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.

inevitable since I couldn’t address the situation with

reluctant to confide in

tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find

not want to rob her of the

only one that does not know, I believe it would be

messy, but I prayed for wisdom to get through

and I proceeded in

their attention toward us, offering respectful greetings,

recognition—people were aware of our identities, mine

me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered

it was an

the community there

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

Justin and

my preference, but I was prepared to

meagre offering of sandwiches and

into a

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

beyond the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t

me puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving

Elaine was evident, and he was almost always by her side when she was

and Marvin were frequently seen

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

is like

Alexei and his siblings

through fire 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

you went from not being able to stand each

see it? It is wrong to use people like

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

job of showing her she matters, but we

we’re

is that you end this now before

conflicts, they will

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

accused Adrik of treason to eliminate

and

problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he

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

how this word had become linked to my relationship with

and directed my gaze

can trust that Josephine’s well-being is genuinely important to

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

like how they were sincere the last time we

“Yes, Justin.

situation ever arose,” I

have since

weren’t spoken

You meant them.

constant presence,

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about their

were with Sophia

is missing, you suddenly

notice?” he pressed, causing

care

I truly do.

understand if you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to

took me some time to

to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity

felt like a natural

that point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies

concept of what they

misinterpreted my infatuation as

incredible person, and being around

believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting

or asking her out because I held out hope of meeting my

my plan was to

changed during graduation week, and the notion

a desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my life settled and move

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