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.

inevitable since I couldn’t address the situation with Justin

was reluctant to

Josephine anything; I

did not want to rob her of the feeling

this team knows, and she is the only one that does not know,

was messy, but I prayed for wisdom to get through

I

their attention toward us, offering respectful

recognition—people were aware of our identities,

that, despite being the Beta, I garnered

was an

and the community there held a deep affection

the contemplation of the events that had compelled our return to this place cast a sombre shadow over the

into the cafeteria, Justin and I, purchasing some food upon

wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was

of sandwiches and water hardly constituted

a corner, we settled into

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

beyond the matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

me puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving

he was almost always by her side when

were frequently seen with

connection as well? “What is with you and

like family,

Alexei and his siblings are

through fire and blood; why would you want to act irresponsibly? I understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying

her head? The both of you went from not being able to stand each other and never speaking to each other to

think we can’t see it? It is wrong to use people

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

she matters, but we both know that Sophia is your

we’re all

this now before

we encounter conflicts, they will extend to our

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

accused Adrik of treason

his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov

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

term ‘substitute’ had surfaced thrice that day—first from Josephine in the morning, then Noah at my

word had become linked to my

directed my gaze at my

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

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

how they were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he questioned, and I averted

“Yes, Justin.

arose,” I responded, knowing that

have since

words weren’t spoken in

You meant them.

constant presence, and yet you never pursued

have been upfront about their

with Sophia

missing, you suddenly start spending time with

notice?” he pressed, causing me to shake

care

I truly do.

your prerogative not to believe me,

some time to untangle my feelings

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

like a natural

I didn’t grasp the intricacies of relationships

a concept of what they entailed, but

my infatuation as

incredible person, and being around her

believing I had deeper feelings,” I conveyed, meeting his

Sophia or asking her out

my plan was to wait until

during graduation week, and the

things, to get that aspect of my

lay bare