Page 15 of Coveted

A touch of chagrin colored his words, but Leir’s laugh helped push away the encroaching guilt.

“I hope she’s worth it. When do you go get her?”

The innocent question slammed Vax back to reality, a groan leaving his chest as he ran a hand down his face. He forgot he’d be expected to go pick her up. Most of the newer planets were on the fringes of the Federation’s reach, and while Farcon 1 was too, he had no idea where Libeqor was in relation to them. Even if it was close, he didn’t have the time to run off just to pick up an omega.

“Shit.”

Leir laughed again, shutting down Vax’s sudden idea before he had the chance to voice it.

“Well, I can’t go get her for you. Elise is super territorial right now. She’d lose her mind if I brought another omega onboard.”

Sucking in a deep breath, Vax swallowed his groan. He couldn’t fault Leir’s priorities.

“I’ll figure it out. Gotta get through all the paperwork first.”

“Right.”

Realizing he was running short on time before his first meeting of the day, Vax stood and pulled out a fresh set of clothing as he said his goodbyes.

“You should go sleep while you can. Maybe we can all get together when Elise is up to it.”

“And you need to get to work. Hopefully your omega makes you take some time off. You’re in that office too much.”

Vax grunted, the idea of taking time off sending a flutter of panic through his chest as Leir disconnected. There was too much to do, too many things that needed his attention, and yet he’d let his instincts push him to add another.

Shaking his head, he stripped and stepped into the shower, already making a mental list of things he’d have to add to his list. At the rate he was going, he’d need to figure out how to survive without sleep, because while he needed Alana to teach him how to interact with the other Chancellors, there were differentthings he’d like to teach her that had nothing to do with playing nice.

Chapter Nine

Alana

“Your mate has been selected! There’s a bit of admin work to take care of, but it should all be complete by the time you get to Earth.”

Alana’s brows jerked up.

“Earth? That’s where I’ll be living?”

Suri shook her head.

“No, but since Libeqor doesn’t have a Collection Center yet, we figured this was a good place for you to meet before going with your alpha to Farcon 1.”

The name of the planet seemed familiar, but Alana couldn’t remember anything specific about it. She’d been a bit disappointed thinking she’d have to live on Earth, but any other planet would be better than staying under her father’s thumb.

“When do I leave?”

Suri chuckled at her enthusiasm.

“We’ll be arranging for a hopper to head your way soon. You’re almost six days from us, so you’ve got plenty of time to say goodbye.”

Alana frowned at that. She didn’t want more time. She wanted to leave. She was done being the perfect daughter that lost herpurpose once her father could no longer use her. It was well past time for her to stand on her own.

“Wouldn’t it be faster if I came there on one of our hoppers instead of sending one from Earth to get me?”

Her father might grumble over losing his transport for the twelve-day round trip, but he couldn’t exactly refuse to send her to Earth if that was what was required.

And Alana could make it sound like it was.

“Yeah, if you wanted to do it that way it would speed things up a bit. Farcon 1 is only four days from us. Is your heat approaching?”

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