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.

I couldn’t address the situation

reluctant to confide

Josephine anything; I wanted her to

to rob her of the feeling of

and she is the only one that does not know, I believe it

prayed for wisdom to get through

and I

their attention toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

recognition—people were aware

that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more reverence

it was

was extensive, and the community

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

into the cafeteria, Justin and

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

and

for a table tucked into a corner, we settled into

with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned a

concerning Sophia, I hadn’t

left me puzzled as to why others

evident, and he was almost always by her

were frequently

I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What

is like family,

Alexei and his siblings are

friendship and alliance through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine for emotional support and bandage is

is going on in her head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other and

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

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

why we’re all in

is that you end this now before it escalates

conflicts, they will extend to

including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the

Adrik of treason to

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov

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

in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s home, and now

become linked to my relationship with

directed

can trust

for her are authentic,” I asserted, and

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

“Yes, Justin.

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

have

words weren’t spoken

You meant them.

constant presence,

have been upfront about their

were with

you suddenly start spending

pressed, causing me to

care for

I truly do.

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

time to untangle my feelings

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

felt like a

that point, I didn’t grasp the

of what they entailed, but

misinterpreted my

is an incredible person, and being

me into believing I had

this time, I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out

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

changed during graduation week, and the notion of

a desire to accelerate things, to get

to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had its own