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 with Justin without disclosing

reluctant to confide in Josephine

anything; I wanted her to find

rob

she is the only

I prayed for wisdom to get

and I proceeded in

attention toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

of recognition—people were aware of

me that, despite being

it was an anticipated

and the community

return to this

and I, purchasing

exactly my preference, but

and water hardly

a table tucked into a corner, we settled into

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

Sophia, I hadn’t committed

why others weren’t receiving similar

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

were frequently seen

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

like

and his siblings are like

why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine for

The both of you went from

think we can’t see it? It is wrong to

expect to revert seamlessly? How do

job of showing her she matters,

why we’re all in

you end this now before it escalates

if we encounter conflicts, they

Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions

falsely accused Adrik of

his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who resolved that

problem because you were looking for a substitute,”

in the morning, then Noah at

had become

directed my gaze

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

intentions are sincere, and my feelings for her are authentic,” I asserted, and he let out a

were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have since

spoken

You meant them.

constant presence,

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about

were with Sophia

missing, you suddenly start spending time

he pressed, causing me to shake my head in

care for

I truly do.

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

time to

believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity and the expectation of the next logical

like a natural

didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

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

misinterpreted my infatuation

person, and

believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting his

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

hadn’t found her, my plan was to wait until

and the notion of waiting

a desire to accelerate things, to get

her, to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had its own