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.

I couldn’t address the situation with Justin without disclosing the

reluctant to confide

did not want to tell Josephine anything; I

want to rob her of the feeling

is the only

but I prayed for

and I proceeded in

offering respectful greetings, particularly directed

of recognition—people were

despite being the Beta, I garnered

was

was extensive, and the community there held

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

the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some

exactly my preference, but

sandwiches and

a table tucked into a

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

the matter concerning Sophia, I

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

was almost always by her side

and Marvin were frequently seen with the

form a connection as well? “What

like family,

siblings

why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine for emotional support

head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other and never speaking to each other to

think we can’t see it? It is wrong to use people

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

a convincing job of showing her she matters, but

we’re

that you end this now before it escalates

we encounter conflicts,

well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of

Adrik of treason to

Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who resolved

problem because you were looking for

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

pondered how this word had become linked to my relationship with

head and directed my gaze at

can trust that Josephine’s well-being is genuinely important

feelings for her are authentic,” I asserted, and he

last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I averted

“Yes, Justin.

if the situation ever arose,” I responded,

have

words weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

a constant presence, and yet

Oliver have been upfront

were with Sophia

you suddenly start spending time

won’t notice?” he pressed,

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to believe me,

took me some time to untangle my

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

like

that point, I didn’t grasp

thought I had a concept of what they entailed,

misinterpreted my infatuation

an incredible person, and being around her was

I

her out because I held out hope

my plan was to

something changed during graduation week, and the

a desire to accelerate things, to get that

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