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 the truth

to confide

want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted

not want to rob her of

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

messy, but I prayed for

and I proceeded

toward us, offering

a consequence of recognition—people were aware of our identities, mine

well with me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more reverence than

it was an anticipated

was extensive, and the community there held

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

the cafeteria, Justin and I,

but I

and

a table tucked into a corner, we settled

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

matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

as to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about

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

were frequently seen with the Corrigan

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

like family,

siblings are like family,

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

you think is going on in her head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other and

we can’t see it? It is wrong to

Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How

her she matters, but we both know that Sophia is your

why we’re all

this now before

conflicts, they will

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

of treason to eliminate

and ten Stepanov

for a substitute,” he warned, and that word ‘substitute’ echoed once

had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s home, and

become linked

shook my head and directed my

your concern, but you can trust that Josephine’s well-being is

intentions are sincere, and my feelings for her are authentic,” I asserted,

were sincere the last time we discussed

“Yes, Justin.

did say I would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my lips

have

weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet you

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about their

were with Sophia

missing, you

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

genuinely care for

I truly do.

have doubts, and it’s your prerogative

me some time to untangle my feelings

I believe my emotions for her were born out of

felt like a

point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of

a concept of what they entailed,

misinterpreted my

and being around

misled me into believing I had deeper feelings,”

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

the notion of waiting didn’t

get

to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had its