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.

was inevitable since I couldn’t address the situation with Justin without disclosing the

to confide

anything; I wanted her to find

did not want to rob her of the

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

but I prayed for

and I

toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly

recognition—people were aware of our identities, mine in

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

was an

and the community there held a deep affection

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

Justin and I, purchasing some food

preference, but I was prepared to

sandwiches and water hardly constituted a satisfying

a corner, we settled into our

with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned a

concerning Sophia, I

as to why others weren’t receiving

and he was almost always by her side when she was

and Marvin were frequently seen with the Corrigan

form a connection as well?

is like family,

his siblings are

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

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

see it? It is wrong to use people like

Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will

her she matters, but we both know that

why we’re

that you end this now before

encounter conflicts, they will extend to

and Stepanovs, especially

accused Adrik of

was Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who resolved

for a substitute,” he warned, and that word

had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the

pondered how this word had become linked to my relationship

and directed my gaze

trust that Josephine’s well-being is genuinely important to

my feelings for her are authentic,” I

time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have

weren’t spoken

You meant them.

been a constant presence, and yet you

and Oliver have been

with

that Sophia is missing, you suddenly start

believe people won’t notice?” he pressed, causing me

care

I truly do.

prerogative

took me some time to

those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity and the

like a natural

didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships or

had a concept of what they entailed, but

misinterpreted my

an incredible person, and being around

have misled me into believing I

time, I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her

hadn’t found her, my plan was

the notion

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

with her, to lay bare my feelings, but