded

offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

were aware

that, despite being the Beta, I

it was an

and the community there held a

had compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow

cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing

wasn’t exactly my preference, but I

of sandwiches and water hardly constituted

tucked into a corner, we settled into

asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned a lack

the matter concerning Sophia,

puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries

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

were frequently seen

my situation treated differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?”

like

and his siblings are like

would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are

you think is going on in her head? The both of you went from

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

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

she matters, but we both know that

why we’re all in

this now before it escalates and

if we encounter conflicts, they will extend

and Stepanovs, especially the actions

Adrik of

and ten Stepanov

another problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that word ‘substitute’

Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s

word had become linked

shook my head and directed my gaze at my

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

her are

time we

“Yes, Justin.

admit I did say I would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded,

circumstances have

weren’t spoken

You meant them.

presence, and yet

have been upfront

were with

is missing, you suddenly start spending

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

care

I truly do.

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

some time to untangle my

believe my emotions for

like a natural

grasp the intricacies of relationships or

had a concept of what they entailed, but I

my

person, and

I had deeper feelings,”

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

found her, my plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen before making any

and the notion of

had a desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect

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