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.

since I couldn’t address the situation with Justin without disclosing the

was reluctant to confide

anything; I wanted her to find out

not want to rob her of

this team knows, and she is the only one that does not know, I believe it

messy, but I prayed for wisdom to get

and I proceeded in

their attention toward us, offering

were aware of our identities,

with me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered

was an

was extensive, and the

had compelled our return to this place cast a sombre

stepped into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food

preference, but I was prepared to make

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly

into a corner, we settled into

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

Sophia, I hadn’t

to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about their

was

Marvin were frequently seen with the

to form a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked,

is like

and his siblings are like

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

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

It is wrong to

happen when we find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds

convincing job of showing her she matters, but we both know that

why we’re

now

if we encounter conflicts, they

history well, including the Volkovs and

accused Adrik of treason to eliminate

was Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who resolved that

were looking for

had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah

word had become linked to my

head and directed my gaze at my

understand your concern, but you can trust that

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

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

“Yes, Justin.

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

have since

weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

a constant presence, and yet you never

and Oliver have been upfront

with Sophia

Sophia is missing, you

won’t notice?” he pressed, causing me to shake

genuinely care

I truly do.

it’s your prerogative not to believe me, but

me some time to untangle my feelings

never had the opportunity to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for

felt like a natural

point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of

thought I had a concept of what

misinterpreted my infatuation as

and being

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

asking her out because I held out

my plan was to wait until Sophia turned

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

accelerate things, to get that aspect

intended to speak with her, to lay bare my feelings, but