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

timeline for him

appeared to be taking his

standing in the centre of the room,

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

“So, spill it.

Liam?” she inquired,

glanced at her, fully aware that she had been itching to

you want to know?” I

of Liam was enough to make

a whirlwind, and our

had only intensified as a

had kept us occupied with paperwork and evidence that

of spending genuine quality time with Liam was becoming

know of Sophia, so I want to know why

smile, touched by

him and Sophia,” I reassured, to which she

“You weren’t there, Jo.

missing,

never seen Liam that

incredibly deep, and those kind of feelings tend to linger,”

guard, as I had never been privy to this

that intense?” I inquired, genuinely surprised,

“Worse.

because they might have an impact on

be painful to witness

just fade away,” she warned,

choosing to keep my unease

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

didn’t he ever ask her out?” I managed to inquire, seeking to understand

Charlotte shrugged in response.

on his

sort of thing; none of us really

then you came along,” she offered, injecting a

my situation was

felt for Sophia, he

me, he had acted

on me, and

don’t need to worry about

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

taken aback, and I affirmed

realisation seemed to widen her

actually asked you out?” she inquired,

“Yeah,” I responded.

pressed for

ago, right

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

he used to have feelings for her, but

quiet about us because he doesn’t

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

long,” she commented, and I felt the need

our entire lives,”

for Liam, even

him, though not necessarily

memories included countless gatherings

to overlook these facts and

Sophia was the

“I’m sorry, Jo.

words stung,” Charlotte apologised, sensing my

there all along,” I managed, close to tears

had always been

reached out to hug

formed a

“I apologise, Jo.

Sophia in

realise how insensitive that

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

else was forming pairs, we were secretly hoping for you

would be a fantastic match,

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

and one

if a fated shows up?” she asked, posing

once an infrequent phenomenon, fated connections have