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 disclosing the truth about

reluctant to confide

tell Josephine anything; I wanted her

did not want to rob her of the feeling of

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

was messy, but I prayed for

and I proceeded in

toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed at

recognition—people were aware of

me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more

was an anticipated

was extensive, and the community there held a

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

stepped into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing

my preference, but I

of sandwiches and water hardly constituted

a corner, we settled into our

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

concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about their

attachment to Elaine was evident, and he was almost always

were frequently seen with the Corrigan

differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What is with you and Jo?” he asked, and I did not know how to

is like

Alexei and his siblings

and 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

head? The both of you went from

think we can’t see it? It

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

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

we’re all

you end this now before it

conflicts, they will extend to

the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our

Adrik of treason to

siblings, Eric, and

looking for a substitute,” he warned, and

day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah

how this word had become

directed my gaze at my

you can trust that Josephine’s

intentions are sincere, and my feelings for her are authentic,” I

were sincere the last time we

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have since

weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and

have been upfront about their

were with

is missing, you suddenly start

won’t notice?” he pressed,

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

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

some time to untangle my feelings concerning

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

felt like a

didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships or

a concept of what they entailed, but I

misinterpreted my infatuation as

and being around her

misled me into believing I had deeper feelings,”

time, I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because

and still hadn’t found her, my plan was to wait until Sophia

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

to accelerate things, to get

lay bare