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 without disclosing the

was reluctant to confide in

to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find

want to rob her of

is the only one that does not

was messy, but I prayed for wisdom to

I

toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

recognition—people were aware

me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered

was an

history within Grizlo was extensive, and the community there held a

return to this place cast a sombre shadow

the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food upon

my preference, but I was prepared

offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted a

table tucked into a corner, we settled into our

asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned

Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

me puzzled as to why others

attachment to Elaine was evident, and he was almost always

frequently

Was I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What is with

like family,

and his siblings

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

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

It is

find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection for you; it’s evident in

she matters, but we both know that Sophia is your

why we’re

end this now before it escalates and

encounter conflicts, they will extend to our

history well, including the Volkovs and

falsely accused Adrik of

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

problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that word ‘substitute’ echoed once

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

become

head and directed my

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

for her are authentic,” I asserted, and he let out a

like how they were sincere the last time we discussed

“Yes, Justin.

reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I

have since

spoken in haste,

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet you

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about their

with Sophia

that Sophia is missing, you suddenly start spending

pressed, causing me

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

your prerogative not to believe me, but I’m speaking the

took me some time to untangle my feelings

the 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 a

I didn’t grasp

had a concept of

misinterpreted my infatuation as

incredible person, and being around her was

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

Sophia or asking her out because

her, my plan was to wait until Sophia

the notion

to get that aspect

to speak with her, to lay bare my feelings,