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

was reluctant to confide in Josephine

not want to tell Josephine anything; I

not want to rob her of the

team knows, and she is the only one that

messy, but I prayed for wisdom to get through

and I proceeded in

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

a consequence of recognition—people were aware of our

being the Beta, I garnered

was an

and the community there held a deep affection for

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

the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some

my preference, but I

offering of sandwiches and water

into a corner,

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

matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t

me puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar

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

Marvin were frequently

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

like

Alexei and his siblings

forged that friendship and alliance through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and

The both of you went from not being able to stand each other

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

to revert seamlessly? How do you think

her she matters, but we both know that Sophia is your sole

why we’re

end this now before

me, if we encounter conflicts, they will

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

of treason to eliminate

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov

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

that day—first from Josephine in

how this word had become linked to

and directed my gaze

understand your concern, but you can trust that

feelings for her are authentic,”

how they were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned,

“Yes, Justin.

arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my

have

weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet you never pursued

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have been

with Sophia

is missing, you suddenly start

you truly believe people won’t notice?” he pressed, causing me

care for

I truly do.

prerogative not to believe me, but

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 of the next

felt like a

didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

concept of

misinterpreted my infatuation

incredible person, and being around her was

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

asking her out because I held

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

and the notion of waiting didn’t

things, to get that aspect of my

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