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 Justin without disclosing the

to confide in Josephine

want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out

rob her

this team knows, and she is the only

I prayed

and I proceeded in

toward us, offering

a consequence of recognition—people were aware of

me that, despite being the Beta,

it was an

the community there held a

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

Justin and I, purchasing some

cuisine wasn’t exactly my preference, but I

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly

table tucked into a corner, we settled into our

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

beyond the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

why others weren’t receiving

to Elaine was evident, and he was almost

were frequently seen with

form a connection as well? “What is with you

is like

and his siblings

friendship and alliance through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and

do you think is going on in her head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other and never speaking to each other to

see it? It

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

of showing her she matters, but we both know that

we’re all in

this now before it escalates and jeopardises our

me, if we encounter conflicts, they will

the Volkovs and

of treason to eliminate

Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov

were looking for

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

pondered how this word had become linked

head and directed

but you can trust that Josephine’s well-being is

are authentic,” I asserted,

were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?”

“Yes, Justin.

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

have

spoken

You meant them.

a constant presence, and yet you never pursued

and Oliver have been

with

is missing, you suddenly

he pressed, causing me to shake my

genuinely care for

I truly do.

your prerogative not to believe me, but I’m speaking

took me some time to untangle my feelings

for her were born out of familiarity and

like

didn’t grasp

I had a concept of what they entailed, but

my infatuation

an incredible person, and being around

have misled me into believing I had deeper

asking her out because I held out

hadn’t found her, my plan was to wait until Sophia

week, and the notion of waiting didn’t feel

get that aspect of my life settled and move

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