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.

cousin to utilise the room

timeline for him selecting a Luna

taking

leaving me standing in the centre of the room, taking in the

Luna, although all of us had more luxurious

“So, spill it.

with Liam?”

that she had been itching to ask that question

do you want to know?” I

thought of Liam was

days had been a whirlwind, and our chances to

had only intensified as

occupied with paperwork and evidence

of spending genuine quality time with

know of Sophia, so I want to know why

her a smile, touched

nothing between him and Sophia,” I

“You weren’t there, Jo.

missing, he

Liam that shattered

emotions ran incredibly deep, and those kind of feelings tend to

off guard, as I had

it really that intense?” I inquired, genuinely

“Worse.

because they might have an impact on you, but you need

painful to witness your

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

to

had firsthand experience and likely had a better

I managed to inquire, seeking to understand

Charlotte shrugged in response.

was always focused on his studies and

for that sort of thing; none of us

things might be different, and then you came

my situation

Sophia, he hadn’t taken any

with me, he had acted

on me, and that was what truly

need to worry about

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

taken aback, and I affirmed her surprise with a

seemed to widen her

actually asked you out?” she inquired,

“Yeah,” I responded.

she pressed for

mornings ago, right

was nothing romantic between him

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

because he doesn’t want the search for her

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

known each other for so long,” she commented,

other our entire lives,” I corrected,

always held an affection for

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

memories included countless gatherings

felt unjust for them to overlook these facts and insinuate that I had suddenly appeared out of

reality, Sophia was

“I’m sorry, Jo.

realise my words stung,” Charlotte apologised, sensing

along,” I managed, close to tears because it seemed they just forgot that I was

had always

reached out to hug

arms formed a bond of understanding

“I apologise, Jo.

Sophia

realise how

for the both of you,” she

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

a fantastic match, but Sophia was

in front of him,” she added, and in

and one

handle it if a fated shows up?”

connections have