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.

the situation with

to confide in Josephine

to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her

to rob her of

knows, and she is the only one that does not know, I believe

but I prayed for

and I proceeded in

offering respectful greetings, particularly directed

of recognition—people were aware of

despite being the

was an

Grizlo was extensive, and the community there held a deep

that had compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow over the

and I,

my preference, but I was prepared

offering of sandwiches and water hardly

tucked into a

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

the matter concerning Sophia,

as to why others weren’t receiving

Elaine was evident, and he was

Marvin were frequently

as well? “What is with

like

siblings are like family,

blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on

from not being

it? It is wrong

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

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

why we’re

advice is that you end this now before

me, if we encounter conflicts,

history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our great-great- grandfather,

of

his siblings, Eric, and ten

create another problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned,

had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then

had become linked to

my head and directed my gaze at my

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

for her are authentic,” I asserted, and he let

were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and

“Yes, Justin.

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

have since

words weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

presence,

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about their

with Sophia

missing, you

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

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

understand if you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative

to untangle my

emotions for her were born out of

like a

point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

concept of

my infatuation

person, and being around her

me into believing I had deeper feelings,” I

refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held

plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen before

something changed during graduation week, and the

had a desire to accelerate things, to get that aspect

lay bare my feelings, but the