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

was reluctant to confide

anything; I wanted her to

want to rob her of the

team knows, and she is the only one that does

but I prayed for

I

us, offering respectful greetings,

consequence of recognition—people were

with me that, despite being the Beta,

it was an anticipated

extensive, and the community there held a deep affection for

compelled our return to this

stepped into the cafeteria, Justin and I,

cuisine wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was

of sandwiches and water hardly constituted a satisfying

tucked into a corner,

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

Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries

and he was almost

Marvin were frequently seen

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

like

his siblings are

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

going on in her head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other and never speaking to each other

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

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

do a convincing job of showing her she matters, but we

we’re all in

advice is that you end this now before it escalates

conflicts, they

including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially

of treason

his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who

looking for a substitute,”

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

this word had become

head and directed my gaze at my

I understand your concern, but you can trust

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

like how they were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he

“Yes, Justin.

fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded,

have

weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

been a constant presence, and

Oliver have been

with Sophia

Sophia is missing, you suddenly

believe people won’t notice?” he pressed,

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

understand if you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative

took me some time to untangle my

I believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity and the expectation of the next

felt like a natural

grasp the intricacies

thought I had a concept of what they entailed, but

my

an incredible person, and

me into believing I

pursuing Sophia or asking her

and still hadn’t found her, my plan was to

something changed during graduation week, and the notion of waiting didn’t

accelerate things, to get that aspect

intended to speak with her, to lay bare my feelings, but the