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.

the situation with Justin without disclosing

reluctant to confide

not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out on

not want to rob her of

team knows, and she is the only one that does not know, I believe it would be

was messy, but I prayed for wisdom to

and I proceeded in

toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly

of recognition—people were aware of our

being the Beta, I

it was an

the community

had compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow

cafeteria, Justin and I,

exactly my preference, but I was prepared

of sandwiches and water

for a table tucked into a corner, we settled into

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

concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar

evident, and he was almost always by her

were frequently seen with the

form a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and I did not know how to

is like family,

Alexei and his siblings are like

act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying

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

we can’t see it? It is

happen when we find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine?

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

why we’re all

now

encounter conflicts,

the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions

Adrik of

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov

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

that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s

this word had become linked to

directed my gaze at

your concern, but you can trust that

sincere, and my feelings for her are authentic,”

like how they were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and

“Yes, Justin.

the situation ever arose,” I

circumstances have

words weren’t spoken

You meant them.

presence, and yet

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about their

were with

Sophia is missing, you suddenly start spending time

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

care

I truly do.

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

some time to untangle my

for her were born out of familiarity and the expectation of

like a

grasp the intricacies

concept of what they

my

is an incredible person, and being around her was

misled me into believing I had deeper feelings,”

asking her out because I held out hope

still hadn’t found her, my plan was

changed during graduation week, and the notion

desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my

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