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.

couldn’t address the situation with

was reluctant to confide in

to tell Josephine anything; I wanted

to rob

on this team knows, and she is the only one

but I prayed for wisdom to get through

I

toward us, offering

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

despite being the Beta, I garnered more

was an

Grizlo was extensive, and the community there held a deep affection

events that had compelled our return to this place cast

Justin and I,

exactly my preference, but I was

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted

a

reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned

Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

to why others weren’t

and he was almost always by her side when she was

Marvin were frequently

why was my situation treated differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well?

like family,

and his siblings are like family,

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

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

it? It is

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

do a convincing job of showing her she matters, but we both know that Sophia is your sole

why we’re all in

end this now

we encounter conflicts, they will extend

well, including the Volkovs and

falsely accused Adrik of treason to

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten

not create another problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned,

surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the

word had become linked to

directed my gaze at

you can trust

are authentic,” I

how they were sincere the last time we discussed

“Yes, Justin.

would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my lips and had crossed my

have

words weren’t spoken

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet you never pursued

Miles, and Oliver have been

were with Sophia

Sophia is missing, you suddenly start spending

he pressed, causing me

care

I truly do.

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

me some time to

I believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity

felt like a

that point, I didn’t grasp

thought I had a concept of what they

my infatuation

person, and being

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

refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held out hope

plan was to wait

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

things, to get that aspect

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