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 disclosing

to confide

to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to

want to rob her of the feeling of

the only one that does not know, I believe

but I prayed for wisdom to get

and I

their attention toward us, offering

consequence of recognition—people were

me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more reverence than

it was an

the community

compelled our return to this

into the cafeteria, Justin and

my preference, but I was

and water hardly constituted a

a corner, we settled into our

of the reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned a

the matter concerning Sophia,

me puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about

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

and Marvin were frequently seen with

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

is like family,

and his siblings

understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine for emotional support and bandage is

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

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

Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection for you; it’s evident

her she matters, but we both know that Sophia is your sole

why we’re all

end this now before it escalates and jeopardises

encounter conflicts,

well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs,

falsely accused Adrik of treason to eliminate

and ten Stepanov

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

term ‘substitute’ had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning,

become linked to my

and directed my gaze at

you can trust that Josephine’s

for her are authentic,” I asserted, and he

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

“Yes, Justin.

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

have

words weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

been a constant presence, and yet you never pursued

Miles, and Oliver have

were with

that Sophia is missing, you

won’t notice?” he pressed, causing me

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative

me some time to

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

like a

that point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

thought I had a concept of what they entailed,

misinterpreted my infatuation as

an incredible person, and being

I had deeper feelings,”

her out because I held out hope of meeting my

and still hadn’t found her, my plan was to wait until Sophia turned

something changed during graduation week, and the notion of waiting

desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of

to lay bare my