Page 4 of Coveted

Vax snorted, shoulders tensing again. It seemed like the other Chancellors found everything he did wrong in some way. He wouldn’t care, except they were doing their best to block him in any way they could, which affected all of Farcon 1.

Letting his head hang, he heaved a sigh and rubbed his eyes. The stress was getting to him, making it hard for him to sleep during the few hours he had the chance when most of his day was spent pouring through old records to correct mistakes made to hide the Osmel’s greed, or spent in meetings with a myriad of people to continue improving the conditions of Farcon 1 and ensuring he remained in his position.

“Maybe Varner is right.”

Vax’s head popped up, gaze locking on the alpha across from him. Leir’s shoulders rose in a shrug.

“I understand you don’t think you need the robes and all the fuss, but by refusing them you’re broadcasting the fact that you’re not like them. If you blended in a little better, at least appeared to conform, you wouldn’t scare them so much.”

Vax scoffed but Leir smiled as he rose.

“Think about it. And think about an etiquette coach, or whatever it is that would make you at leastseemless like the hardheaded ass you are. Hell, maybe bonding would mellow you a bit. You’ve got access to the Market now, and plenty of credits. I’ve got to get back to my mate.”

With a wave Leir disappeared through the doorway, leaving Vax alone in his office. He didn’t have the time for someone to teach him the proper way to speak to people like the Chancellors, with their belief that they were above all others, and he doubted it would do any good anyway, but if his relations with them continued to deteriorate, he may have no choice but to try.

And the suggestion of bonding was laughable. He didn’t have the time for a distraction, and that’s what an omega would be.

Chapter Three

Alana

Alana stood beside her mother, two steps behind where her father greeted the dignitaries entering the ballroom. From what she’d been able to overhear, many of them were impressed with the castle, remarking on how similar it was to the historical ones on Earth. Alana disagreed, having studied Earth’s history as part of her own planet’s since they began as an Earth colony, but she kept her thoughts to herself.

“And who are these lovely ladies behind you?”

The creature that turned his orange eyes on her made her back stiffen, a touch of fear flooding her veins before she could control the reaction. Shorter than her father, he was still a massive male, broader, with grey skin that reminded her of old boulders, and a line of spines going down each arm.

Her father stepped back, slipping an arm around her mother’s waist.

“This is my mate, Cecil, and our daughter, Alana.”

Alana dropped her eyes to the floor, showing the alpha the proper respect as she curtsied. Her father didn’t elaborate on the introductions, so she knew he didn’t see the other male as a prospect, and she kept her gaze lowered until he walkedaway. They’d been greeting people for what felt like hours, and while some of the others had brought mates and children, none seemed like someone her father would want to tie himself to by offering her as a mate.

When no one else immediately stepped forward to congratulate them on becoming a member of the Federation, her father turned and looked around the room. There were a few hundred people mingling on the dance floor, and Alana did her best to place names to faces as she followed his gaze.

The Federation referred to the people who ran a planet as its Chancellor, and about two-thirds of them had come with their families. There were also Ambassadors and other dignitaries from both Federation planets, and hopefuls that wanted to join like Libeqor had, plus their own people from the noble families. Alana had been studying the Chancellors since the welcome ball was announced and could name most of them, but besides the people she’d grown up with, there were too many others for her to remember them all.

Pulling her attention back to her father, she waited for his next direction. She hadn’t had a chance to speak with him yet, and she was hoping to put the idea in his head before he made up his mind on who he was going to choose. At that point, it would be too late.

“It’s time to join in and get to know the others better. Alana, I want you to dance with as many as you can. No hiding in corners or lingering with one partner. Especially not an alpha.”

His stern tone warned he would be keeping an eye on her to be sure she did as he said. Bowing her head, she pulled in a deep breath and took the only chance she was likely to get.

“May I have your permission to find an alpha that holds my interest? I would never presume to make the choice of who to mate without your guidance and approval, but as I’m the onewho will be life-bonded to them, having the chance to offer my input as to who I will be with would be a blessing.”

She kept her eyes firmly locked on his shoes, not daring to look up. She knew her request was bold, but she was hoping he was in a good enough mood to indulge her.

“My child.”

She let out a slow breath, startling when his hand landed on her shoulder. Daring to raise her focus to his face, she couldn’t read the tightness she saw there.

“That decision is not up to either of us any longer. As an unmated omega of the Federation, you are required to comply with their laws and be matched through the Omega Market.”

Her brow furrowed, heartbeat slowing until her chest felt hollow.

“Wh—What’s that?”

Her father cleared his throat, shifting and dropping his hand from her shoulder, and for the first time she could remember, he looked…uncomfortable.

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