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 disclosing the truth

to confide

not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her

not want to rob her of the feeling of

only one

messy, but I prayed for wisdom to get through

and I proceeded in

attention toward us, offering respectful greetings,

of recognition—people were aware of our identities, mine

sit well with me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more

was

Grizlo was extensive, and the community there

contemplation of the events that had compelled our return to

cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food upon

wasn’t exactly my preference, but

sandwiches and water hardly constituted a satisfying

for a table tucked into a corner, we settled

sure you’re aware of the reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired

matter concerning Sophia, I

as to why others weren’t receiving similar

was evident, and he was almost always

Marvin were frequently seen with

form a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?”

is like family,

siblings are like family,

irresponsibly? I understand you

you think is going on in her head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other and

you think we can’t see it? 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

of showing her she matters, but we

we’re all

you end this now before it escalates

conflicts, they will

the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of

accused Adrik of

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

another problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that word ‘substitute’ echoed

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

become linked to my relationship

and directed my gaze at

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

for her are authentic,” I asserted,

how they were sincere the last time we

“Yes, Justin.

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

have since

words weren’t spoken

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet you

and Oliver have been upfront

were with

is missing, you suddenly start spending time

believe people won’t notice?” he pressed,

genuinely care for

I truly do.

and it’s your prerogative not to

to untangle my feelings

my emotions for her were born

like a

didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships or

thought I had a concept of what they entailed, but

my infatuation

is an incredible person, and being around

me into believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed,

asking her out

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

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

to accelerate things, to get

with her, to lay bare my