Page 20 of Coveted

Tina sniffled, swallowing twice before nodding as a tear slipped down her cheek. Alana gave her a genuine smile before pulling her into a quick hug, the bag squished between them. Letting her go, Alana turned and grabbed her own luggage, facing the door with her heart hammering behind her ribs.

“Good luck,” she said as Tina opened the door for her and stepped aside.

“You as well, Alana. You deserve it.”

Lightness filled her as she strode from her room. Asserting herself felt strange, a sense of looming punishment following her, but she was proud of what she’d accomplished so far. If she could get the ship in the air before her father stopped it, she’d have the clean break she wanted to make her new start.

Her steps were quick through the empty hallways. The castle was just stirring to life, the few servants she encountered staring in surprise at her carrying her own bags, but she didn’t stop long enough for any of them to offer help.

A cool spring breeze met her at the door, lifting her hair from her shoulders as she walked along the sidewalk toward the waiting spaceship. Sleek and slim, it’s silver hull shone in the sunrise, reflecting the colors of the sky.

Glad to see the door waiting open, Alana straightened her spine and squared her shoulders. Imagining she was her father, she strode onto the ship, turning and heading toward the sound of voices. She made it all the way to the cockpit before she found the source, the pair of pilots talking as they checked gauges and did whatever it was pilots did before a flight.

“There’s a change in plans. We need to takeoff as soon as possible.”

The men turned to stare at her, expressions blank until they realized who she was.

“There’s supposed to be another hour and a half until launch.”

She had to fight the natural instinct to cringe away and apologize for bothering them. Grip tightening on her bags, she held her resolve just as tight, knowing it wouldn’t only mess up her own plans if she was forced to wait.

“I know, but there’s a situation that requires us to leave now. What’s the soonest we can be in the air?”

The pilots glanced at each other before looking at the screens in front of them.

“Well, everything is ready. We were just waiting on you and whoever else...”

“Perfect.”

She beamed at the two men, cutting them off. Turning as if to leave, she called back over her shoulder.

“Everyone who needs to be onboard is here, so you’re clear to go.”

Forcing one foot in front of the other, she refused to hesitate at the door like she wanted to see if they were doing as she said. Technically she hadn’t lied to them, only rearranged things and left out a few key details, but her stomach still churned at the thought that she may get them in trouble.

Making herself a promise to call her father as soon as they were beyond the atmosphere and take responsibility for it before he lashed out over someone thwarting his will, Alana made her way to the rooms at the back of the ship.

There were hoppers large enough to carry half a dozen people in comfort, plus a full crew, but her father hadn’t been able to excuse the expense of one that size when they didn’t have much use for the ship. He hadn’t travelled much, and rarely brought her or her mother when he did, so their hopper only had two extra rooms besides the suite in the back that had always been his.

She was tempted to claim the suite, but settled on the room she’d used in the past instead. She had no need for all the extraspace in the suite. Her room provided a bed, sitting table and chair, and private bathroom.

A subtle hum spread beneath her feet as she tugged her bags onto the mattress, and a wave of relief rolled through her. She’d taken a risk by leaving the pilots before they followed her orders, but it had paid off. Even if her father noticed the ship leaving the ground, it would be difficult to stop them. It would take more time and energy to call the ship back than to let them go.

Taking the time to put away her clothing and store her luggage, Alana figured it was time to make the call and face what she’d done.

The controls for the communicator were laid into the table, so she took a seat and faced the screen on the wall, dialing her father’s assistant. Even she didn’t know her father’s direct line, but it didn’t matter. Her father’s image greeted her as soon as the screen came to life.

“What is going on? Where are you?”

“On the ship, headed for Earth like we discussed.”

His brows lowered, making her stomach sink, though she did her best to hide the reaction. As old as she was, he still made her feel like a child.

“You were supposed to have breakfast with us so your mother could say goodbye, and then you would have been escorted to the hopper. Why are you already in the air? Those pilots took off without the cook or your maid.”

Alana felt her ears heat. She hadn’t realized they were missing any crew, but she knew there was a replicator onboard, so it wasn’t like they would starve. She’d just have to figure out how to use it.

“I told them to takeoff. My alpha is only four days from Earth, so he’s already being forced to wait on my arrival. I know a Chancellor’s time is precious, so since I didn’t leave immediately upon receiving the news, I thought the least I could do was goas soon as I was ready. I know Mother was looking forward to breakfast together before I left, but it would have been hard for both of us. I planned to call and apologize to her as soon as I informed you of what was going on.”

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