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.

address the situation with Justin without

to

not want to tell Josephine anything; I

rob her of the feeling of

knows, and she is the only

I prayed for wisdom to get

I proceeded

toward us, offering respectful greetings,

of recognition—people were aware of our identities, mine

sit well with me that, despite being the Beta, I

it was an anticipated

was extensive, and the community there held

contemplation of the events that had compelled our return to this place cast a

cafeteria, Justin and

my preference, but I was prepared

sandwiches and water hardly constituted

tucked into a corner, we

I asked to speak with

beyond the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about

and he was almost always by her side when she

Marvin were frequently seen with

was my situation treated differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?”

is like

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 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 wrong to

Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds

do a convincing job of showing her she matters,

we’re all

now

if we encounter conflicts, they will extend to

well, including the Volkovs and

Adrik of treason to

Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who

us not create another problem because you were looking for a

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

this word had become linked to

shook my head and directed my gaze

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

sincere, and my feelings for her are

were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I averted

“Yes, Justin.

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

have since

words weren’t spoken

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet you never

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have

were with Sophia

is missing, you

he pressed, causing me to shake my

genuinely care for

I truly do.

have doubts, and it’s your prerogative not

me some time to untangle

but I believe my emotions for her were born out of

like a

didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

of what they entailed, but I

my infatuation as

is an incredible person, and being around

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

Sophia or asking her out because I held out hope of

and still hadn’t found her, my plan was to wait until Sophia

during graduation week, and the notion

to get that aspect of my life settled and

bare my feelings, but the universe had its