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

reluctant to

want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted

to rob her

knows, and she is the only one that does

messy, but I prayed for

and I

us, offering respectful

were aware of our identities, mine in

being the Beta, I garnered more reverence

it was an

the community there held a deep affection

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

Justin and I, purchasing some food

exactly my preference, but I was prepared to make

meagre offering of sandwiches and water

table tucked into a corner, we settled into our

to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I

the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t

others

attachment to Elaine was evident, and he was almost always by her side

frequently seen with the Corrigan

well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked,

like family,

his siblings are

understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine for

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

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

you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will

showing her she matters, but we both know

why we’re all in

is that you end this now before it escalates and jeopardises our

if we encounter conflicts, they will extend

history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the

Adrik of treason

Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and

you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that word ‘substitute’ echoed once

day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at

how this word had become

shook my head and directed my gaze at

you can trust that Josephine’s well-being

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

sincere the last time we

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have since

weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet you never pursued

Oliver have been upfront about

were with Sophia

that Sophia is missing, you suddenly

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

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

it’s your prerogative not to believe

to untangle my feelings

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

felt like

that point, I didn’t grasp

I had a concept of what

my infatuation as

is an incredible person, and being around her

I had

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

her, my plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen before making any

during graduation week, and the notion of

a desire to accelerate things, to get

I intended to speak with her, to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had its own