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 confide in Josephine

I wanted her to find out on

to rob her

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

prayed for

I proceeded in

turned their attention toward us, offering respectful

of recognition—people were

with me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more

was an

was extensive, and the community there held a deep affection for

our return to this place

Justin and I, purchasing some

wasn’t exactly my preference, but

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted a satisfying

a corner,

reason I asked to speak with

concerning Sophia,

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

and he was almost always by her side when she

Marvin were frequently seen

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

is like

his siblings are

forged that friendship and alliance through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand

both of you went from not being able to stand each other and

It is wrong to use people

do you think will happen when we find Sophia Li? Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection for

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

we’re

advice is that you end this now before it escalates and jeopardises our

we encounter conflicts, they

history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the

falsely accused Adrik of treason to

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

you were looking for a

Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my grandparent’s home, and

had become linked to my relationship with

directed my gaze at

trust

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

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

“Yes, Justin.

ever arose,” I responded,

circumstances have

words weren’t spoken

You meant them.

been a constant presence, and yet you

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have been upfront

with

Sophia is missing, you suddenly start spending time with

won’t notice?” he pressed, causing me to shake

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

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

time to untangle my feelings

my emotions for her were born

felt like a natural

didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

had a concept of what

misinterpreted my infatuation

and being

might have misled me into believing I had

Sophia or asking her out because

my plan was

changed during graduation week, and the notion of

accelerate things, to get that

her, to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had its