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.

situation with Justin

reluctant to confide

Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out on her

want to rob her

on this team knows, and she is the only one

prayed for wisdom to get

and I proceeded in

us, offering respectful greetings,

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

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

it was

within Grizlo was extensive, and the community there held a deep

compelled our return to this place cast a sombre

into the cafeteria, Justin and I,

exactly my preference, but I was prepared

and water hardly constituted a satisfying

a corner,

sure you’re aware of the reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned

concerning Sophia, I

puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about their

evident, and he was almost

Marvin were frequently seen

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

like family,

and his siblings are

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

think is going on in her head? The both of you went from not being able

see it? It is wrong to use

revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She

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

we’re

this now before it escalates and jeopardises

encounter conflicts, they

trust you’ve studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of

falsely accused Adrik of

his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who

for a substitute,” he

‘substitute’ had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in

this word had become linked to

my head and directed my

understand your concern, but you can trust

are authentic,” I

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

“Yes, Justin.

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

have since

weren’t spoken

You meant them.

a constant presence, and yet

Oliver have been upfront about

were with Sophia

missing, you suddenly start

pressed, causing me to

genuinely care for

I truly do.

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

took me some time to untangle my

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

felt like a natural

grasp

had a concept of what they entailed,

my

an incredible person, and being around her

believing I had deeper

or asking her out because I held out hope of meeting

I reached eighteen and still hadn’t found her, my plan was to

week, and the notion of waiting

get that aspect of my

to speak with her, to lay bare my