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.

address the situation with Justin without disclosing the truth about

was reluctant to confide in Josephine

not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out

want to rob her

and she is the only one that does not know,

prayed for wisdom to get through

and I proceeded in

toward us, offering respectful

of recognition—people were aware of our identities, mine in

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

was

the community there held a

our return to this place cast a sombre shadow over

stepped into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food upon

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

sandwiches and water hardly constituted

a table tucked into a

speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned

concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

why others weren’t

evident, and he was almost always by her side when she was

Marvin were frequently seen

to form a connection as well? “What

is like

Alexei and his siblings are like

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

went from not being

It is wrong to

will happen when we find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think

of showing her she matters, but

we’re all in

end this now before

encounter conflicts, they will extend to our

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

accused Adrik of treason to eliminate

Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten

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

in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s

this word had become linked

my head and directed my gaze at

can trust that Josephine’s well-being is genuinely important to

and my feelings for her are authentic,”

how they were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I averted

“Yes, Justin.

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

have since

weren’t spoken

You meant them.

presence, and yet you never

have

with

is missing, you suddenly start spending time

people won’t notice?” he pressed, causing me to shake my head

care

I truly do.

prerogative not to believe me, but

some time to untangle my feelings

emotions for her were born out of familiarity

like a natural

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

a concept of what

misinterpreted my

is an incredible person, and being around

into believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting his

from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because

plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen before making any

something changed during graduation week, and the

get that aspect of my

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