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.

couldn’t address the situation with Justin without disclosing

to

to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her

not want to rob her of the feeling

knows, and she is the only one that

I prayed for wisdom to

I

toward us, offering respectful greetings,

of recognition—people were aware of our identities, mine

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

was an anticipated

was extensive, and the community

our return to

Justin and I, purchasing some food

exactly my preference, but I was prepared to make

of sandwiches and water hardly constituted

tucked into a

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

the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

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

evident, and he was almost always by her

were frequently seen with

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

like family,

and his siblings are like

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

of you went from not being

you think we can’t see it? It is

Do you expect to revert seamlessly? How do you

showing her she matters, but we both know that Sophia

we’re all in

advice is that you end this now before

if we encounter conflicts,

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

Adrik of treason to eliminate

siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who resolved that

not create another problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that word

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

how this word had become linked to my

directed my gaze

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

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

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

“Yes, Justin.

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

have since

words weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

a constant presence, and yet you

Oliver have been upfront

were with

missing, you suddenly start spending

pressed, causing me to shake my

care for Josephine,

I truly do.

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

to

but I believe my emotions for her were born out of familiarity and the

felt like a

point, I didn’t grasp the intricacies of

of what they entailed, but I was

misinterpreted my infatuation

and

misled me into believing I

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

plan was to wait until Sophia turned eighteen before making any

the notion of

to accelerate things, to get that aspect

to speak with her, to lay bare my feelings,