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

timeline for him selecting a

appeared to be taking

door behind her, leaving me standing in

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

“So, spill it.

the deal with Liam?”

she had been itching to ask that question for a

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

of Liam was enough to make

been a whirlwind, and our chances to be

only intensified as a

with paperwork and evidence that left us exhausted

of spending genuine quality time with Liam was

is my cousin, and I know of Sophia, so I want to know

smile, touched

nothing between him and Sophia,” I reassured,

“You weren’t there, Jo.

missing, he

seen Liam that shattered

and those kind of feelings tend

I had

really that intense?” I inquired,

“Worse.

the details because they might have an impact on

painful to witness your

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

to

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

her out?” I managed to inquire,

Charlotte shrugged in response.

always focused on

for that sort of thing; none

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

situation was

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

with me, he had

move on me, and that was what truly

need to worry about

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

taken aback, and I affirmed her

to widen

actually asked you out?”

“Yeah,” I responded.

pressed

mornings ago,

between him and

to have feelings for her, but that’s all in the past

us because he

friend, so it’s understandable,” I explained, and her astonishment

long,” she commented,

lives,” I corrected, and a

for Liam, even

held a special place for him, though not

memories included countless gatherings and playing in the garden’s

to overlook these facts and insinuate that I had

Sophia was

“I’m sorry, Jo.

realise my words stung,” Charlotte apologised,

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

had always been

out

formed a bond of understanding

“I apologise, Jo.

won’t mention Sophia

how insensitive

the both of you,” she conveyed, releasing

else was forming pairs, we were secretly hoping for you two to come

be a fantastic

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

one more

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

an infrequent phenomenon, fated connections have become