Page 22 of Coveted

His ship was the exact opposite of the previous one. The smallest hopper capable of intergalactic travel, it boasted a cockpit, a small dining room containing a replicator and two tables, a bunkroom for the crew to share, and a single room in the back for Vax. He’d splurged a little on the bed, upgrading it to one large enough for an alpha, but the only other furniture in the suite was a heavy desk he’d installed himself, and a small couch.

“Everything ready?” he asked as he stepped into the cockpit.

Regis spared a glance to the side as Vax dropped into the chair beside him before returning his focus to the screens spread out in front of him.

“When you are.”

Vax had known the pilot for years, having worked together on Leir’s ship before their lives all changed, so he was one of the few who listened when Vax told them not to show him any deference. Regis had been arrested by the Osmels with Vax and Leir, but he’d been spared the torture and was released before the rebellion. Vax had convinced him to stay and be his pilot instead of returning to Leir’s cargo ship since Vax had needed someone he could trust.

“Let’s go then.”

Regis grunted, wasting no time following Vax’s order. They were in the air with barely a hum, the lavender sky darkening as they rose until they broke through into the dark of space.

Vax stared at the inky blackness studded with the bright spots of faraway stars. Their own took up the left side of the window,its red glow shrinking as the ship accelerated toward Earth, and for a moment he soaked in the peace.

Born a miner’s son and quickly taking his place amongst the many who spent their days underground, he’d always been fascinated by the concept of space, though the first time he’d found himself in the limitless depths of it had caused a flare of panic. Working with Leir to help the other aliens suppressed on Farcon 1 had meant too much to him to let the sudden fear send him back to the ground, so he’d found ways to cope until the knowledge that they floated in nothingness no longer bothered him. The view of the stars had become a source of calm for him, helping mellow the often easily stirred anger buried inside his chest.

“Course set. Arrival in approximately ninety-four hours.”

Regis’ voice brought Vax back to the present, reminding him how little time he had before he’d face a new distraction. As serious as the situations he fought were, he’d already found his thoughts drifting to the omega when he needed to focus, and he hadn’t even met her yet. Hadn’t scented those sweet notes that sent an alpha’s instincts into overdrive.

He still had no idea what he was going to do once he left the Collection Center with Alana. He’d experienced firsthand what an omega’s pheromones did to the alphas in close contact with them. He’d almost challenged Leir for Elise more than once, and he hadn’t been as drawn to her as he was the fiery-haired beauty he’d won.

Still, he planned to focus on the issues that needed his attention until everything was settled before allowing himself time to indulge in the female. If he let her get under his skin before then, he was worried he’d lose himself in instinct and forget about the people relying on him.

Standing, Vax left the cockpit, striding the length of the hall to the door that led into his room. Ninety-four hours was bothforever, and no time at all, and he had a sinking feeling that working once Alana was onboard was going to be twice as hard. He had to focus while he could.

Chapter Thirteen

Alana

She’d thought being home with nothing to do had been torture, but being stuck on the ship for six days had been so much worse. There was no escaping outside for fresh air, no one to talk to, and the only place she could go for a change of scenery was the dining room.

Alana was still embarrassed by how long it had taken her to figure out the replicator. She’d struggled trying to get something for breakfast the first morning, finally giving up and spending a hungry few hours waiting for one of the pilots to come into the room so she could watch what he did to get his lunch. Her first try after that had produced something that was supposed to be edible, but she hadn’t been able to stomach more than a couple bites before the chalky texture and lack of flavor had her tossing the dish in the scrap receptacle.

Too proud to admit she had no idea how to use such a common machine, she watched again when the other pilot came out to get dinner. Though he went just as fast as the first had at lunch, she saw she had missed a couple steps, and was finally able to produce something palatable for her evening meal. Itwas nothing compared to what she usually ate, but at least she wouldn’t starve.

It wasn’t until the next day when she grew tired of reading and decided to search for information on Farcon 1 that she realized she could have simply searched for instructions on how to use the machine. Luckily no one was there to see her cheeks flame at the oversight. She was old enough that people would expect her to know such simple things, but she couldn’t help that it was the first time she’d had the chance to do anything for herself.

It had been hard to keep track of time on the ship, so it was a surprise when the pilots announced they were approaching Earth. Alana had scrambled from the pile of blankets on her bed, rushing to put on presentable clothing. She’d sent a message to Suri on the second day of the trip and knew the woman would be waiting for her when she landed on top of the Collection Center, and Alana couldn’t show up looking like a rumpled mess.

Alana barely managed to pull up the zipper of her dress when a chime rang through the ship, announcing their landing. Yanking her brush through her waves, she tossed it into her bag before sweeping her arm inside the dresser to collect her clothing. There was no time to pack it neatly, so she crammed it in and laid overtop the luggage to force it closed. She hoped she hadn’t forgotten anything, but the only things that were irreplaceable hadn’t been taken from the bag.

Rushing down the hall towing her bags, Alana paused before the turn to the outer door, sucking in a deep breath and dropping her shoulders. Pasting on a pleasant smile, she stepped around the corner and headed for the bright sunlight pouring through the open hatch at a steady pace.

She had to stop and blink away the sting when she left the ship, Earth’s sun brighter than the two that circled Libeqor.Once she could see she spotted Suri standing by a pair of doors at the end of a glass hallway and hurried toward her.

The woman she’d come to like during their talks was smaller than Alana expected, her personality painting her larger than reality. The genuine smile was the same though, orange eyes glittering with more than just the light as pointed ears flicked with her excitement.

“Welcome to Earth!”

Suri practically bounced in place and Alana couldn’t stop her smile from widening. She wondered what it would be like to face life with the enthusiasm Suri had, but the idea felt exhausting. Still, it was nice to bask in her glow.

“Thank you.”

She didn’t need to think of anything else to say because Suri filled the quiet hall Alana followed her into.

“I’ll take you down to your room first so you can drop off your things, then we can head down to the meeting room. Vax arrived a few hours ago and is waiting there.”

---