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

was reluctant to confide in Josephine

anything; I wanted her to find

not want to rob her of the feeling of

she is the only one that does not know, I believe it would

prayed for wisdom to get

I

offering respectful

a consequence of recognition—people were aware of our identities, mine

me that, despite being the Beta,

it was an anticipated

and the

contemplation of the events that had compelled our return to

Justin and I, purchasing some

preference, but

meagre offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted a satisfying

into a corner,

with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned a lack of

beyond the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t

to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries

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

and Marvin were frequently seen with

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

like

and his siblings are like

irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying

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

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

of showing her she matters, but we both know that Sophia is your sole

we’re

end this now before

conflicts,

including the Volkovs and Stepanovs,

of

and

you were looking for a substitute,”

term ‘substitute’ had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in

pondered how this word had become linked to my relationship

and directed my gaze at

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

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

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

“Yes, Justin.

arose,” I responded,

circumstances have since

spoken in

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet you

Marvin, Miles, and Oliver have

with Sophia

missing, you suddenly start spending time

pressed,

care

I truly do.

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

took me some time to

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

like a

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

concept of what they

my

is an incredible person, and being around her was

into believing I had

I refrained from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held out hope of meeting

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

week, and the notion of waiting didn’t feel

to accelerate things, to get that aspect of my

intended to speak with her, to lay bare my feelings, but the universe