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.

couldn’t address the situation with Justin

reluctant to confide

Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out

rob her of the feeling

she is the only one that does

but I prayed for

and I

attention toward us, offering

was a consequence of recognition—people were aware of our

with me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered

it was an anticipated

extensive, and the community there held a deep affection

that had compelled our return to this place cast a

into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing

wasn’t exactly my preference, but I

offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted a satisfying

a corner,

sure you’re aware of the reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned

beyond the matter concerning Sophia,

others weren’t receiving similar inquiries

evident, and he was almost

and Marvin were frequently seen with the Corrigan

a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and I

like family,

and his siblings

parents forged 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 relying on Josephine for emotional support and bandage is

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

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

How do you think that will impact

showing her she matters, but we

we’re all in

is that you end this now before it escalates and

if we encounter conflicts, they will extend to

history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially

Adrik of treason to eliminate

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

problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned,

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

this word had become linked

head and directed my

but you can trust that Josephine’s

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

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

“Yes, Justin.

situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my lips

circumstances have

weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

presence, and

Oliver have been upfront about

with

you suddenly start spending time with

truly believe people won’t notice?” he pressed, causing

care

I truly do.

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

me some time to untangle

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

like a

grasp the intricacies of relationships

a concept of what they

misinterpreted my infatuation as

incredible person, and being around her

believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting

or asking her out because I held out

my plan was to wait until Sophia turned

the notion of waiting didn’t

things, to get that aspect

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