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.

address the situation with

to confide

anything; I wanted her to find out

want to rob

is the only one that does not

but I prayed for wisdom

I proceeded

toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

was a consequence of recognition—people were aware of

being the

was an anticipated

was extensive, and the community there held

the events that had compelled our return to this

the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food upon

cuisine wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was prepared

sandwiches and water hardly constituted

a

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

Sophia, I hadn’t

me puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about

attachment to Elaine was evident, and he was almost

frequently seen with the

not allowed to form a connection as well? “What is

is like

his siblings are like

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

do you think is going on in her head? The both of you went from not being

think we can’t see it? It is wrong to

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

her she matters, but we both know that Sophia is your sole

we’re all

now before it escalates

me, if we encounter conflicts, they

studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the

falsely accused Adrik of treason to eliminate

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and

you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that word ‘substitute’ echoed

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

become linked to my relationship

head and directed my gaze at my

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

are authentic,” I asserted, and he let out a

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

“Yes, Justin.

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

have since

spoken in

You meant them.

been a constant presence,

and Oliver have

with Sophia

missing, you suddenly

he pressed, causing me to shake

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

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

me some time to

the opportunity to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for

like

that point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships or

concept of what they entailed, but I

misinterpreted my infatuation

incredible person, and being

me into believing I

or asking her out

her, my plan was

during graduation week, and the

things, to get that aspect of my life settled and

I intended to speak with her, to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had its own