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

not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her

to rob her

she is the only one that

but I prayed for

I proceeded in

attention toward us, offering

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

me that, despite being the

it was an anticipated

within Grizlo was extensive, and the community there held a

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

cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some

wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was

of sandwiches and water

into a

to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly,

matter concerning Sophia, I

me puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar

evident, and he was almost always by

Marvin were frequently seen with the Corrigan

my situation treated differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well? “What

is like family,

siblings

would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so

went from not

It is wrong to use people

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

her she matters, but we both

we’re all in

now before it escalates and

if we encounter conflicts, they will extend

trust you’ve studied history well, including the Volkovs and Stepanovs, especially the actions of our great-great- grandfather,

of treason to

and ten Stepanov families

looking for a substitute,” he warned, and

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

this word had become linked

shook my head and directed

understand your concern, but you can trust that

her are authentic,” I

last time we discussed Sophia?”

“Yes, Justin.

say I would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words

have since

weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet you never pursued

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about their

with

that Sophia is missing, you suddenly

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

genuinely care for Josephine,

I truly do.

you have doubts, and it’s your prerogative

time to untangle my

opportunity to express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her were born out

felt like a

I didn’t grasp

I had a concept of what they entailed, but I was

misinterpreted my infatuation

incredible person, and being around her was

I had deeper feelings,” I

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

plan was

the notion of waiting didn’t

get that aspect of my life settled and move

speak with her, to lay bare my feelings,