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.

address the situation with Justin without disclosing the truth

was reluctant to

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

rob her of the

this team knows, and she is the only one that

was messy, but I prayed for wisdom to get through

and I

their attention toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly

of recognition—people were

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

was an

history within Grizlo was extensive, and the community there held a deep affection for

return to this place cast a sombre shadow

the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food upon

wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was prepared

of sandwiches and water hardly

a table tucked into a corner,

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

matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

left me puzzled as to why others weren’t

he was almost always by

and Marvin were frequently

I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What

like

Alexei and his siblings are like

blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine for

both of you went from not being able to stand each other and

it? It is wrong to use people

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

her she matters, but we

we’re all in

advice is that you end this now before

we encounter conflicts, they will extend

history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the

accused Adrik of treason

and ten Stepanov families who resolved that

for a substitute,” he

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

become linked to

and directed my

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

and my feelings for her are

we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I averted

“Yes, Justin.

if the situation ever arose,” I responded,

have since

words weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

been a constant presence, and

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have

were with Sophia

Sophia is missing, you suddenly

he pressed, causing

care for

I truly do.

prerogative not to believe me, but I’m

time to untangle my feelings

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 a natural

point, I didn’t grasp the

a concept of what

misinterpreted my infatuation as

an incredible person, and being around her

I had deeper feelings,” I

refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her

found her, my plan was to wait until Sophia turned

changed during graduation week, and the

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

to lay bare my feelings, but the universe