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

reluctant to confide

I wanted her to find out on her

not want to rob

team knows, and she is the only one that does

messy, but I prayed for

and I proceeded

their attention toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

of recognition—people were aware

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

was

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

compelled our return to this place cast a sombre

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

preference, but I was

offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted a satisfying

tucked into a corner, we settled

the reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned a

matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

others

Elaine was evident, and he was almost

Marvin were frequently seen with

my situation treated differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and

like

Alexei and his siblings are

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

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

we can’t see it? It is wrong

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

matters, but we both know

why we’re all

that you end this now before

me, if we encounter conflicts,

studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our

Adrik of treason to

Eric, and ten

another problem because you were looking for a

that day—first from Josephine in the morning,

word had become linked to my

directed my gaze

trust that Josephine’s

for her are authentic,” I

the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I

“Yes, Justin.

arose,” I responded, knowing

have since

words weren’t spoken

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and

Oliver have been

were with

Sophia is missing, you

truly believe people won’t notice?” he pressed, causing

care

I truly do.

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

me some time to untangle my

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

felt like

grasp the intricacies of

concept of

my infatuation

and being around her

believing I

Sophia or asking her out because I held

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

during graduation week, and the notion

to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my life settled and move

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