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.

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

to

did not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted

not want to rob her of the

knows, and she is the only one that does not know, I believe it would

but I prayed for wisdom to get

I proceeded

toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed

consequence of recognition—people were aware of

with me that, despite being

it was an anticipated

Grizlo was extensive, and the community

return to this place cast

Justin and I, purchasing

wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was

and water hardly constituted

table tucked into a corner, we settled into

you’re aware of the reason I asked to speak with

beyond the matter concerning Sophia, I

left me puzzled as to why others weren’t

and he was almost always by her side when she was

Marvin were frequently seen with the Corrigan

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

is like

his siblings are

parents forged that friendship and alliance through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss

from not being

can’t see it? It is wrong to use

we find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you

job of showing her she matters, but we

why we’re

end this now before

encounter conflicts, they will

you’ve studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our great-great-

Adrik of treason

and

not create another problem because you were looking for a

Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s

this word had become

directed

trust that Josephine’s well-being is

her are authentic,” I asserted, and he let out a

they were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned,

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have

spoken in haste,

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and

Miles, and Oliver have been

with Sophia

missing, you suddenly

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

care

I truly do.

doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to believe me,

some time to untangle my

to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for

like a

I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

I had a concept of what they entailed, but I

my infatuation

an incredible person, and being around her was

have misled me into believing I had deeper feelings,”

time, I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held out hope of

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

and the

to accelerate things, to get that aspect

her, to lay bare my feelings, but the universe