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.

I couldn’t address the situation with Justin without disclosing the truth

was reluctant to confide in

tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out on her

to rob her of the feeling

and she is the only one that does not know, I

was messy, but I prayed for wisdom to get through

I

us, offering respectful

were aware of

with me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered

was an anticipated

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

that had compelled our return to this place cast a

cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food upon

wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was prepared

offering of sandwiches and

tucked into a corner, we settled

reason I asked to speak with

the matter concerning Sophia, I

to why others weren’t receiving

was almost

and Marvin were frequently

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

and his siblings are like

why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand

of you went from not being able to stand

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

we find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection

matters, but we both know that Sophia is

we’re

end this now before it escalates and jeopardises our

encounter conflicts,

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

accused Adrik of treason to eliminate

was Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who resolved

looking for a substitute,” he warned, and

term ‘substitute’ had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s

how this word had become linked to my relationship with

head and directed my gaze at my

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

feelings for her are authentic,” I asserted,

how they were sincere the last time we

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have since

weren’t spoken

You meant them.

has been a constant presence,

Oliver have been upfront about

were with Sophia

you suddenly start spending time

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

care

I truly do.

prerogative not to believe me, but I’m speaking

me some time to untangle my feelings concerning

believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity

like a

I didn’t grasp the intricacies of

a concept of what they entailed, but I was

my infatuation as

and being around

me into believing I had

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

her, my plan was to wait until Sophia

something changed during graduation week, and the notion

accelerate things, to get that aspect of my

I intended to speak with her, to lay bare