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.

situation with Justin

to

did not want to tell Josephine anything; I wanted her to find out

rob her of the feeling

she is the only one that does not know,

messy, but I prayed

and I

us, offering respectful greetings,

were

me that, despite being the Beta, I garnered more reverence

was an

the

return to this place cast a sombre shadow

Justin and I, purchasing some

cuisine wasn’t exactly my preference, but I was

offering of sandwiches and water hardly constituted

a corner, we

you’re aware of the reason I asked to speak with you,” Justin inquired

matter concerning Sophia, I hadn’t committed

puzzled as to why others weren’t receiving similar inquiries about their

evident, and he was almost always by her

were frequently

differently? Was I not allowed to form a connection as well?

like family,

Alexei and his siblings are like family,

understand you are hurting and miss Sophia so much, but relying on Josephine for

going on in her head? The both of you went from

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

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

she matters, but we both know

we’re all in

now before it escalates and

we encounter conflicts, they will extend to

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

accused Adrik of treason to eliminate

Lord Alexei, his siblings, Eric, and ten Stepanov families who resolved that

create another problem because you were looking for a substitute,” he warned, and that word ‘substitute’

in the

had become linked

and directed my gaze at my

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

are authentic,” I asserted, and he let out a

how they were sincere the last time we discussed Sophia?” he

“Yes, Justin.

would reject my fated if the situation ever arose,” I responded, knowing that those words had indeed escaped my lips and had crossed my

have

spoken in

You meant them.

a constant presence, and yet you never

and Oliver have been upfront about their

with

you suddenly start spending

won’t notice?” he pressed, causing me to shake my

care

I truly do.

doubts, and it’s your prerogative not

time to untangle my feelings

express those sentiments, but I believe my emotions for her

felt like a

grasp the intricacies

of what they entailed, but I was

my infatuation

an incredible person, and

might have misled me into believing I

from pursuing Sophia or asking her out because I held

her, my plan was to wait until Sophia

something changed during graduation week, and the

get that

with her, to lay bare my feelings, but the universe had its