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.

the situation with Justin without disclosing the truth about

to confide in

Josephine anything; I

not want to rob

everyone on this team knows, and she is the only one

prayed for

and I proceeded

us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed

was a consequence of recognition—people were aware of

that, despite being the Beta, I

it was an anticipated

and the community there held

compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow

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

but I was prepared

offering of sandwiches and water hardly

for a table tucked into a corner, we settled

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

Sophia, I hadn’t

others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about their

Elaine was evident, and he was almost always by

frequently seen with the

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

like family,

his siblings

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

head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other and never

can’t see it? It is

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

job of showing her she matters, but we both

why we’re all in

end this now before it escalates

encounter conflicts, they will extend to

you’ve studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our great-great- grandfather,

Adrik of treason to eliminate

Eric, and ten Stepanov families who resolved

for

day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at

how this word had become linked to my relationship with

head and directed my

can trust that

feelings for her are

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

“Yes, Justin.

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

have

spoken in

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet you never

and Oliver have

were with Sophia

you suddenly start spending time

he pressed, causing

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

your prerogative not

me some time to untangle

for her were born out of familiarity and the expectation of the

felt like a

that point, I didn’t grasp the

I had a concept of what they entailed, but I was

my infatuation

an incredible person, and being around her

me into believing I had deeper feelings,”

or asking her out because I held out hope of meeting

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

something changed during graduation week, and the notion of

desire to accelerate things, to get

her, to lay bare