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.

couldn’t address the situation with Justin without disclosing the

reluctant to confide

anything; I wanted

rob her of the feeling of

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

was messy, but I prayed for wisdom to

I

turned their attention toward us, offering

were aware of our identities,

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

it was an anticipated

the community there held a

compelled our return to this place cast a sombre

Justin and I, purchasing some

but I was prepared to make

offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted a satisfying

into a corner,

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

beyond the matter concerning Sophia,

to why others weren’t

evident, and he was almost always by her side when she

were frequently seen with

as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and I did not

like family,

and his siblings

why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on

on in her head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other and never speaking

we can’t see it? It is wrong to use

How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection for you; it’s evident

job of showing her she matters, but we

we’re all

advice is that you end this now before

encounter conflicts, they will

Volkovs and

of treason to

siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who

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

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

how this word had become linked

directed my gaze at

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

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

we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have since

words weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

presence,

Oliver have

were with

Sophia is missing, you suddenly start spending

he pressed, causing me

genuinely care

I truly do.

have doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to believe me, but I’m speaking the

some time to untangle my feelings concerning

for her were born out of familiarity

felt like

grasp the

of what they entailed,

misinterpreted my infatuation

is an incredible person, and being around

believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting

Sophia or asking her out

my plan was to wait until

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

accelerate things, to get that aspect of my

intended to speak with her, to lay bare my feelings,