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

was reluctant to confide in Josephine

not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to

want to rob her of

she is the only one that does not know, I

prayed for wisdom to get through

I

offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

of recognition—people were

me that, despite being the

was an anticipated

was extensive, and the

had compelled our return to this place cast

Justin and

but I was prepared to make

offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted

table tucked into a corner, we settled into

speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I

matter concerning Sophia,

others weren’t

he was almost always by her

Marvin were frequently seen with the

allowed to form a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and I did not know how

like family,

Alexei and his siblings are

irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia

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

see it? It is wrong to use people like

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

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

we’re

that you end this now before it

encounter conflicts, they will extend

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

accused Adrik of treason to eliminate

was Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and

were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and

that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s home,

had become linked to my relationship with

my head and directed my

your concern, but you can trust that Josephine’s well-being is genuinely important to

are sincere, and my feelings for her are authentic,” I asserted, and he let out a

how they were sincere the last time we discussed

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have

weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

has been a constant presence,

have

were with

is missing, you suddenly start spending time with

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

genuinely care for

I truly do.

doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to believe me, but I’m speaking

to untangle

I believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity

felt like a natural

didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships or

of what they

my infatuation

is an incredible person, and being

I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed,

this time, I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held out

my plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen before making any

graduation week, and the notion of waiting didn’t feel right

things, to get

speak with her, to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had