Page 65 of Coveted

“I guess you’ll make two statements with the Council’s dinner,” she said, shrugging, but with the hint of a twisted smile on her lips.

Varner looked to her, still unaware of their plan, but he could piece together what Vax was planning with the fresh produce already being unloaded from the second ship. Shaking his head, he sighed as he turned his gaze back to his Chancellor.

“I can’t say they don’t deserve it, but I have to warn you, this may burn any chance of you being accepted by them. You can’t refuse to serve them.”

Vax snorted. He’d only wanted to appease them to make things better for Farcon 1, but the Council had shown how little they cared for his planet or people. He’d been convinced to change for them, or try to, but he was done.

“I don’t want accepted by people who are okay with this, and I don’t plan on not serving them. If I’m still Chancellor when all this is over, they’re getting me exactly as I am. I’m done trying to conform.”

Varner’s only response was a tight-lipped nod. Vax knew his Chief of Staff was just as angry about what was being done to them, and he may have helped instigate the rebellion against Chancellor Osmel, but he was still one to want peace unless all else failed.

The crates of produce from the other ship had already been unloaded and the captain was standing beside the stacks, waiting for someone to come sign off on his delivery. Some of the Administration Building’s kitchen staff were waiting to take charge of the food for the Council and move it inside, but Varner was still busy with the Valaniean captain, so Vax headed for the other ship. He didn’t realize Alana was still following him until she tapped his arm.

Slowing, he turned to look down at her. Those big green eyes swallowed him up, washing away the rest of the tension that had crept back into his shoulders at the sight of the spoiled food.

“You should tell the people what’s happening. Your staff too.”

Brow furrowing, Vax cast a glance over his shoulder at the group waiting with their hovercarts. They didn’t know which ship held the food they were supposed to receive, or what was wrong with it, but they were watching what was going on with curious expressions. He didn’t see a reason to explain more than that they’d get more food as soon as Leir could return.

“Why?”

“They need to know what the Council tried to do to them, and why. They know about the accident, and I bet rumors are already running through the city about what caused it since there’s no way your entire staff has kept quiet. Even if they haven’t heard yet, they will.

“Show them that you’re giving them the food meant for the Council. Your own food. Show them you’re not going to let the other Chancellor’s take advantage of them, no matter the cost, because when bellies go hungry, it’s hard to remember why you like the person in charge. You don’t want to let the Council’s tactics to turn them against you to work.”

He stopped walking, turning to face the omega by his side.

“But I’m doing everything I can to protect them. They know that.”

“Do they? Do they believe it enough to accept that the rationing they’ve been facing is about to get worse because of a decision you made for their benefit? Because closing the mines doesn’t only affect the miners on a planet that revolves around that industry, and the lack of food affects everyone. They’re bound to think the best of the food is being kept for you and the Council.”

He stared down at the woman who was far wiser than he’d ever expected her to be. He’d been looking for someone to help him with his manners, and he’d chosen Alana because she had the proper background to be useful, but he’d never expected her to jump in and help him shoulder the burden that rested on his shoulders. She saw the things he didn’t, knowing how people would react, and while she may have offered the information just to keep him in position so she could remain the First Lady, the intensity he could see on her face told him that wasn’t the reason.

“Will you deny our match when the person from the Center comes if I’m no longer Chancellor?”

He could see the captain he’d been heading towards shift impatiently from the corner of his eye, but he didn’t care about making the man wait. Vax had told himself he was taking an omega for convenience, for the knowledge she could provide, and that he wouldn’t let her be a distraction.

He’d lied to himself.

Vax had chosen Alana because he wanted her, and he found himself wanting her to want him in return. He knew it was fast, but she’d already worked her way under his skin, becoming someone he didn’t want to lose. He didn’t expect her to love him yet, but he needed her to choose him.

The laugh she let out had his gut clenching, bile rising in his throat until he realized her expression held no hint of the scorn he’d expected.

“I almost denied itbecauseyou were a Chancellor. My father has controlled my entire life, and I worried you would do the same. I didn’t want the attention a Chancellor draws, or the restrictions on what I’msupposedto be.”

Alana closed the space between them, placing her hands on his chest. A flutter of hope pulled his stomach out of his throat, though he was still wary because of what she was saying, but she continued before he had a chance to formulate a response.

“I’ve seen how hard you work, and the care you feel for your people. I may not have been with you long, but you listen when others ignored me, and you’ve given me the chance to prove myself. I believe you should be Chancellor, but even if you’re nothing but a miner, or a pirate, or whatever you decide to be, I think we’ll work it out.”

The world disappeared around them, his focus solely on the woman in his arms. She was right that they hadn’t been together long, but something in him said that didn’t matter, because they had plenty of time ahead. No matter what happened, Alana was meant to be his, and he wasn’t going to let her go.

His lips crashed with hers, the action beyond conscious thought. It didn’t matter that they were standing in the middle of the landing field with people watching from all sides, he needed to stake his claim and show her how much what she’d said meant to him.

He swept his tongue into her mouth, caressing hers as his arms squeezed her to him. He could feel her feet dangling above the ground, her toes smacking into his shins, and if he had his way, he’d never put her down. He wanted to rush them back to his room and worship her until he didn’t know where he ended and she began, hoping to drive her into heat early so he could put his mark on her neck and be sure no one could ever take her from him.

The cheers and whistles finally broke through and reminded him of their audience and the things he still needed to do. He had responsibilities to take care of before he indulged in what he wanted, but he promised himself he wasn’t going to shove her to the side like he’d been telling himself to do.

He released Alana’s lips with a grumble, depositing her back on her feet, though he kept an arm around her to steady her when she swayed. She blinked up at him with a dazed expression before her tongue slipped out, tempting him to forget the mess around him again, but she gave herself a shake and straightened her back, peeking over his shoulder as her cheeks flushed.

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