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

to confide

tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find

want to rob her

this team knows, and she is the only one that does

was messy, but I prayed for wisdom to get

I proceeded

offering respectful greetings, particularly directed

were aware of

despite being the Beta, I garnered more reverence than

it was an

and the community there held

compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow over the

into the cafeteria, Justin and

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

sandwiches and water

into a corner, we settled

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

the matter concerning Sophia, I

others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about their

Elaine was evident, and he was

were frequently seen with the

was my situation treated differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well?

is like family,

and his siblings are like

and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on

of you went from not being able to stand

we can’t see it? It

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

showing her she matters, but we both know that

why we’re all

now before it escalates and jeopardises our

encounter conflicts, they will extend to our

studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our great-great- grandfather,

Adrik of treason

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

create another problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that word

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

had become linked

directed my

you can trust that Josephine’s well-being

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

the last time we discussed

“Yes, Justin.

I

have since

spoken

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet you never

and Oliver have

with

you

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

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

prerogative not to

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

like

point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

had a concept of

misinterpreted my infatuation

an incredible person, and being around

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

pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held

plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen

during graduation week, and the

to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my life

to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had