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.

address the situation with Justin without disclosing the truth

to confide

anything; I wanted her to find out on her

to rob her of the feeling

the only one that

messy, but I prayed for wisdom to get through

and I

turned their attention toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly

consequence of recognition—people were aware

being the Beta,

it was an

within Grizlo was extensive, and the community there held

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

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

cuisine wasn’t exactly my preference, but

offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted a satisfying

for a table tucked into a corner, we

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

the matter concerning Sophia, I

as to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries

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

were frequently seen with the

not allowed to form a connection as well? “What

is like

and his siblings

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

head? The both of you went from not being able to

see it? It is

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

do a convincing job of showing her she matters, but we both know that Sophia is

we’re all

advice is that you end this now before it escalates

me, if we encounter conflicts,

well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially

falsely accused Adrik of treason to

siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who resolved that

for a substitute,”

that day—first from Josephine in

how this word had become linked to my relationship

directed

but you can trust that Josephine’s well-being

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

were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I averted my

“Yes, Justin.

I would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing

circumstances have since

weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet you

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have been

with

Sophia is missing, you suddenly start spending time

pressed, causing me to shake my head in

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

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

to

but I believe my emotions for

felt like a natural

I didn’t grasp the

a concept of what they entailed, but I was

misinterpreted my

incredible person, and being around her

I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting his

her out because I held out

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

week, and the notion of waiting didn’t feel right

things, to get that

I intended to speak with her, to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had its