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

was reluctant to confide in Josephine

to tell Josephine anything; I

to rob

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

was messy, but I prayed for

I proceeded

us, offering respectful greetings, particularly

were

with me that, despite being the Beta, I

was an

was extensive, and the community

return to

into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing

exactly my preference, but I was

sandwiches and water hardly

tucked into a corner, we settled into

speak with you,” Justin inquired

beyond the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

others weren’t receiving

was

were frequently seen with the Corrigan

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

is like

and his siblings are like family,

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

her head? The both of you went from

think we can’t see it? It is wrong to

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

matters, but we both know that Sophia is your

we’re all

that you end this now before it escalates and

if we encounter conflicts, they will extend

studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our great-great-

falsely accused Adrik of treason

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov

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

that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah

had become linked to my relationship with

shook my head and directed my gaze at

can trust that Josephine’s well-being is

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

we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I

“Yes, Justin.

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

have

weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

a constant presence,

Oliver have been upfront

with Sophia

missing, you suddenly start spending time

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

genuinely care

I truly do.

have doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to

to untangle my feelings

my emotions for her were born out of familiarity and

felt like a natural

I didn’t grasp

concept of what

my infatuation as

and being around

believing I

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

still hadn’t found her, my plan was to

and the notion

accelerate things, to get

intended to speak with her, to lay bare my feelings, but