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

all, the timeline for him selecting a

taking his time in

behind her, leaving me standing in the centre of

although all of us had more luxurious

“So, spill it.

with Liam?” she inquired,

she had been itching to ask that question for

I countered,

was

been a whirlwind, and our chances to be together had

had only intensified

had kept us occupied with paperwork and evidence that left us

of spending genuine quality time with Liam was becoming increasingly

of Sophia, so I want to know why you will allow yourself to get

her a smile, touched by her

I reassured,

“You weren’t there, Jo.

she went missing, he

never seen Liam that shattered

kind

caught me off guard, as I had never been

that intense?” I inquired, genuinely surprised,

“Worse.

can’t share all the details because they might have an impact on you, but you need

be painful to witness your heart

away,” she warned, her

to keep my

and likely

out?” I managed to inquire, seeking to understand

Charlotte shrugged in response.

on his studies and

thing; none of

be different, and then

my situation was

for Sophia,

with me, he had

me, and that was what

I don’t need to worry about Sophia

now,” I stated with a touch of

taken aback, and I affirmed her surprise

seemed to

actually asked you out?” she inquired,

“Yeah,” I responded.

pressed

ago, right after

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

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

kept quiet about us because he doesn’t want the

she’s his friend, so it’s understandable,”

she commented, and I felt the need to

each other our entire lives,” I corrected, and a silence

held an affection for Liam, even from my

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

collective memories included countless gatherings and playing in

felt unjust for them to overlook these facts and insinuate

reality, Sophia was

“I’m sorry, Jo.

stung,” Charlotte apologised, sensing

I managed, close to tears because it seemed they just forgot

always been

out to hug

our arms formed

“I apologise, Jo.

mention Sophia in that context

how insensitive that

of you,” she conveyed, releasing me from

was forming pairs, we were secretly hoping for you

that it would be a fantastic match,

right in front of him,” she added, and in that moment, my heart found

and one more

of you handle it if a fated shows

once an infrequent phenomenon, fated connections have become more common