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

to confide in Josephine

Josephine anything; I wanted her to find

want to rob her of the feeling

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

messy, but I prayed for wisdom to get through

and I

us, offering respectful greetings, particularly directed

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

with me that, despite being

was an

extensive, and the community there held a

compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow

into the cafeteria, Justin and I,

exactly my preference, but I was prepared

of sandwiches and

a table tucked into a corner,

asked to speak with

the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

why others weren’t receiving

was almost always by her

were frequently seen with

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

is like family,

siblings are like

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

from not being able to stand

It is wrong to use

seamlessly? How do

a convincing job of showing her she matters, but

we’re all

end this now before it

me, if we encounter conflicts, they will extend to our

well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of

Adrik of treason to eliminate

Eric, and

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

in the morning, then Noah at my

had become

directed my gaze

trust that

and my feelings for her are authentic,” I asserted, and

like how they were sincere the last time we

“Yes, Justin.

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

circumstances have

spoken

You meant them.

has been a constant presence, and yet you never pursued

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about

were with Sophia

you suddenly start spending time with

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

care for

I truly do.

doubts, and it’s your prerogative not to

time to untangle my

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

like

I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships or

concept of what they entailed, but I

my

and being

have misled me into believing I had deeper feelings,” I

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

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

graduation week, and the notion of waiting didn’t

to accelerate things, to get that

her, to lay bare