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 utilise the

him selecting a Luna

to be taking his

her, leaving me standing in the centre of the room, taking in the

although all

“So, spill it.

deal with Liam?” she inquired, her

had been itching

know?” I countered, feeling my cheeks heat

thought of Liam was enough to make

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

had only

and evidence that left us exhausted

spending genuine quality time with Liam

cousin, and I know of Sophia, so I want to know why

a smile,

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

“You weren’t there, Jo.

went missing,

never seen Liam that

ran incredibly deep, and those kind of

I had never been privy

intense?” I inquired, genuinely surprised, and she

“Worse.

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

be painful to witness your

away,” she warned, her words sinking

nodded, choosing to keep my

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

out?” I managed to

Charlotte shrugged in response.

on his studies

thing; none of us really had the

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

situation

emotions they said he felt for Sophia, he

with me, he had

on me, and that was what

need to worry about

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

aback, and I

realisation seemed to widen

actually asked you out?” she inquired,

“Yeah,” I responded.

pressed for

ago,

me there was nothing romantic between him and Sophia, they were

used to have feelings for her, but

us because he doesn’t want the search

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

long,” she commented, and I felt the

other our entire lives,” I corrected, and a

an affection for Liam, even from my earliest

him, though not necessarily in the realm

countless gatherings

for them to overlook these facts and insinuate that I had suddenly appeared out of

Sophia was the

“I’m sorry, Jo.

realise my words stung,” Charlotte apologised,

there all along,” I managed, close to tears because it seemed they

had always been

reached out to

our arms formed

“I apologise, Jo.

mention Sophia

how

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

forming pairs, we were secretly hoping

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

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

and one

if a fated shows up?” she

connections have