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

was reluctant to confide in Josephine

did not want to tell Josephine anything; I

did not want to rob her of the feeling

only one that

prayed for wisdom to

I

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

of recognition—people were aware

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

was an anticipated

within Grizlo was extensive, and the community there held a deep

our return

into the cafeteria, Justin and I,

my preference, but I was

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted

into a corner, we settled into our

to speak with you,”

concerning Sophia, I

to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries

evident, and he was almost always by

frequently seen with the Corrigan

form a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?”

like family,

his siblings are

to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia

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

can’t see it? It

happen when we find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that

her she matters, but we

why we’re all in

that you end this now before it escalates and

if we encounter conflicts, they will extend to

well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs,

accused Adrik of

was Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten

not create another problem because you were looking for a

had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s home,

word had become

and directed my

understand your concern, but you can trust that Josephine’s well-being is genuinely important to

and my feelings for her are

the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I averted

“Yes, Justin.

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

have

weren’t spoken

You meant them.

been a constant presence, and yet you never pursued

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about their

were with

that Sophia is missing, you suddenly start spending

believe people won’t notice?” he pressed,

genuinely care for

I truly do.

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

took me some time to untangle my feelings concerning

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

felt like a natural

grasp the intricacies

of what they entailed, but I

misinterpreted my infatuation

person, and being around

I had deeper feelings,” I

I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because

still hadn’t found her, my plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen before making any

the notion of waiting didn’t feel

to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my life settled

bare my feelings, but the universe had