Allie POV
My head was spinning as we walked. Josh explained a little bit about the Alpha Summit and all I could think was, why hadn’t my father told me anything about this? It was taking place so soon after I was to become Alpha. It would be my first public appearance on behalf of the pack, and he’d left me completely unprepared and ill-equipped.
“What happens if I miss the Summit?” I asked.
“I’m guessing your dad will attend as Alpha, seeing as he hasn’t officially been able to pass the pack on to you. Every pack in the region is required by law to attend. If an Alpha can’t attend, they need to apply for permission to send a temporary Alpha or a Beta representative.”
“Apply? Apply to who?”
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Allie POV I watched as Josh kept picking up sticks and branches. He examined them carefully before throwing them aside. He kept this up for a good kilometre or more. It was a welcome distraction, watching his face as he studied them intently. “So, what exactly are you looking for in the perfect stick?” I asked. He smiled at me over his shoulder, and it took me by surprise. He had this cheeky, carefree, boyish quality to him that made my breath hitch. “Well, I want something with a good point on the end, so I can spear a rabbit or something else delicious, but it has to be strong enough that it won’t snap. I’ve had some good contenders, but I’m looking for Mr Lucky.” I picked up a fairly decent looking one and held it up
Allie POVJosh and I wandered a little closer, but still kept our distance, taking it all in. Two creatures about waist height carried torches and lanterns, and hammered them into the ground in a circle. Music played and fae sang and danced merrily with one another.A path cleared, and a tall, thin woman stepped forward. She was dressed in a white robe embroidered with gold floral details, and carried herself with poise and dignity. There was no doubt in my mind this was the Ivory Queen.Her white-blonde hair fell to her shoulders, and her face showed kindness and wisdom. But there was also sadness behind her eyes. It must be terrible to see your people suffer hardships. It was something I hoped to never experience as Alpha.
Allie POVThere it was. The catch I’d been waiting for.I shot Josh a hard look, silently begging him to keep quiet until we’d heard all the details. For all we knew, her task could be to overthrow the Obsidian King ourselves.“Yes, of course. Name it,” Josh hurriedly agreed.I couldn’t help the groan that escaped me. We were locked in now. The fae never reneged on a deal. And as nice as the Ivory Court seemed, I knew they could turn on us just as quickly if they thought we were the enemy.“You do not wish to accept my deal?” asked the Ivory Queen, fixing me with a stern look.“It’s not that. I just would have prefe
Josh POVThe sound of chirping birds woke me, and I reluctantly sat up and stretched in the morning light. With the way time worked in this place, I wasn’t sure whether it had just been a really short night, or the fact I’d lay awake worrying about Allie, that had me feeling so groggy.She’d taken me by surprise when she told me she’d sleep alone. I’d seen her fear at Olive’s and thought I’d been able to help her. But maybe that was all in my head, because the first chance she got to split up, she took it.I called out to Connie, the dryad of the tree I was staying in, and she lowered the branches. I’d never get over how cool it was, the way the tree obeyed her command. Aspen was standing next to Connie as I greeted them both. I looked up at Aspen’s tree.
Allie POVI should have known our conversation about school would end like that. Josh’s life had been completely different to mine in just about every way. He was one of those people who could be friends with anyone, and everyone probably wanted to be his friend, too. Of course he would enjoy the social aspect of school more than anything else. I didn’t want to think about it anymore.A familiar-looking lake came into view ahead of us, and I realised where we were. Olive’s tree was just up ahead. I felt a small jolt of excitement and raced over. Olive heard me coming and spun around with the widest, most genuine smile I think I’d ever seen, plastered to her face.“Oh, my darlings!” she said, embracing me warmly and smiling over my shoulder at Josh. As he got closer, she opened an
Allie POVToday had been the longest day we’d experienced so far, in terms of time. We’d covered good ground once I’d taken over navigation. We were just descending into a valley when I heard a familiar little giggle, and both of us turned our heads to find her.“You!” barked Josh, pointing his finger at Poppy the pixie.She smiled brightly and giggled again, fluttering in front of us.“You tricked us!” Josh continued.“You’re very dramatic today,” she replied lightly. “I was just having fun.”“Fun? Why you little…” Josh shot his hand out, lunging for the flying little pixie in the blue irid
Josh POV I couldn’t get Allie out of my head. She’d fallen asleep a while ago, and I shamelessly watched the rise and fall of her chest and the cute little way she pouted her lips in her sleep. I could have used a nap too, but every time I closed my eyes I saw the way her wet underwear had clung to her as she exited the lake. Her nipples had been hard and pointed through the fabric–just like a certain part of my own anatomy. I heard her move next to me, but wasn’t sure whether I should look. I didn’t want to be too obvious. She’d been sneaking looks at me when she thought I wasn’t watching and I’d been doing the same to her. She moved again and I couldn’t help it. I opened an eye and found her rolled on her side, watching me. “I’ve been waiting for you to wake
Josh POV “Sorry, Tatiana, you can’t come with us,” I stated, taking a few steps closer to Allie. Tatiana pouted and started crying loudly, cuddling her head against my chest as she sobbed. She looked broken-hearted and I felt terrible. I didn’t want to be with her, but I couldn’t just leave her in a state like this. I stroked her back gently, trying to calm her, then noticed Allie. Over the course of the day, I felt like I’d finally broken through to her. She’d forgiven me for my stuff ups, and she’d loosened up and had fun at the berry patch–I was sure she’d never done anything like that before. She was warming to me. But now, her expression had changed, and her features had hardened. Her guard was back up, the one I’d worked so hard to get her to lower.