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.

I couldn’t address the situation

reluctant to confide

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

rob her

team knows, and she is the only one that

prayed for wisdom to

I

their attention toward us, offering respectful greetings,

consequence of recognition—people were aware of

that, despite being the Beta,

was an anticipated

was extensive, and the community there held a deep affection

of the events that had compelled our return to

and I, purchasing some

my preference, but I was

offering of sandwiches and water hardly

a table tucked into a corner, we settled

aware of the reason I asked to speak with

matter concerning Sophia, I

to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about

was almost always by her side when

and Marvin were frequently seen with the Corrigan

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

like family,

his siblings are like family,

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

you 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

think we can’t see it? It is wrong

revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds

she matters, but we both know that Sophia

why we’re

now before it escalates

me, if we encounter conflicts,

and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our great-great-

Adrik of treason

his siblings, Eric, and

create another problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that

that day—first from Josephine in the morning,

how this word had become linked to my relationship with

head and directed

trust

her are authentic,” I asserted, and he let out

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

“Yes, Justin.

arose,” I responded, knowing that

have

weren’t spoken

You meant them.

constant presence, and

have been upfront about

were with Sophia

Sophia is missing, you suddenly

he pressed, causing me to shake my

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

prerogative not to believe me, but I’m

took me some time to untangle my feelings concerning

but I believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity and

felt like a

point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

concept of what they entailed, but I

my infatuation as

person, and being around

I had

pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I

found her, my plan was to wait

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

desire to accelerate things, to get

lay bare my feelings, but the universe