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.

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

reluctant to

want to tell Josephine anything; I

want to rob her of the

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

but I prayed for

I proceeded

their attention toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

were aware of

sit well with me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more reverence than

was an

and the community there held a deep affection

had compelled our return to this

and

wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was

and water hardly constituted

table tucked into a corner,

with you,” Justin

matter concerning Sophia, I

me puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar

was almost always

frequently seen with the Corrigan

well? “What is with you and

is like family,

his siblings are

blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are

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

think we can’t see it? It is wrong to use people like

Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that

of showing her she matters, but

we’re

end this now before it escalates and jeopardises

me, if we encounter conflicts, they will

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

Adrik of

and ten Stepanov families

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

term ‘substitute’ had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then

word had become linked to my

shook my head and directed my gaze at

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

my feelings for her are

the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned,

“Yes, Justin.

did say I would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my lips and had crossed

circumstances have

weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

been a constant presence, and yet

have been upfront about

with

you suddenly start

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

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

prerogative

took me some time to untangle my

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

felt like a

point, I didn’t grasp the

concept of what they entailed, but I was

my infatuation as

person, and being around her

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

pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I

her, my plan was to wait until Sophia

during graduation week, and the notion of

accelerate things, to get that

lay bare my feelings, but the universe had