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

reluctant to confide in Josephine

Josephine anything; I wanted her

want to rob her of

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

messy, but I prayed for wisdom

I proceeded

us, offering

consequence of recognition—people were aware of our

sit well with me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more

was

Grizlo was extensive, and the community there held

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

into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing

my preference, but I

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted

for a table tucked into a corner, we settled

reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin

matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

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

he was almost always by her side

and Marvin were frequently seen

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

like

his siblings are like family,

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

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

see it? It is wrong to use people like

expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds

her she matters, but we both

we’re all

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

we encounter conflicts, they will extend to

well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the

of treason to

his siblings, Eric, and

looking for

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

word had become linked to my relationship with

my head and directed my gaze

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

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

last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and

“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 since

weren’t spoken

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet you never

have been upfront

were with Sophia

is missing, you suddenly start

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

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

have doubts, and it’s your prerogative

time to

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

like a natural

grasp

thought I had a concept of what they entailed, but

misinterpreted my

an incredible person, and being around her

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

or asking her out because I held out hope of

I reached eighteen and still hadn’t found her, my plan was

something changed during graduation week, and the

things, to get that aspect of my

bare my feelings, but the