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.

couldn’t address the situation with Justin without

reluctant to confide

not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her

rob her of the

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

I prayed for wisdom to get through

I proceeded in

offering respectful greetings,

consequence of recognition—people were aware

didn’t sit well with me that, despite being

it was an anticipated

the community there held

our return to this place cast a sombre shadow over

Justin and I, purchasing some food

preference, but I was prepared

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly

a table tucked into a corner, we settled into

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

the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

me puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving

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

frequently seen with the

well? “What is with you and

is like

and his siblings are like family,

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

do you think is going on in her head? The both of you went from not being able

we can’t see it? It is

Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do

job of showing her she matters, but

we’re

end this now before

conflicts, they

trust you’ve studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our

of treason to

siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families

you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and

from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s home,

had become linked to my relationship

and directed my gaze at

you can trust that Josephine’s well-being is

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

were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he

“Yes, Justin.

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

You meant them.

presence,

Oliver have

with Sophia

you suddenly start spending time

won’t notice?” he pressed, causing me to

care for

I truly do.

your prerogative not

me some time to untangle my feelings

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

like a

point, I didn’t grasp

a concept of what they entailed, but I

my

an incredible person, and

me into believing I had deeper

her out because I held

plan

week, and the

a desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my life

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