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

reluctant to confide

not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her

want to rob her

on this team knows, and she is the only one that does not know, I believe it would be

was messy, but I prayed for

I

toward us, offering respectful

a consequence of recognition—people were aware of our identities,

me that, despite being the Beta, I

it was

history within Grizlo was extensive, and the community

events that had compelled our return to

Justin and I, purchasing

my preference, but I was

sandwiches and water hardly constituted a satisfying

a table tucked into a corner, we

speak with

matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about their

evident, and he was almost always by her

were frequently seen with the Corrigan

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

is like family,

his siblings

alliance through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine for emotional support

from not being

can’t see it? It is wrong

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

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

why we’re all in

now

encounter conflicts, they

well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs,

Adrik of treason to

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families

not create another problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that word ‘substitute’ echoed once

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

word had become linked

directed my gaze

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

are authentic,” I asserted, and he let out a

how they were sincere the last time we discussed

“Yes, Justin.

my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those

circumstances have since

words weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

constant presence,

and Oliver have been

were with

you

you truly believe people won’t notice?” he pressed,

genuinely care for

I truly do.

it’s your prerogative not to believe me,

to untangle my feelings

sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out of

like a

grasp the

a concept of

my infatuation as

is an incredible person, and being around

believing I had deeper feelings,” I

pursuing Sophia or asking her out because

plan was

the notion

desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my

lay bare my