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.

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

reluctant to

tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out on

want to rob her of the feeling of

team knows, and she is the only one that does

was messy, but I prayed for wisdom to get through

and I

attention toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

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

me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered

was an

was extensive, and the community

the contemplation of the events that had compelled our return to this

Justin and

cuisine wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was prepared

and

for a table tucked into a corner, we

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

Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

others weren’t receiving

was evident, and he was almost always by

Marvin were frequently seen

allowed to form a connection as well? “What is with you and

is like

siblings

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

you went from not being able to stand each other and never speaking to each other

can’t see it? It is wrong to use

do you think will happen when we 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

convincing job of showing her she matters, but we both know that Sophia is your sole

we’re

that you end this now before it escalates and jeopardises our

conflicts, they will extend to

Volkovs and

of treason to

his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov

not create another problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and

day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah

word had become linked to my relationship with

and directed my gaze

trust that Josephine’s well-being is

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

time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned,

“Yes, Justin.

I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my lips

circumstances have since

weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

a constant presence, and yet you

Oliver have been upfront about their

were with Sophia

you suddenly start spending

pressed, causing me to shake my

genuinely care for

I truly do.

and it’s your prerogative not to believe me, but I’m

to untangle my feelings

I believe my emotions for her were born out

felt like a natural

I didn’t grasp the

of what

my infatuation

person, and

believing I had

refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I

my plan was to wait until Sophia turned

changed during graduation week, and the notion of waiting didn’t

things, to get that aspect of my

to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had its