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.

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

to

not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out on

want to rob her of the feeling

she is the only one that does not know,

prayed for wisdom to get

and I proceeded

toward us, offering respectful greetings,

was a consequence of recognition—people were

that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more reverence than

was an anticipated

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

compelled our return to this place cast

stepped into the cafeteria, Justin and I,

but I was

and water hardly constituted a satisfying

into a corner, we settled into our

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

the matter concerning Sophia, I

me puzzled as to why others

he was almost

Marvin were frequently seen

allowed to form a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and I did

is like

his siblings are like

that friendship and alliance through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia

both of you went from not being able to stand each other and never speaking to each other to

can’t see it? It

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

she matters, but we both know that Sophia

we’re

end this now

me, if we encounter conflicts, they will extend to our

studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our great-great-

Adrik of treason

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

problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that word ‘substitute’ echoed

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

word had become linked to my relationship with

my head and directed my

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

are authentic,” I

how they were sincere the last time we discussed

“Yes, Justin.

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

have since

words weren’t spoken

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront

with Sophia

missing, you suddenly start spending time with

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

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

it’s your prerogative not

took me some time to untangle

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

like a natural

I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

had a concept of what they entailed,

my infatuation as

an incredible person, and being around her

into believing I had deeper feelings,”

asking her out because I held out

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

the notion

had a desire to accelerate things, to get that

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