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.

was inevitable since I couldn’t address the situation with Justin without disclosing

was reluctant to confide in

tell Josephine anything; I wanted

want to rob her

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

messy, but I prayed for wisdom

I proceeded in

toward us, offering respectful

were aware of our identities, mine in

well with me that, despite being

it was

history within Grizlo was extensive, and the community there held a

events that had compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow over

cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing

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

of sandwiches and water hardly constituted

a corner, we settled

reason I asked to speak with you,”

matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about their

and he was almost

frequently seen

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

like family,

siblings are

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

head? The both of you went from

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

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

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

why we’re all

that you end this now before it escalates and

we encounter conflicts,

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

accused Adrik of

his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov

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

had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning,

this word had become linked to

and directed

you can trust

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

we discussed Sophia?” he

“Yes, Justin.

ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my lips

have since

weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet

Miles, and Oliver have

were with Sophia

Sophia is missing, you suddenly

he pressed, causing me to shake my

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

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

me some time to untangle

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

like

point, I didn’t grasp the

had a concept of what they entailed, but I was

misinterpreted my infatuation

an incredible person, and being around

me into believing I had

asking her out

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

and the

things, to get that aspect of my life settled

lay bare