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.

address the situation with

to confide in

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

not want to rob her

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

prayed for wisdom to

I

their attention toward us, offering respectful greetings,

consequence of recognition—people were

didn’t sit well with me that, despite being

was an anticipated

history within Grizlo was extensive, and the community there held

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

stepped into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food

my preference, but I was prepared to make

of sandwiches and water

a corner,

I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned a

beyond the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about their

and he was almost always

were frequently

well? “What is with you and Jo?”

is like family,

and his siblings

alliance through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand

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

you think we can’t see it? It is

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

her she matters, but we both know that Sophia is your sole

we’re all

you end this now before it escalates and

conflicts,

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

Adrik of treason to eliminate

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who

for a substitute,” he warned, and that word ‘substitute’ echoed

surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s home, and

had become linked to

directed my gaze at my

can trust that

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

time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned,

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have since

spoken in haste,

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet you never pursued

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront

were with

missing, you suddenly start spending time with

you truly believe people won’t notice?” he pressed, causing me to shake my head in

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative not

some time to untangle my feelings

had the opportunity to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out of

felt like a natural

grasp the

had a concept of what

my infatuation as

and being around her

me into believing I had deeper

her out because

plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen before making

something changed during graduation week, and the notion of

to get that aspect of

bare