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.

was inevitable since I couldn’t address the situation with Justin

was reluctant to confide in Josephine

to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out on her

want to rob her

is the only one that does

messy, but I prayed for wisdom to get

and I proceeded in

their attention toward us, offering respectful

of recognition—people were aware of

despite being the

was an anticipated

history within Grizlo was extensive, and the community

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

and I, purchasing some

cuisine wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was prepared to make

and water hardly constituted a satisfying

for a table tucked into a corner,

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

matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

others weren’t

to Elaine was evident, and he was almost always by her side when

Marvin were frequently

as well? “What is

is like

his siblings are like family,

understand you are hurting and miss Sophia

her head? The both of you went from not being able to stand

it? It is wrong

think will happen when we find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact

do a convincing job of showing her she matters, but

why we’re all

advice is that you end this now before it

if we encounter conflicts, they will extend to

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

accused Adrik of treason

Eric, and ten Stepanov families who

you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that

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

word had become linked to my relationship with

head and directed my gaze at my

you can trust

her are authentic,” I asserted, and

last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and

“Yes, Justin.

I responded, knowing that those words

have since

spoken in haste,

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet you never pursued

Miles, and Oliver have been

with Sophia

you suddenly start spending time with

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

genuinely care for

I truly do.

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

time to

I believe my emotions for her were

felt like a

grasp the intricacies of

of what they entailed,

my

incredible person, and

misled me into believing I had deeper

from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because

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

and the notion of waiting

accelerate things, to get

lay bare my feelings,