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

was reluctant to

I wanted her to

to rob

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

prayed for

I proceeded in

toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

of recognition—people were

that, despite being

it was an

Grizlo was extensive, and the community there held a deep

events that had compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow

cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some

exactly my preference, but I was prepared

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly

a corner, we settled into our

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

the matter concerning Sophia,

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

attachment to Elaine was evident, and he was almost

were frequently

a connection as well? “What is with you and

is like family,

his siblings

and alliance through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on

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

it? It

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

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

why we’re all in

now

encounter conflicts, they

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

accused Adrik of treason to

was Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and

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

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

become linked to my relationship with

head and directed

your concern, but you can trust that Josephine’s

intentions are sincere, and my feelings for her are authentic,”

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

“Yes, Justin.

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

have

weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet

and Oliver have

with

is missing, you suddenly start spending time

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

genuinely care for

I truly do.

understand if you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to believe

took me some time to untangle my feelings

opportunity to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity and the expectation of the next

like a

that point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies

had a concept of

my infatuation

incredible person, and being

I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed,

asking her out

hadn’t found her, my plan was

week, and the notion of waiting didn’t feel

a desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my life

bare my feelings, but