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 Justin without disclosing the

reluctant to confide

I

not want to rob her of the feeling of

on this team knows, and she is the only one that does

I prayed for wisdom to

and I proceeded in

toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed

recognition—people were aware of our identities, mine in

despite being the Beta, I garnered more

it was

and the community there held a deep affection

of the events that had compelled our return to this place cast

into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food upon

but

sandwiches and

table tucked into a corner, we settled into

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

the matter concerning Sophia, I

to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about

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

frequently seen with

as well? “What is with you and

is like

Alexei and his siblings are

understand you are hurting

both of you went from

see it? It is wrong to use people like

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

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

why we’re all

this now before

me, if we encounter conflicts,

including the Volkovs and Stepanovs,

accused Adrik of treason to

Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and

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

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

become linked to my

shook my head and directed

trust that Josephine’s well-being is genuinely important

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

last time we discussed Sophia?”

“Yes, Justin.

the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words

have

weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet you never pursued

Oliver have been upfront about their

were with

is missing, you suddenly start spending time with

won’t notice?” he pressed, causing me to shake my head in

care for

I truly do.

it’s your prerogative

some time to untangle my feelings

to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out of

like

grasp the

concept of what they

misinterpreted my infatuation as

and being around her

might have misled me into believing I had deeper

refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out

and still hadn’t found her, my plan was

and the

desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my life settled

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