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

reluctant to confide

to tell Josephine anything; I wanted

not want to rob her of the

this team knows, and she is the only

was messy, but I prayed for

and I proceeded in

offering respectful

of recognition—people were aware of our identities, mine

with me that, despite being the Beta,

it was

the community there held

compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow

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

my preference, but I was prepared to make

and water

for a table tucked into a corner, we settled into

with you,” Justin inquired

concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries

he was almost always by her

and Marvin were frequently seen with

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

like family,

and his siblings are like family,

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

you went from not being able to stand each other and

can’t see it? It is

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

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

we’re all

advice is that you end this now before it escalates

we encounter conflicts, they will extend to

studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially

falsely accused Adrik of treason

siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov

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

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

word had become

and directed my gaze

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

intentions are sincere, and my feelings for her are

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

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have

words weren’t spoken

You meant them.

constant presence, and

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have

were with

is missing, you suddenly start spending time with

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

genuinely care for

I truly do.

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

time to untangle my feelings

express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity and the expectation of the next logical

like a natural

that point, I didn’t grasp the

concept of

my infatuation

person, and being around her was

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

pursuing Sophia or asking her out

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

changed during graduation week, and the notion of waiting didn’t feel right

get that

speak with her, to lay bare my feelings,