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

was reluctant to confide in Josephine

did not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find

want to rob her

she is the only one that does not know, I believe it would be

prayed for

and I proceeded

toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

of recognition—people were aware of

with me that, despite being the Beta, I

it was an

within Grizlo was extensive, and the community

return to this place cast a sombre shadow over

and

wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was prepared to make

and water hardly

for a table tucked into a corner, we settled

aware of the reason I asked to speak with

the matter concerning Sophia,

others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about

he was

were frequently

why was my situation treated differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and

is like

Alexei and his siblings are like

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

you 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

It is

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

matters, but we

we’re

is that you end this now before it escalates and jeopardises

encounter conflicts, they will

Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our great-great-

Adrik of treason to

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and

for a substitute,” he

that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then

had become

head and directed my gaze

I understand your concern, but you can trust that Josephine’s

her are authentic,” I asserted, and he let out a

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

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have since

spoken in

You meant them.

has been a constant presence,

have been upfront

were with

you suddenly start spending

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

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

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

me some time to

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

like a

I didn’t grasp the intricacies of

thought I had a concept of what they entailed, but I was

misinterpreted my infatuation

incredible person, and being around

misled me into believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting

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

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

week, and the notion of

had a desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my life

with her, to lay bare my feelings,