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.

situation with Justin without disclosing

reluctant to confide in Josephine

tell Josephine anything; I wanted

not want to rob

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

prayed

and I proceeded in

attention toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly

recognition—people were aware of our identities, mine in

being the Beta, I garnered more

it was an anticipated

history within Grizlo was extensive, and the

contemplation of the events that had compelled our return to this place cast

into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food upon

but I

sandwiches and water hardly constituted

for a table tucked into a corner,

reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired

matter concerning Sophia,

to why others weren’t receiving similar

attachment to Elaine was evident, and he was almost always

were frequently

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

like family,

Alexei and his siblings are like

understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine for emotional support 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

think we can’t see it? It is wrong

Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How

her she matters, but

why we’re all in

you end this now before it escalates and

if we encounter conflicts,

and Stepanovs, especially the actions

of

Eric, and ten Stepanov families who resolved that

create another problem because you were looking for a substitute,”

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

pondered how this word had become linked

shook my head and directed

but you can trust that Josephine’s

my feelings for her are authentic,”

they were sincere the last time we discussed

“Yes, Justin.

if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my

have since

weren’t spoken

You meant them.

presence, and

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about

were with Sophia

missing, you

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

care for

I truly do.

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

some time to

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

felt like a natural

I didn’t grasp the intricacies of

thought I had a concept of what they entailed, but I

my infatuation

incredible person, and being

I had deeper feelings,”

this time, I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out

still hadn’t found her, my plan was

and the notion of waiting didn’t feel

get that aspect of my life settled and move

to lay bare my