Page 26 of Coveted

She paused and seemed to struggle for what else to say, but he couldn’t believe all she’d done her whole life was study.

“Have you traveled? What did you do once your education was complete?”

She shook her head before he finished asking his questions.

“Not much, and mainly only on Libeqor. We were trying to join the Federation, so we did make a few trips off-planet, but usually my father went alone. I was still studying when I was told I had to—”

She stopped, eyes widening as they darted from him to Suri, as if she expected one of us to be upset about what she was going to say. He was more surprised by the fact that she seemed to have still been with her parents at her age, but then again, her dynamic likely explained why.

“That’s…”

He searched for something polite to say about his suspicion. It wasn’t really surprising for an unmated omega to still be under her father’s protection, especially considering her father’s station, but it was a little hard to understand why she hadn’t already been claimed.

“You must be well educated then. I’m hoping you can help me with some of the issues I’m facing, actually.”

He’d have no better opportunity to bring up what he wanted from her, besidesher, and the sooner he explained, the sooner she could start teaching him. He wasn’t ashamed to admit hehad nowhere near the knowledge she did on how people of their station were supposed to act.

He watched her brows raise, a hint of a smile pulling up her lips and brightening her features. He hadn’t realized how much she’d curled in on herself until she straightened in her seat.

“Really?”

She sounded like a child who’d been told they could have a treat, and he couldn’t help the smile that grew in response. His worries about having an omega who tried to fight him seemed unfounded, and he leaned forward to explain.

“Obviously I wasn’t raised for this position like you and the other Chancellors, and they seem to have an issue with me because of it. My,” he paused for a second, trying to think of a term to use for Varner and Leir, “advisors seem to think if I learned to act more like them, all the etiquette and crap, they might listen to me more and quit trying to boot me from the Council. I chose you because I figured you could teach me.”

The sparkle of excitement he’d thought he saw in her eyes faded, though she still smiled as she responded.

“Of course. I can help with that.”

Her tone was definitely flatter, but he wasn’t sure what he’d done to cause the change.

Struggling not to frown, he broached the most important subject.

“I don’t have much time. I was actually hoping we could skip the week of meetings here and just head back to Farcon 1, because we’ve got a lot going on and the other Chancellors will be coming there for a Council meeting in a week.”

He noticed Suri’s eyes narrow, but he kept his attention on Alana. Her face had gone blank, her own gaze turning to Suri.

“That’s something Alana has to decide if she’s comfortable with. We usually insist on couples spending a few days here before the omega leaves the Center, but in this case, because ofthe Council meeting and Chancellor Vax’s responsibilities, we can make an exception.IfAlana is willing.”

Suri’s orange pupils bounced back and forth between him and Alana, but she locked her focus on the other woman.

“If you’d rather, he can head back alone for his meeting, and you can keep in touch through calls until he can return for you.”

The rumble of a growl started before he could resist, and he coughed to try to cover the noise, reaching for the glass of water sitting on the table before him. Standing without looking at either female, he carried the glass to the sideboard where a pitcher and another glass rested, refilling his and pouring water into the other. He carried both back and sat the second glass in front of Alana before looking at her as he took his seat.

“I think it would be okay to leave sooner. Tomorrow?”

The words came slowly, like she was forcing them out one at a time. She’d been looking down at her clasped hands resting on the table, but ended with her head up, though she still avoided meeting his gaze.

His jaw clenched, teeth grinding, before he sucked in a deep breath. A hint of that burnt smell was back, and while his stomach churned at having to push her if she was truly scared to leave, he needed to get home.

“I was really hoping to leave today. As soon as possible.”

He went to reach for her hand but paused before they touched. His heart dipped when she pulled away, dropping her hands to her lap as she straightened and looked him in the eye.

“If you need to return today, I will stay here and await your return.”

Chapter Fifteen

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