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.

since I couldn’t address the situation with

was reluctant to confide

I wanted her to find out

rob her of the feeling of

everyone on this team knows, and she is the only one that does not know, I

was messy, but I prayed for wisdom

I

us, offering

was a consequence of recognition—people were aware

with me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more reverence

was an anticipated

was extensive, and the community there held

that had compelled our return to this place cast

and I, purchasing some food upon

cuisine wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was prepared to

offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted

a table tucked into a corner, we

asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly,

the matter concerning Sophia, I

left me puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving

evident, and he was almost always by her side when

Marvin were frequently

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

is like family,

Alexei and his siblings are

understand you are hurting

you went from not being able to stand each other and never speaking to

It is wrong to

revert seamlessly? How

job of showing her she matters, but we both know that Sophia is

we’re all

that you end this now

if we encounter conflicts, they will

you’ve studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs,

of treason

Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov

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

that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s home, and now

become linked to my

head and directed

understand your concern, but you can trust that

her are authentic,”

were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have

words weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

been a constant presence, and yet you never pursued

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about their

were with

Sophia is missing, you suddenly start

pressed, causing me to shake

care

I truly do.

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

time to untangle

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

like

that point, I didn’t grasp

thought I had a concept of what they entailed, but

misinterpreted my infatuation as

incredible person, and being around her

believing I had deeper

I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I

her, my plan was to wait until

during graduation week, and the

a desire to accelerate things, to get that

lay bare my