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

to confide in Josephine

Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out

rob her of the feeling of

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

prayed

and I proceeded

turned their attention toward us, offering

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

didn’t sit well with me that, despite being

was an

extensive, and the community there

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

Justin and

preference, but I was

of sandwiches and

a table tucked into a corner,

I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned a lack of

Sophia, I hadn’t committed

puzzled as to why others

evident, and he was almost always by her side when

frequently seen with

I not allowed to form a connection as well?

is like family,

his siblings are

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

her head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other

think we can’t see it? It is wrong to

will happen when we find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection for you; it’s evident in her

job of showing her she matters, but we both know that Sophia

we’re

is that you end this now before it escalates

we encounter conflicts, they will extend to

well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of

falsely accused Adrik of treason to eliminate

Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov

another problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and

that day—first from Josephine in the morning,

pondered how this word had become linked to my

directed my gaze

but you can trust that Josephine’s well-being is genuinely

are authentic,” I asserted, and he let

time we discussed Sophia?” he

“Yes, Justin.

arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my

circumstances have

weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

a constant presence,

Miles, and Oliver have been

were with Sophia

you suddenly start spending

pressed, causing me to shake my head in

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

if you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to believe me,

some time to untangle my

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

like a natural

I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships or

thought I had a concept of

my infatuation

an incredible person, and being around her

me into believing I had deeper

refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I

plan was to wait until

changed during graduation week, and the notion of waiting didn’t

desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my

lay bare