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.

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

was reluctant to confide in Josephine

anything; I wanted her

rob

on this team knows, and she is the only one

but I prayed for wisdom to get

I proceeded in

us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

recognition—people were aware of our

being the

it was

Grizlo was extensive, and the community there

our return to this place cast a sombre shadow over

into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing

my preference, but

offering of sandwiches and

table tucked into a

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

concerning Sophia, I

why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries

was evident, and he was almost

were frequently seen with

treated differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and I did

is like family,

siblings are

alliance through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine for emotional support and bandage is

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

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

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

of showing her she matters, but

why we’re

that you end this now before

we encounter conflicts, they will

and Stepanovs, especially the

falsely accused Adrik of treason to

Eric, and

were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and

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

word had become linked to

my head and directed my gaze at

understand your concern, but you can trust that Josephine’s

her are authentic,” I asserted, and he let

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

“Yes, Justin.

did say I would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those

have since

spoken

You meant them.

constant presence, and

and Oliver have

were with

you suddenly start spending time with

won’t notice?” he pressed,

genuinely care

I truly do.

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

time to untangle

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

felt like

I didn’t grasp the intricacies

a concept of what they entailed, but I

misinterpreted my infatuation as

is an incredible person, and being around

have misled me into believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting

from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held out hope of meeting

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

the notion of waiting didn’t

a desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect

speak with her, to lay bare my feelings, but