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.

couldn’t address the situation with Justin

reluctant to confide in Josephine

Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out

did not want to rob her of the

this team knows, and she is the only one that does not know,

was messy, but I prayed for

I proceeded

toward us, offering respectful

were aware of our identities,

that, despite being

was

extensive, and the community there held a deep

contemplation of the events that had compelled our return

cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food upon

cuisine wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was

of sandwiches and water hardly constituted a

a

to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and

beyond the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t

puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about their

to Elaine was evident, and he was almost always by her

and Marvin were frequently seen with the

as well? “What is with you and Jo?”

is like

his siblings are like

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

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

can’t see it? It is wrong

to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection for you; it’s evident in her

her she matters,

why we’re all in

that you end this now

conflicts, they

trust you’ve studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our great-great-

falsely accused Adrik of

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

not create another problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that word ‘substitute’ echoed once

from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at

become linked to my relationship

and directed my gaze

I understand your concern, but you can trust that Josephine’s well-being

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

like how they were sincere the last time we

“Yes, Justin.

if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my lips and had crossed

circumstances have since

words weren’t spoken

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet you never pursued

and Oliver have been upfront about their

were with

Sophia is missing, you suddenly start spending time

believe people won’t notice?” he pressed, causing me to shake my

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

prerogative not to

took me some time to

never had the opportunity to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity

felt like

that point, I didn’t grasp the

of

misinterpreted my infatuation as

an incredible person, and being around

believing I had deeper

refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held

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

the

to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my life settled and move

lay bare my feelings, but the universe had