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 about

to confide in

not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted

to rob her of the feeling

only one

prayed for wisdom

I

toward us, offering

were aware of

didn’t sit well with me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more reverence than

was

the community there

return to this place cast

the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food upon

preference, but

of sandwiches and water hardly constituted a

a corner, we settled into

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

beyond the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

others

and he was almost

were frequently

treated differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and I did not

is like family,

siblings

blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting

from not being able to stand each other and never speaking to each other to

think we can’t see it? It is wrong

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

showing her she matters, but we both know that

we’re all

advice is that you end this now before it escalates and jeopardises our

we encounter conflicts, they will extend to

history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs,

Adrik of treason to

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families

problem because you were looking for a

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

pondered how this word had become linked to my

my head and directed my gaze at my

but you can trust that Josephine’s well-being

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

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

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have since

spoken in

You meant them.

been a constant presence, and yet you never pursued

have

with Sophia

is missing, you suddenly start spending

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

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

your prerogative not to believe me, but I’m

me some time to untangle

opportunity to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out

like a

grasp the intricacies of

a concept of what they entailed, but I was

misinterpreted my infatuation

an incredible person, and

believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed,

time, I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out

found her, my plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen

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

desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my life settled and

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