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.

his cousin to utilise the

all, the timeline for him selecting a Luna remained

taking his time in

standing in the centre of the room,

space was passable for a Luna, although all of us

“So, spill it.

the deal with Liam?” she inquired, her

fully aware that she had been itching to ask that question

do you want to know?” I countered, feeling my cheeks

was enough to make me

had been a whirlwind, and our chances

had only intensified as a

and evidence that left us exhausted by day’s

of spending genuine quality time with Liam

is my cousin, and I know of Sophia, so I want to know why you will allow yourself to get carried away,” she responded, her tone

offered her a smile, touched by

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

“You weren’t there, Jo.

she went missing, he was

never seen Liam that shattered

emotions ran incredibly deep, and those kind of feelings

me off guard, as I

really that intense?” I

“Worse.

have an impact

be painful to

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

nodded, choosing to

was no point in arguing; she had firsthand experience and likely had a better

her out?” I managed

Charlotte shrugged in response.

always focused on

time for that sort of thing; none of us really

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

situation was

Sophia, he hadn’t

me, he had

me, and that was what truly

don’t need to worry about Sophia

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

taken aback, and I affirmed her surprise

realisation seemed to

asked you out?” she inquired,

“Yeah,” I responded.

she pressed

ago, right after

was nothing romantic between him and Sophia, they were

have feelings for her, but

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

so it’s understandable,” I

long,” she

other our entire lives,” I corrected, and

affection for Liam, even

held a special place for him, though not necessarily in the realm

memories included countless gatherings and playing in the garden’s

them to overlook these facts and insinuate that I had suddenly

reality, Sophia was

“I’m sorry, Jo.

stung,” Charlotte apologised, sensing

to tears because it seemed they just forgot that I was

had always been

out

formed a

“I apologise, Jo.

Sophia in that

realise how insensitive that

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

else was forming pairs, we were

a fantastic match, but Sophia was always

of him,” she added, and in that

one more

of you handle it if a fated shows up?” she

infrequent phenomenon, fated connections have become more common over