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.

couldn’t address the situation with Justin without

to confide in

I wanted her to

want to rob her

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

messy, but I prayed for

and I proceeded

us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

a consequence of recognition—people were aware of our identities,

being the Beta, I

was an anticipated

was extensive, and the

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

cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing

but I was prepared to make

offering of sandwiches and water

tucked into a corner, we settled into

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

matter concerning Sophia, I

left me puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries

he was

frequently seen with

well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and I did not

is like

siblings are like

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

went from not being able to stand each other and never speaking to each other

see it? It is wrong

seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection for you; it’s

her she matters, but we both know that

why we’re all

this now before it escalates and jeopardises our

conflicts, they will extend to our

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

Adrik of treason

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

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

Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my

pondered how this word had become linked to

head and directed my

can trust that

sincere, and my feelings for her are

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

“Yes, Justin.

would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that

have since

weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

has been a constant presence,

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about their

with Sophia

is missing, you suddenly

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

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative not

time to untangle my feelings

had the opportunity to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity and the expectation

like

point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies

concept of what they entailed, but I was

misinterpreted my infatuation

incredible person, and

believing I

I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out

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

changed during graduation week, and the notion of

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

I intended to speak with her, to lay bare