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.

situation with Justin without disclosing the truth

was reluctant to confide in Josephine

to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find

want to rob her of the feeling

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

prayed for wisdom

I proceeded

turned their attention toward us, offering

were aware of our identities,

well with me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more

was

was extensive, and the

compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow

cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing

my preference, but I was prepared

offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted

for a table tucked into a corner, we settled

to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly,

matter concerning Sophia, I

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

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

were frequently

allowed to form a connection as well?

like family,

Alexei and his siblings are like family,

why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so

from not being able to stand each other and never speaking

think we can’t see it? It is wrong

find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection for

matters, but

we’re all in

you end this now before it escalates

conflicts, they will extend to

including the Volkovs and Stepanovs,

of treason

Eric, and

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

had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my

had become linked to my relationship with

directed my gaze at my

you can trust that Josephine’s well-being is

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

sincere the last time we discussed

“Yes, Justin.

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

have since

words weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet you never

and Oliver have

were with Sophia

you suddenly start spending

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

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

have doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to believe me, but I’m speaking

to

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

like a natural

that point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships or

of what they entailed, but I

my infatuation

incredible person, and

misled me into believing I had

her out because I held out hope

her, my plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen before

during graduation week, and the notion of waiting

a desire to accelerate things, to get that

her, to lay bare my feelings,