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.

situation with Justin without disclosing the

reluctant to confide

tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find

not want to rob her of the feeling of

on this team knows, and she is the only one that does not

but I prayed for wisdom to get through

and I proceeded

us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

were aware of our identities,

despite being the Beta, I garnered

it was an anticipated

Grizlo was extensive, and the community

our return to this place cast a sombre shadow over the

Justin and I, purchasing

cuisine wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was prepared

sandwiches and water hardly

a table tucked into a corner, we settled into our

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

matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar

he was

and Marvin were frequently seen with

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

like family,

his siblings are like

through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss

from not being able to stand each other and never speaking to

we can’t see it? It is wrong to use

we find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will

matters,

why we’re

now

if we encounter conflicts,

and Stepanovs, especially

falsely accused Adrik of treason to

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families

us not create another problem because you were looking for

from Josephine in the morning,

had become

directed my gaze

concern, but you can trust

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

they were sincere the last time we

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have since

weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet

have been upfront about their

with Sophia

missing, you suddenly

people won’t notice?” he pressed, causing

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

it’s your prerogative

took me some time to untangle my

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

felt like a natural

that point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of

had a concept of what they entailed, but

misinterpreted my infatuation

an incredible person, and being around

misled me into believing I had deeper

her

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

the notion of

desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my

with her, to lay bare my feelings, but