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

reluctant to confide

to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out

want to rob her of the feeling of

the only one that

but I prayed

and I proceeded

attention toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

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

me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more

was an anticipated

was extensive, and the community there held a

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

into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food

cuisine wasn’t exactly my preference, but I

meagre offering of sandwiches and water

tucked into a corner, we settled

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

concerning Sophia, I hadn’t

to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries

to Elaine was evident, and he was almost always by her side when she

frequently seen with

differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What is

like

siblings

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

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

it? It is wrong to use

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

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

why we’re all

that you end this now before

if we encounter conflicts, they will

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

of treason to eliminate

and

looking for

‘substitute’ had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s home, and now

how this word had become linked to my relationship with

shook my head and directed my gaze at my

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

for her are authentic,” I

we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I averted my

“Yes, Justin.

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

have since

spoken in haste,

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet

Oliver have been upfront

were with Sophia

that Sophia is missing, you suddenly start spending time with

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

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

it’s your prerogative not

time to untangle my

never had the opportunity to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity and the expectation of the

like

grasp

thought I had a concept of what they entailed,

my infatuation

an incredible person, and being

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

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

hadn’t found her, my plan was to

week, and the notion of waiting

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

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