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

to confide in Josephine

did not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her

not want to rob her of the

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

prayed

I

offering

were aware of our identities,

didn’t sit well with me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more

was

and the community there held a deep affection

events that had compelled our return to this place cast

cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food

preference, but

meagre offering of sandwiches and

into a corner, we settled

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

beyond the matter concerning Sophia,

why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about their

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

frequently

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

like family,

and his siblings are

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

of you went from not being able to stand each other

It is wrong

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

convincing job of showing her she matters, but we both

why we’re all

that you end this now before it escalates

me, if we encounter conflicts, they will

you’ve studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our great-great- grandfather,

falsely accused Adrik of

siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who resolved that

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

had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the

become linked to my relationship with

head and directed my

concern, but you can trust that

are authentic,” I asserted, and he let out

sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned,

“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

have

spoken

You meant them.

a constant presence, and yet you

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about

with

Sophia is missing, you suddenly start spending

people won’t notice?” he pressed, causing

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

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

took me some time to untangle my feelings

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

like

didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships or

I had a concept of what they

my infatuation

person, and being around her

into believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting

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

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

changed during graduation week, and the notion of

get that aspect

lay bare my feelings, but the universe had