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.

sense for his cousin to

for him selecting a

be taking his time in that

standing in the centre of the room, taking in the

space was passable for a Luna, although all of us had more luxurious

“So, spill it.

Liam?” she inquired, her

aware that she had been itching to ask

I countered, feeling my cheeks

Liam was

two days had been a whirlwind, and our chances to be together had been

longing had only

with paperwork and evidence that left us exhausted by

prospect of spending genuine quality time with Liam was becoming

I want to know why you will allow yourself to

a smile,

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

“You weren’t there, Jo.

missing, he was

never seen Liam that

emotions ran incredibly deep, and those kind of feelings tend

me off guard, as I

intense?” I inquired,

“Worse.

the details because they might have an impact on you, but you need to

would be painful to witness your heart

that don’t just fade away,” she warned, her

to

firsthand experience and likely had a

I managed to inquire,

Charlotte shrugged in response.

focused on his studies and his

that sort of thing; none of us really

things might be different, and then you came along,” she offered,

situation

they said he felt for Sophia, he hadn’t

with me, he had acted

move on me, and that was

I don’t need to

officially dating now,” I stated with a touch of pride, causing her to gasp

chance,” she disputed, clearly taken aback, and I affirmed her surprise with a

seemed to widen her

out?” she

“Yeah,” I responded.

pressed for

mornings ago, right after

romantic between

have feelings for her, but that’s all in

guess is he’s kept quiet about us because he doesn’t want the search for her to

so it’s understandable,”

for so long,” she

our entire lives,” I corrected, and a

always held an affection for Liam, even from my earliest

him, though not necessarily in the

memories included countless gatherings and playing in the

and insinuate that I had suddenly appeared out

reality, Sophia was the

“I’m sorry, Jo.

words stung,” Charlotte apologised,

to tears because it seemed

had always been

reached out to

arms formed a bond of understanding and

“I apologise, Jo.

won’t mention Sophia in that context

realise how

cheering for the both of you,”

were secretly hoping for you

sensed that it would be a fantastic match, but Sophia was always in the

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

and one more

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

phenomenon, fated connections have become more common