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

to

Josephine anything; I

did not want to rob

is the only one that does

was messy, but I prayed for

I proceeded

offering respectful greetings,

was a consequence of recognition—people were aware of

sit well with me that, despite being

it was an

Grizlo was extensive, and the community there held a deep affection for

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

into the cafeteria, Justin and I,

but I was prepared

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted a satisfying

a table tucked into a corner,

asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned a lack

the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

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

was evident, and he was almost always

and Marvin were frequently seen

form a connection as well? “What

is like family,

his siblings are like

forged that 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

from not being able to

think we can’t see it? It is wrong to

we find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact

matters, but we both know that Sophia is

why we’re all in

this now before it escalates and jeopardises

conflicts, they will extend

the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially

of

siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who

for a substitute,” he warned, and that word ‘substitute’ echoed

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

become

head and directed

you can trust that Josephine’s well-being is genuinely important

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

like how they were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I averted my

“Yes, Justin.

admit I did say I would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing

circumstances have since

weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

been a constant presence, and yet you

Oliver have been

with Sophia

that Sophia is missing, you suddenly

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

genuinely care

I truly do.

your prerogative not to

took me some time to

opportunity to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out

like a natural

that point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies

concept of what they entailed, but I

my

incredible person, and being around

misled me into believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting his

I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held out hope of meeting

plan was to wait until

during graduation week, and the notion of waiting

to get

her, to lay bare my feelings, but the universe