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.

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

to confide in

tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find

did not want to rob her of

team knows, and she is the only one that does

was messy, but I prayed

and I

turned their attention toward us, offering respectful

were

didn’t sit well with me that, despite being the Beta,

was an anticipated

extensive, and the community there held a deep affection

had compelled our return to this place cast a sombre

and I, purchasing some food upon

but I was prepared to make

meagre offering of sandwiches and

a table tucked into a corner, we settled into

the reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired

beyond the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about their

to Elaine was evident, and he was almost always by her side when

and Marvin were frequently

differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well?

is like

siblings are like

alliance through fire and blood; why would you want to act 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 never speaking to each

think we can’t see it? It is wrong

Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection for you; it’s evident in

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

we’re

that you end this now

if we encounter conflicts, they will extend

studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our

falsely accused Adrik of treason to eliminate

Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten

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

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

word had become linked to my

directed

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

her are authentic,” I asserted,

last time we discussed Sophia?”

“Yes, Justin.

arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped

circumstances have since

spoken

You meant them.

a constant presence, and yet you

Oliver have been upfront

with Sophia

that Sophia is missing, you suddenly start

notice?” he pressed, causing me to shake

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

understand if you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to believe me, but I’m

me some time to untangle my feelings

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

felt like

that point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships or

thought I had a concept of what

misinterpreted my

an incredible person, and being around her

me into believing I had deeper

from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I

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

something changed during graduation week, and the notion

things, to get that aspect of

to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had