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.

the situation with Justin without disclosing the truth

was reluctant to confide in Josephine

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

rob her of the feeling

she is the only one

was messy, but I prayed for

and I

attention toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed

were aware

being the Beta, I garnered more reverence than

was an anticipated

the community there held a deep affection for

the contemplation of the events that had compelled our return to

cafeteria, Justin and I,

exactly my preference, but I was prepared to make

offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted

a table tucked into a corner, we

speak with you,” Justin

beyond the matter concerning Sophia,

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

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

were frequently seen with

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

is like

Alexei and his siblings are

understand you are hurting and miss Sophia

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

It is wrong to use people

revert seamlessly? How do you think that

job of showing her she matters,

why we’re

you end this now

we encounter conflicts, they will extend

Volkovs and

accused Adrik of

and ten

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

surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning,

this word had become linked to my relationship

directed my

I understand your concern, but you can trust

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

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

“Yes, Justin.

say I would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my lips and had

have

words weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

presence, and yet you

Oliver have been upfront about their

with Sophia

you suddenly start spending time with

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

genuinely care

I truly do.

prerogative not to believe

me some time to untangle my feelings concerning

believe my emotions for her were born out

like a natural

I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships or

a concept of what they

misinterpreted my

an incredible person, and

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

Sophia or asking her out because

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

week, and the notion of

things, to get that aspect of my

to speak with her, to lay bare my feelings, but the