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.

since I couldn’t address the situation

to

tell Josephine anything; I

to rob her of the feeling of

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

but I prayed for wisdom to

I proceeded in

us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed

of recognition—people were aware of our

didn’t sit well with me that, despite being the Beta,

it was an

history within Grizlo was extensive, and the community there

compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow over

stepped into the cafeteria, Justin and I,

but I was

meagre offering of sandwiches and

for a table tucked into a

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

beyond the matter concerning Sophia,

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

and he was almost always by

frequently seen with the Corrigan

situation treated differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What is

is like

his siblings are like family,

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

you think is going on in her head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other

think we can’t see it? It is

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

showing her she matters,

why we’re all in

end this now before it

conflicts, they will extend to

studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our great-great-

accused Adrik of treason to

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

were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that word

day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s home, and now

become linked to my relationship

my head and directed my

understand your concern, but you can trust that Josephine’s well-being is genuinely important to

feelings for her are authentic,” I asserted, and

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

“Yes, Justin.

ever arose,” I responded,

circumstances have

weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

has been a constant presence,

and Oliver have

with

is missing, you suddenly start spending time with

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

care

I truly do.

your prerogative not to believe me, but I’m speaking

some time to untangle my

had the opportunity to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity and the expectation of the

like a

grasp the intricacies of relationships

had a concept of

my infatuation as

and being

have misled me into believing I

her out

I reached eighteen and still hadn’t found her, my plan

and the notion of waiting

had a desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect

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