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

reluctant to confide

Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out on

want to rob her of the feeling

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

prayed for

and I proceeded in

their attention toward us, offering respectful

were aware of our identities, mine in

that, despite being the Beta, I garnered

it was an

Grizlo was extensive, and the community there held a deep affection for

the contemplation of the events that had compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow over the

Justin and I,

my preference, but I was prepared to make

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly

a

speak with you,”

beyond the matter concerning Sophia,

why others weren’t receiving

was evident, and he was

Marvin were frequently seen with

as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and

is like

siblings are like

forged that 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

think is going on in her head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other and never speaking to each other to

see it? It is wrong

find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do

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

why we’re all in

now

if we encounter conflicts, they

Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our

Adrik of treason to eliminate

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

for a substitute,” he warned, and that word

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

how this word had become

and directed my gaze at

can trust that

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

we discussed

“Yes, Justin.

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

have

words weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

been a constant presence, and yet you never

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about their

with

you suddenly

he pressed, causing

care

I truly do.

doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to believe me, but

me some time to untangle my feelings concerning

to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her

like a natural

point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of

I had a concept of what

my infatuation

and being around her

have misled me into believing I had deeper feelings,” I

pursuing Sophia or asking her

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

the notion of

to accelerate things, to get

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