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.

made sense for his cousin

all, the timeline for him selecting a Luna remained

appeared to be taking his time in

in the centre of

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

“So, spill it.

with Liam?” she inquired, her

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

I countered, feeling

of Liam was enough

two days had been a whirlwind, and

longing had only intensified as

with paperwork and

spending genuine quality time with Liam was becoming increasingly

I want to know why you will allow yourself

smile, touched by her

Sophia,” I reassured, to which she shook her

“You weren’t there, Jo.

went missing,

seen Liam

and those kind of feelings

revelation caught me off guard, as I had never been

it really that intense?” I inquired, genuinely surprised,

“Worse.

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

be painful to witness your heart

away,” she warned, her words sinking

nodded, choosing to keep my

experience and likely had a better grasp

ever ask her out?” I managed to inquire, seeking to understand

Charlotte shrugged in response.

always focused on his studies and his

wasn’t time for that sort of thing; none of us really had

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

situation

for Sophia, he hadn’t

me, he had acted

a move on me,

need to

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

a chance,” she disputed, clearly taken aback, and I affirmed her surprise with a

realisation seemed to widen

actually asked you out?” she

“Yeah,” I responded.

she pressed

mornings ago, right after

me there was nothing romantic between him and

feelings for her, but that’s all in

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

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

she commented, and I felt

each other our entire lives,”

had always held an affection for Liam, even from

special place for him, though not

countless gatherings

overlook these facts and insinuate that

reality, Sophia was the

“I’m sorry, Jo.

words stung,” Charlotte apologised,

I managed, close to tears

always

out to hug

arms formed a bond of understanding

“I apologise, Jo.

Sophia

how

cheering for the both of you,” she conveyed,

were secretly hoping for you two to

fantastic match, but Sophia was always in the

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

one

handle it if a fated shows up?” she asked, posing the

connections have become more common over the