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

to confide

did not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted

to rob her of

she is the only one that does not know,

prayed for wisdom to get through

and I

toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

recognition—people were aware of our identities, mine in

being the Beta,

it was

within Grizlo was extensive, and the community there held a

the events that had compelled our return to this

the cafeteria, Justin and I,

exactly my preference, but I was

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted a satisfying

a corner, we settled into

aware of the reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and

beyond the matter concerning Sophia,

why others weren’t receiving similar

was almost

and Marvin were frequently seen with

Was I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What is with you and

is like

siblings

would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine

on in her head? The both of you went from not being

It is wrong

to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact

job of showing her she matters, but we both know that

why we’re all in

that you end this now before

we encounter conflicts, they will extend to our

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

falsely accused Adrik of

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families

looking for

Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s home,

had become linked to my

directed my

trust

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

last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and

“Yes, Justin.

arose,” I responded, knowing that those

circumstances have since

words weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

a constant presence,

and Oliver have been upfront about

were with

missing, you suddenly start spending

notice?” he pressed, causing me

care

I truly do.

doubts, and it’s your prerogative

time to untangle

believe my emotions for her were born out of

felt like a natural

grasp

had a concept of

misinterpreted my infatuation

incredible person, and being around her was

I had

refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held out hope of

my plan was to wait until Sophia

during graduation week, and the notion of

things, to get that aspect of

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