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.

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

reluctant to confide in Josephine

not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find

did not want to rob her of the

is the only one that does

messy, but I prayed for wisdom to get through

I

their attention toward us, offering respectful greetings,

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

well with me that, despite being the Beta, I

was

was extensive, and the community there held

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

Justin and I, purchasing

but I was prepared to

and water

into a corner, we settled into our

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

concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

why others weren’t receiving similar

and he was almost always

Marvin were frequently seen

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

like

and his siblings are like

irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and

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

It is

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

of showing her she matters, but we

why we’re

advice is that you end this now before it

if we encounter conflicts, they will

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

Adrik of treason to eliminate

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

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

from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at

how this word had become linked to my relationship

and directed my gaze at

your concern, but you can trust that

intentions are sincere, and my feelings for her are authentic,” I asserted, and

time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I averted

“Yes, Justin.

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

have since

words weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

a constant presence,

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about their

with Sophia

that Sophia is missing, you

he pressed, causing me to shake my

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

it’s your prerogative

me some time to

emotions for

felt like

point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

of what they entailed,

my infatuation

an incredible person, and being around

into believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed,

pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held out

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

week, and the notion of waiting didn’t feel right

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

lay bare my feelings,