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.

situation with Justin without disclosing

was reluctant to confide

to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out on

rob her of

knows, and she is the only one that does

prayed for wisdom to get through

and I

us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed

consequence of recognition—people were

despite being

it was

extensive, and the

the contemplation of the events that had compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow over

into the cafeteria, Justin and I,

but I was prepared

of sandwiches and water hardly

a table tucked into a corner, we

aware of the reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin

beyond the matter concerning Sophia, I

me puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar

he was almost always by her

Marvin were frequently seen with the

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

like

Alexei and his siblings

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

of you went from not being able to

we can’t see it? It is wrong

How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection for you; it’s evident

she matters, but we both know that Sophia

we’re all in

advice is that you end this now before

encounter conflicts, they will extend to our

well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially

falsely accused Adrik of treason

Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov

for

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

word had become linked to

my head and directed my

you can trust that Josephine’s well-being

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

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

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have since

words weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

presence, and yet you never pursued

Oliver have been

were with

Sophia is missing, you suddenly start spending time with

he pressed, causing me to shake my head in

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

your prerogative not to

me some time to untangle my feelings concerning

believe my emotions for

felt like a natural

didn’t grasp

had a concept of what they entailed, but

my

and being around

have misled me into believing I had deeper feelings,” I

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

her, my plan was to wait until Sophia turned

something changed during graduation week, and the

to get that aspect of my life settled

bare my feelings, but the universe