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

to confide

want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her

rob her of the

and she is the only one that does not

but I prayed for wisdom to get

I proceeded in

offering respectful greetings,

recognition—people were aware of our identities, mine

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

was

extensive, and the community

compelled our return to this place cast

stepped into the cafeteria, Justin and I,

my preference, but

and

for a table tucked into a corner, we

the reason I asked to speak with you,”

the matter concerning Sophia,

puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about their

he was almost always by her

frequently seen

form a connection as well? “What is with

is like family,

siblings are like family,

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

The both of you went from not being able to stand each

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

Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think

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

why we’re all

you end this now before it escalates and

we encounter conflicts, they will extend to

trust you’ve studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our great-great- grandfather,

falsely accused Adrik of treason to eliminate

his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov

create another problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that word ‘substitute’

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

how this word had become

and directed

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

for her are authentic,” I asserted, and he

time we discussed Sophia?”

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have

words weren’t spoken

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet you never

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about

were with Sophia

is missing, you suddenly start spending time

pressed, causing

care

I truly do.

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

some time to untangle

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

felt like a natural

didn’t grasp the intricacies of

a concept of

my

person, and

believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed,

this time, I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held out hope

her, my plan

something changed during graduation week, and the notion

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

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