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.

address the situation

reluctant to confide

Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out on

rob her of

on this team knows, and she is the only one that does

but I prayed for wisdom to get through

I

offering respectful

a consequence of recognition—people were aware

despite being the Beta, I

was

within Grizlo was extensive, and the community there

compelled our return to this place cast

Justin and I, purchasing some food

preference, but I was prepared to

offering of sandwiches and

into a corner, we settled into

of the reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired calmly, and I feigned a lack

concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed any

as to why others weren’t receiving similar

was almost always by her side when she

were frequently seen

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

is like family,

his siblings are

alliance 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

you think is going on in her head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other and never speaking to

think we can’t see it? It

to revert seamlessly? How do you think that will impact Josephine? She holds affection

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

we’re all

advice is that you end this now before it escalates and

if we encounter conflicts, they

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

Adrik of

and ten Stepanov families who resolved that

problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and

Josephine in the

word had become linked to my relationship with

and directed

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

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

we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I

“Yes, Justin.

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

have since

spoken in haste,

You meant them.

been a constant presence,

Miles, and Oliver have been upfront about

were with Sophia

missing, you suddenly start spending time with

notice?” he pressed, causing me to shake my head in

care

I truly do.

doubts, and it’s your prerogative not

took me some time to untangle my

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

felt like

grasp the intricacies of relationships

of what

misinterpreted my infatuation

and

me into believing I had

or asking her out because I held out hope

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

week, and the notion of waiting didn’t

had a desire to accelerate things, to get

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