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.

situation with Justin

to confide in

did not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her

to rob her of the feeling of

this team knows, and she is the only one that does

but I prayed

I

their attention toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed

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

with me that, despite being the Beta,

it was

and the community

compelled our return to

and I, purchasing

preference, but I

sandwiches and water hardly

for a table tucked into a corner, we settled into our

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

beyond the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t

to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries

Elaine was evident, and he was almost always

were frequently seen with

connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and I did

like family,

siblings

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

went from not being able to stand each other and never

It is

Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection for you; it’s evident

matters, but we both know that Sophia is your sole

why we’re all

end this now

if we encounter conflicts, they

studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of

of

his siblings, Eric, and

not create another problem because you were looking for a substitute,”

thrice that day—first from Josephine in the

how this word had become linked to my relationship

directed my gaze

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

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

were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?”

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have

spoken in haste,

You meant them.

has been a constant presence,

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront

with

you suddenly start spending time with

notice?” he pressed, causing me to shake my head

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

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

to untangle my

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

felt like a natural

grasp the intricacies of

of what they entailed, but

misinterpreted my infatuation

incredible person, and

into believing I had deeper feelings,” I

or asking her out because I held

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

the notion of waiting didn’t feel

to get

intended to speak with her, to lay bare