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.

since I couldn’t address the situation with Justin without disclosing the

to confide

tell Josephine anything; I wanted her

rob her of the feeling of

and she is the only one that does not know, I

was messy, but I prayed

I

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

were aware of our identities, mine in

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

was an

history within Grizlo was extensive, and the community there held a

events that had compelled our return to this

into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some

but I was prepared to make

offering of sandwiches and water

for a table tucked into a corner, we settled into

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

beyond the matter concerning Sophia,

why others weren’t receiving similar

Elaine was evident, and he was almost always by her

Marvin were frequently seen with

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

is like

and his siblings

parents forged that friendship and alliance 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 bandage

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

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

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

matters, but

we’re

you end this now before

me, if we encounter conflicts, they will

the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of

Adrik of

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

not create another problem because you were looking for a substitute,”

in the morning,

word had become linked to my relationship with

and directed my gaze at my

concern, but you can trust that Josephine’s

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

we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I

“Yes, Justin.

ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words

circumstances have

weren’t spoken

You meant them.

presence, and

and Oliver have been upfront about

with

is missing, you suddenly

he pressed, causing me to shake my head in

genuinely care

I truly do.

your prerogative

to untangle

my emotions for her were born out of familiarity and the expectation of the next logical

felt like

I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

thought I had a concept of what they entailed,

misinterpreted my infatuation as

incredible person, and being

I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting his

Sophia or asking her out because I held

reached eighteen and still hadn’t found her, my plan was to

during graduation week, and the notion of waiting didn’t

to get that aspect of my life settled and move

lay bare my feelings, but the universe had