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

reluctant to confide in

to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out on her

to rob her

team knows, and she is the only one that does not know, I believe it would be

was messy, but I prayed for wisdom to

I

turned their attention toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly

of recognition—people were

being the

was an anticipated

and the community there held a

compelled our return to this place cast a

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

my preference, but I

meagre offering of sandwiches and

tucked into a

with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned

concerning Sophia, I

why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about

Elaine was evident, and he was almost always by her

and Marvin were frequently seen with

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

like family,

his siblings

forged that friendship and alliance through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are

from not being able to stand each other

It

we find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How

showing her she matters, but we

why we’re

end this now before it escalates and jeopardises

if we encounter conflicts, they will

you’ve studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the

of treason to

was Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who resolved

you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that

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

this word had become linked to my

directed my gaze at my

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

my feelings for her are authentic,” I

sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?”

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have

words weren’t spoken

You meant them.

presence, and yet you

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have been upfront

with

you suddenly start spending time with

he pressed,

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

and it’s your prerogative not

me some time to untangle my

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

like

didn’t grasp the intricacies

had a concept of what they entailed, but

misinterpreted my infatuation

incredible person, and being around

into believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting

asking her out because I held out hope of meeting

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

and the

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

I intended to speak with her, to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had its