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 room

him selecting a

be taking his time in that

shut the door behind her, leaving me standing in the centre of the room, taking

for a Luna, although all

“So, spill it.

Liam?” she

her, fully aware that she had been itching to ask that question for

I

was enough to

a whirlwind, and our chances to be

had only intensified as a

and evidence that left us exhausted by day’s

genuine quality time with Liam was

I know of Sophia, so I want to know

a smile,

between him and Sophia,” I reassured, to which she

“You weren’t there, Jo.

missing, he was

Liam

ran incredibly deep, and those kind of feelings

revelation caught me off guard, as I had never been

I inquired, genuinely surprised, and

“Worse.

they might have an impact on you, but

would be painful to witness your heart getting

just fade away,”

choosing to keep

she had firsthand experience and likely had a better grasp on Liam’s connection with

ever ask her out?” I

Charlotte shrugged in response.

always focused on his studies and his

sort of thing; none

think now things might be different, and then you came along,” she offered, injecting a

situation was

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

with me, he had acted

had made a move on me, and

don’t need to worry

been upfront about his intentions with me, and we’re officially dating now,” I stated with a touch of

clearly taken aback, and I affirmed her surprise with a

seemed to widen

out?”

“Yeah,” I responded.

she pressed

mornings ago, right after

was nothing romantic between him and Sophia, they

to have feelings for her, but

about us because he doesn’t want the search for her

so it’s understandable,” I explained, and

for so long,” she

other our entire lives,”

for Liam,

had always held a special place for him, though not necessarily in

memories included countless gatherings and

facts and insinuate that

reality, Sophia was the

“I’m sorry, Jo.

stung,” Charlotte apologised,

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

always

out to hug

our arms formed a bond of understanding

“I apologise, Jo.

won’t mention Sophia

how insensitive that

know that I’m cheering for the both of you,” she conveyed, releasing me from the

were secretly hoping for

be a fantastic match, but Sophia was always

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

one more

would the two of you handle it if a fated shows

once an infrequent phenomenon, fated connections