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 disclosing the truth

was reluctant to confide

tell Josephine anything; I wanted her

rob

on this team knows, and she is the only one that does not know, I

prayed

and I proceeded in

offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

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

that, despite being the Beta, I

was an anticipated

history within Grizlo was extensive, and the

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

cafeteria, Justin and I,

my preference, but I

of sandwiches and water hardly

a table tucked into a corner, we settled

with you,” Justin inquired calmly,

the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

others weren’t receiving similar

evident, and he was almost always by her side when

frequently seen with

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

like

siblings are like

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

from not being able to stand each other and never speaking to each

we can’t see it? It is

Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She

matters, but we

why we’re

that you end this now before it escalates and

conflicts,

history well, including the Volkovs and

Adrik of

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families

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

that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my

had become linked to my relationship

my head and directed my gaze at

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

for her are authentic,” I asserted, and

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

“Yes, Justin.

did say I would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my

circumstances have since

spoken in haste,

You meant them.

been a constant presence, and yet you

Oliver have been upfront about

were with

you

he pressed, causing me to shake my

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

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

to untangle my feelings

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

felt like a natural

didn’t grasp

concept of what they entailed, but I was

my infatuation

person, and being around her

believing I had deeper feelings,” I

or asking her out because I held out hope of meeting

plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen

and the notion of waiting didn’t

to get that aspect of my life

her, to lay bare