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

reluctant to confide in

want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted

want to rob

everyone on this team knows, and she is the only one

was messy, but I prayed for

and I

us, offering respectful greetings, particularly

of recognition—people were aware of our

me that, despite being the

it was an

and the community there

that had compelled our return to this

cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food upon

wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was prepared

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted a

table tucked into a corner, we settled into our

aware of the reason I asked to speak with

the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

as to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about

was evident, and he was almost

and Marvin were frequently seen

treated differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?”

like family,

and his siblings are

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

her head? The both of you went from not being able to stand

you think we can’t see it? It is wrong to

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

a convincing job of showing her she matters, but we both know

we’re all

you end this now before it

conflicts, they will extend to

Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our

accused Adrik of

was Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and

you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that

Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s home, and

had become linked to my relationship

my head and directed my gaze at my

concern, but you can trust that

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

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

“Yes, Justin.

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

have

weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

presence, and yet you

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about

were with Sophia

missing, you suddenly start spending time

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

care

I truly do.

understand if you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative not

me some time to untangle my

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

like

I didn’t grasp the

of

my infatuation

incredible person, and

have misled me into believing I had deeper feelings,”

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

found her, my plan was to wait until Sophia

changed during graduation week, and the notion of waiting didn’t feel

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

lay bare my feelings, but the universe