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.

situation with Justin without disclosing the truth

reluctant to

not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out

want to rob her

team knows, and she is the only one that

I prayed for

and I proceeded

attention toward us, offering

recognition—people were aware of our

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

was an anticipated

and the community there held

the events that had compelled our return

stepped into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food

preference, but I was prepared to

sandwiches and water hardly constituted a

for a table tucked into a corner,

you’re aware of the reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and

the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar

Elaine was evident, and he was almost always by her

and Marvin were frequently seen with the Corrigan

connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and I

is like

and his siblings are

to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine for emotional support and bandage is

her head? The both of you went from not being able to

it? It is wrong to

revert seamlessly? How do

her she matters, but we both know that Sophia is your

we’re all in

that you end this now before it escalates

me, if we encounter conflicts, they will extend to our

including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of

falsely accused Adrik of

his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who

create another problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and

surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then

pondered how this word had become linked to

my head and directed my gaze at

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

and my feelings for her are authentic,” I

last time we discussed Sophia?”

“Yes, Justin.

would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that

circumstances have since

words weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet

Miles, and Oliver have been

with

missing, you suddenly start spending time

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

genuinely care for

I truly do.

and it’s your prerogative not

some time to untangle my feelings concerning

had the opportunity to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity and the expectation of the next logical

like

I didn’t grasp

thought I had a concept of what

my infatuation as

person, and being around her was

I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting his

pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held out hope

hadn’t found her, my plan was to wait until Sophia

and the notion of waiting didn’t feel

to accelerate things, to get that aspect

her, to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had its own