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

was reluctant to confide in

tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find

want to rob

knows, and she is the only one that does not know,

was messy, but I prayed for wisdom to get through

and I proceeded in

us, offering respectful

was a consequence of recognition—people were aware of our identities,

despite being the Beta, I

was an

the community there held a deep

of the events that had compelled our return to this place cast

cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food

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

offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted

table tucked into a corner,

speak with you,”

Sophia, I

as to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries

was almost

and Marvin were frequently seen

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 family,

and his siblings are

act irresponsibly? I understand

going on in her head? The both of you went from not being able to

think we can’t see it? It is

will happen when we find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine?

of showing her she matters,

why we’re all

advice is that you end this now before it escalates and

we encounter conflicts, they

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

accused Adrik of treason

and ten Stepanov families

problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned,

day—first from Josephine in the

become linked to my relationship

my head and directed my gaze at

but you can trust that Josephine’s well-being

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

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

“Yes, Justin.

did say I would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing

circumstances have since

words weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

a constant presence, and yet you never

Miles, and Oliver have been

with Sophia

missing, you suddenly start spending time with

people won’t notice?” he pressed, causing

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to believe me, but

me some time to untangle my feelings concerning

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

like a

didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

thought I had a concept of

misinterpreted my

is an incredible person, and being around

into believing I

this time, I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held out

eighteen and still hadn’t found her, my plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen before making any

during graduation week, and the

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

bare my feelings, but the