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.

was inevitable since I couldn’t address the situation with Justin without

to confide in

want to tell Josephine anything; I

rob

she is the only one that does not know, I

but I prayed for wisdom to

I proceeded in

attention toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed

of recognition—people were aware of

me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered

was an anticipated

and the community there held a deep affection

contemplation of the events that had compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow

the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food

preference, but I

of sandwiches and water hardly constituted

into a corner, we settled

to speak with

the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

others weren’t

he was almost always by

frequently seen with

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

is like

siblings are like

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

do you think is going on in her head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other and never speaking to each other

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

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

of showing her she matters,

why we’re

end this now before

conflicts, they will

including the Volkovs and

accused Adrik of treason

and

problem because you were looking for a substitute,”

from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s home, and now

this word had become linked to my relationship with

head and directed

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

my feelings for her are authentic,”

like how they were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?”

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have

weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

presence, and yet you never

and Oliver have

were with

is missing, you suddenly start spending time

pressed, causing me to shake

genuinely care for

I truly do.

understand if you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative

some time to untangle my

for her were born out of familiarity and the expectation of

like

that point, I didn’t grasp the

concept of

misinterpreted my infatuation as

person, and

might have misled me into believing I had deeper feelings,”

I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out

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

graduation week, and the

things, to get that aspect of my life settled

intended to speak with her, to lay bare my feelings, but