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

to confide in

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

want to rob her of

team knows, and she is the only one

I prayed for wisdom to

I

us, offering

a consequence of recognition—people were aware of our identities, mine in

that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more reverence

it was

extensive, and the community there held a

contemplation of the events that had compelled our return

Justin and I, purchasing some

but I was prepared to make

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly

table tucked into a corner, we

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

the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t

others

he was almost

were frequently seen

connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and I did

like

his siblings are like family,

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

you think is going on in her head? The both of you went from

It is

find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think

of showing her she matters, but we

we’re all

end this now

conflicts, they will extend

well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our

accused Adrik of treason to

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who resolved

create another problem because you were looking for

thrice that day—first from Josephine in

had become linked to my

head and directed

I understand your concern, but you can trust that Josephine’s well-being

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

like how they were sincere the last time we discussed

“Yes, Justin.

the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my lips and had

circumstances have since

words weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

a constant presence, and

and Oliver have been upfront about their

were with Sophia

Sophia is missing, you suddenly start spending time

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

genuinely care

I truly do.

and it’s your prerogative not to believe

me some time to

but I believe my emotions for her were born out

felt like

I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

a concept of what they entailed, but I

misinterpreted my infatuation

is an incredible person, and being around her

believing I had

from pursuing Sophia or asking her

my plan was to

week, and the notion of waiting

get that

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