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 with

reluctant to confide in

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

rob her of

everyone on this team knows, and she is the only one that does not know, I believe it would

I prayed for

and I

offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

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

being

it was

was extensive, and the community there held

our return to this place cast

into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing

cuisine wasn’t exactly my preference, but

and water hardly constituted a satisfying

tucked into a corner, we

of the reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned a lack of

concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

as to why others weren’t

to Elaine was evident, and he was almost always

frequently seen with the Corrigan

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

like family,

his siblings are like family,

act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much,

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

can’t see it? It is wrong to use people like

to revert seamlessly? How do you think that

matters,

we’re

now before it escalates and jeopardises

conflicts, they will extend to

the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions

of treason

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

for a substitute,” he warned, and that word

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

pondered how this word had become linked to my

directed my gaze

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

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

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

“Yes, Justin.

reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words

have since

weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

been a constant presence, and

and Oliver have been upfront about

with Sophia

you suddenly

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

care

I truly do.

you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to

some time to untangle my

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

felt like

didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

concept of what they

my infatuation

incredible person, and being around her

into believing I had deeper

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

plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen before making

graduation week, and the notion of waiting didn’t

get that aspect of my life settled and

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