The Dark Side Of Fate

Going On ~Josephine~ The kappas coming from Lucland didn’t reach Grizlo Hospital until late, subjecting us all to a lengthy and tense wait.

When they finally did arrive, Charlotte couldn’t contain her joy.

Meanwhile, I observed Justin issuing them instructions, my only thought being an earnest desire to depart from that place.

Before long, we were on our way back to the packhouse, with hunger and fatigue weighing heavily on all of us.

“What comes next?” Marvin inquired, prompting a chuckle from Justin.

“Merely your first day, and exhaustion has already set in.

Imagine if you had to work under an Alpha known for their workaholic tendencies.

Would you feel similarly then?” he remarked, eliciting laughter from Liam.

“I must say our empty stomachs pose a predicament.

Even the most industrious of Alphas must heed the call of hunger,” Liam added with a grin, inciting amusement all around.

Justin took a turn and branched at a diner to satiate our immediate needs.

The moment we entered the place, the patrons had their eyes on us.

They looked at us as if we weren’t like them.

Marvin, Oliver and Liam had it easy because they smiled at them and greeted them, but even though they greeted us, too, the difference was there.

Liam got a booth for us, and I snuggled into the corner with him.

Something I had noticed so far was being around Liam felt right.

He made me feel calm and at ease.

I think I closed my eyes a bit to savour the feeling because the moment I opened them, Charlotte was sitting across from us with a disapproving look on her face.

I honestly wondered what her deal was.

Having placed our orders, we consumed our meal in a hushed atmosphere.

“Our parents, will head to Lucland tomorrow night, and the council meeting will take place the following day.

We won’t be able to do much until after the meeting.

We will use that time to go through the files made available by the Gamma.

I implore that we all remain in the packhouse while we await further instruction,” Justin implored as our meal neared its end.

I could not help but notice all eyes were on Liam and me, meaning we were most likely to break the rule.

I liked it.

TWO DAYS LATER.

Unlike previous occasions, the council assembly remained untelevised, leaving me curious as to the reason behind this choice.

We had congregated in a communal space to observe the meeting’s proceedings, anticipating insights into our forthcoming actions, but the fact that it wasn’t televised made it disappointing.

After a while, King Sylvester called Liam on the phone.

Everyone’s phone rang except for Charlotte and me— signifying that our instructions had been dispensed.

I had assumed my father would call me, yet my phone remained conspicuously silent.

Similarly, Charlotte’s phone didn’t ring, and a sense of unease crept over us.

The situation seemed unjust, to say the least.

We were integral members of the team, and yet, either our presence was deemed nonessential, or we were relegated to mere order-takers.

The sentiment gnawed at me, fostering a sensation of diminished significance.

“Want to spend some time in my room?” Charlotte suggested, prompting me to glance at Liam.

He appeared deeply engrossed in conversation with his father, implying a protracted dialogue.

Despite my reluctance to depart, I nodded in agreement.

We headed to Charlotte’s room, and it was apparent that the space she had chosen was originally designated for the Luna on the Alpha floor.

Her commitment to making herself at home seemed unwavering.

I suppose the fact that Justin lacked a Luna made the situation permissible.

for his cousin to utilise the

him

to be taking his

in the centre of

for a Luna, although all of us

“So, spill it.

the deal with Liam?” she inquired, her

that she had been itching to ask that

know?” I countered,

of Liam was enough to

two days had been a whirlwind, and our

only intensified as a

with paperwork and evidence that left us

prospect of spending genuine quality time

I want to know why you will allow yourself to get carried away,”

a smile, touched by

nothing between him and Sophia,” I reassured, to which she shook her

“You weren’t there, Jo.

she went missing, he

Liam that shattered

deep, and those kind of

revelation caught me off guard, as I had never been privy to this

I inquired,

“Worse.

because they might have an impact on you,

painful to witness

away,” she warned, her words sinking

choosing to keep my unease

point in arguing; she had firsthand experience and likely had a better grasp on

I managed to inquire, seeking to

Charlotte shrugged in response.

focused on his studies

for that sort of thing; none of us really

and then you came along,” she offered, injecting a

my situation

felt for Sophia, he hadn’t taken any steps in

with me, he had

on me, and that was

don’t need to worry

and we’re officially dating now,” I stated with a touch of

a chance,” she disputed, clearly taken aback, and I

realisation seemed to widen

asked you out?” she inquired, seeking

“Yeah,” I responded.

she pressed

ago, right

nothing romantic between him and Sophia, they

he used to have feelings for her, but that’s all

us because he doesn’t want the

she’s his friend, so it’s understandable,” I explained,

known each other for so long,” she

entire lives,” I corrected, and a

affection for Liam, even from my

place for him, though

collective memories included countless gatherings and playing in the garden’s

overlook these facts and insinuate

Sophia was

“I’m sorry, Jo.

realise my words stung,”

along,” I managed, close to tears because it seemed they just forgot

always

out to

each other tightly, our arms formed a bond of

“I apologise, Jo.

Sophia in that context

realise how insensitive

cheering for the both of you,” she conveyed, releasing me from

was forming pairs, we were secretly hoping for you two

it would be a fantastic match, but Sophia was always

now recognises what’s right in front of him,” she added, and in that moment,

and one more

you handle it if a fated shows up?” she asked,

connections have become