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.

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

reluctant to confide

did not want to tell Josephine anything; I

want to rob her of the feeling

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

prayed

I proceeded in

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

of recognition—people were aware of our identities,

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

was an

was extensive, and the

events that had compelled our return to this place cast

into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food

preference, but I was prepared to make

and water

a table tucked into a corner, we settled

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

concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

to why others weren’t receiving

evident, and he was almost always by her side when

and Marvin were frequently seen with

well? “What is with

like

and his siblings are like family,

I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine for emotional support and

you went from not being able to stand each other and never speaking to

It is wrong to use people like

will happen when we find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection

showing her she matters, but we both know

we’re all in

end this now before it escalates and jeopardises our

me, if we encounter conflicts, they

including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our great-great- grandfather,

Adrik of treason

and

for a substitute,” he

from Josephine in the morning,

word had become linked to my relationship

directed my gaze at

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

feelings for her are authentic,” I asserted, and he

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

“Yes, Justin.

admit I did say I would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those

circumstances have

words weren’t spoken

You meant them.

constant presence, and

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about their

with Sophia

Sophia is missing, you

people won’t notice?” he pressed, causing me to shake my

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

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

to untangle my feelings concerning

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

like a

grasp

I had a concept of

misinterpreted my infatuation as

and being

into believing I had deeper

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

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

the notion of waiting didn’t feel

get that aspect of my

lay bare