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 disclosing the truth

reluctant to confide in Josephine

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

want to rob her of the feeling

she is the only one that does not know, I believe it

was messy, but I prayed for wisdom to

I proceeded in

offering respectful greetings, particularly directed

of recognition—people were aware of our identities,

well with me that, despite being

was an anticipated

and the community there

had compelled our return to this place cast

Justin and I,

but I was prepared to make

and water hardly

tucked into a corner, we settled

with you,” Justin inquired

matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

left me puzzled as to why others weren’t

he was almost always by her side when she

frequently seen with the

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

like family,

siblings are like

that friendship and alliance through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss

her head? The both of you went from not being able to

we can’t see it? It is wrong

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

she matters, but we

we’re all in

now before it escalates and jeopardises our

me, if we encounter conflicts, they

and

falsely accused Adrik of treason to

his siblings, Eric, and ten

for a substitute,” he

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

word had become linked to my relationship

my head and directed

concern, but you can trust that Josephine’s

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

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

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have since

spoken in haste,

You meant them.

been a constant presence, and yet you never

and Oliver have been

were with

that Sophia is missing, you suddenly start

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

care

I truly do.

your prerogative not to

took me some time to

sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born

felt like a natural

didn’t grasp the

had a concept of what they entailed, but

my

person, and being around

into believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting his

asking her out

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

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

a desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of

to speak with her, to lay bare my feelings,