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.

since I couldn’t address the situation with Justin without disclosing the

was reluctant to confide in Josephine

to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find

to rob her

is the only one that does not know, I believe it would

but I prayed for wisdom to get through

I

their attention toward us, offering respectful greetings,

a consequence of recognition—people were aware of our identities,

didn’t sit well with me that, despite being the Beta,

was an

and the community there

compelled our return to this place cast a sombre

the cafeteria, Justin and

exactly my preference, but I was prepared to make

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted a satisfying

a corner, we settled

I asked to speak with

concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

why others weren’t

evident, and he was almost always by her

Marvin were frequently

connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and I did not know how to

like

Alexei and his siblings are like family,

fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand

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

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

How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection for

do a convincing job of showing her she matters, but we both

we’re all in

that you end this now before it escalates and

encounter conflicts,

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

Adrik of treason to

and

another problem because you were looking for

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

this word had become linked to my relationship

shook my head and directed my gaze at my

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

her are authentic,” I asserted, and he

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

“Yes, Justin.

ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my lips

circumstances have

spoken

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet you never pursued

and Oliver have

with

is missing, you suddenly start spending time

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

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to believe

took me some time to untangle my

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

felt like a natural

point, I didn’t grasp

thought I had a concept of

misinterpreted my

is an incredible person, and being around her

I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting his

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

eighteen and still hadn’t found her, my plan

something changed during graduation week, and the notion of

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

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