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 about

was reluctant to

tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out on

to rob

only one that does

but I prayed for wisdom to get

I proceeded

toward us, offering respectful

was a consequence of recognition—people were aware of our

being the Beta, I garnered more reverence

it was an

and the community there held a deep

had compelled our return to this place cast

cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some

my preference, but I was

sandwiches and water hardly constituted

into a corner, we settled

reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I

concerning Sophia, I

as to why others weren’t receiving

he was almost always by her side when

frequently seen with the

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

like

and his siblings are like family,

friendship and alliance through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much,

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

think we can’t see it? It

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

her she matters, but we both know that Sophia is your

why we’re all

that you end this now before

if we encounter conflicts, they will

you’ve studied history well, including the Volkovs and

falsely accused Adrik of treason to eliminate

his siblings, Eric, and

were looking for a substitute,”

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

had become linked to my relationship with

directed my gaze at my

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

her are

sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I averted my

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have since

words weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

a constant presence, and yet you never pursued

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about

with Sophia

you suddenly

pressed, causing me to

care for

I truly do.

doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to believe me,

some time to untangle my feelings concerning

opportunity to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out of

felt like

point, I didn’t grasp the

concept of what they entailed, but

misinterpreted my

person, and being

have misled me into believing I had deeper feelings,” I

Sophia or asking her out because I held

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

week, and the

desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my

to speak with her, to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had