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.

address the situation with Justin without disclosing the truth

was reluctant to confide in Josephine

tell Josephine anything; I

did not want to rob her

only one that does not know, I believe it

prayed for wisdom

I proceeded

us, offering respectful greetings,

consequence of recognition—people were aware of

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

it was

within Grizlo was extensive, and the community there

that had compelled our return to this place cast a

and

preference, but I was prepared

and water

for a table tucked into a corner, we settled

to speak with you,”

Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

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

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

frequently seen

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

like family,

his siblings are like

understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying

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

we can’t see it? It is

How do you think that will impact Josephine? She

her she matters, but we both

why we’re all in

now before

if we encounter conflicts, they will extend to

the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our great-great-

accused Adrik of treason

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families

another problem because you were looking for a substitute,”

Josephine in the

word had become linked to

shook my head and directed my gaze at

your concern, but you can trust that

her are

were sincere the last time we discussed

“Yes, Justin.

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 since

words weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

a constant presence, and

Oliver have been upfront

with Sophia

you suddenly start spending time with

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

genuinely care for

I truly do.

your prerogative not to

took me some time to untangle my feelings concerning

sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her

like a

grasp the intricacies

concept of what they entailed, but

my infatuation

an incredible person, and being

believing I had deeper feelings,” I

her out

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

during graduation week, and the

accelerate things, to get that aspect of

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