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

to

I wanted her to find out

not want to rob her

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

prayed for wisdom

I

turned their attention toward us, offering respectful greetings, particularly

was a consequence of recognition—people were aware

sit well with me that, despite being the Beta, I

was an

and the community there

the contemplation of the events that had compelled our return to this place cast a sombre

and I, purchasing some food upon

cuisine wasn’t exactly my preference, but I

and water hardly constituted a satisfying

into a corner, we settled into our

you’re aware of the reason I asked to speak with you,”

concerning Sophia,

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

evident, and he was almost always

frequently seen with

differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What is

is like family,

Alexei and his siblings are

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 and bandage

is going on in her head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other and

you think we can’t see it? It is

to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection for you; it’s evident

matters, but we both

we’re

advice is that you end this now before it

conflicts, they

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

of treason

was Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov

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

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

how this word had become linked to my relationship

shook my head and directed my gaze at my

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

sincere, and my feelings for her are authentic,” I asserted, and he let out

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

“Yes, Justin.

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

have

words weren’t spoken in haste,

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet

and Oliver have been upfront

with

you suddenly start spending

you truly believe people won’t notice?” he pressed, causing

care

I truly do.

doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to believe

time to

believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity and

felt like a natural

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

concept of what they entailed, but I

my infatuation

incredible person, and being

have misled me into believing I had deeper

asking her out because I held out hope of meeting

plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen before making any

graduation week, and the notion of waiting didn’t

accelerate things, to get that

bare my