Page 66 of Coveted

“Let’s get this straightened out and let Varner know what a genius you are so I can take you back to my room.”

He dipped his head down until he could whisper in her ear.

“I still need to eat something.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Alana

It was hard for her to focus when Vax went to the second ship. She knew he signed for the goods before speaking to the waiting staff from his kitchen. Expressions of disbelief and panic crossed their faces before morphing into grim smiles as they headed for the first ship and the rotting produce.

Alana knew perfectly well what Vax was planning to do with it, and while a part of her cringed in disgust and worried it would incite things further, the newer part of her was cheering him on.

The Council had brought it on themselves. Even if all of them weren’t active participants, the rest looked the other way while these things were being done.

The Council’s appropriation and allotment of food stuffs was one of the things her father had haggled about the most as part of Libeqor joining the Federation. Planets like Farcon 1 who couldn’t produce much food were allowed to keep what they grew and were supplemented with a certain amount determined by the Council. Specialty items weren’t included, just basic sustenance to keep the population fed.

With Libeqor’s main industry being agriculture, the system worked opposite for them. They were allotted a certain amountfor the population, then the Council took a portion before they were allowed to sell any excess.

Ideally this practice would work out to be sure no planet went hungry while others had surplus, but there were times when it hurt. If Libeqor’s crops didn’t perform as well as usual, they were still expected to give the Council their portion, which meant the planet would suffer with less to sell for credit to purchase the other items needed by the population.

In Farcon 1’s case, since they weren’t able to supplement their allotment with their own crops, the Council had to give permission to receive more. Alana was willing to bet that they hadofficiallyapproved the request, but weren’t following through because Vax wasn’t meeting their ridiculous demands.

She shook herself out of her thoughts as she followed Vax to the gathered populace waiting for permission to collect the food available for distribution. Vax stopped before them, looking around to be sure he had their attention before speaking.

“The Council is punishing me. They want me to push the miners harder, to go back to the way it was under Chancellor Osmel, because they want crystalsnow.”

Vax paused to look around again. The city wouldn’t have been affected by the poor conditions of the mines while Osmel had been in charge, but she’d heard that wasn’t the only reason the previous Chancellor hadn’t been liked. He’d hurt enough of his own people that they’d all been happy to see him overthrown.

“They know about the fungus on our crops. They know we’re stretched thin, because I asked for their help. I filed for an increase on our allotment until we can find another option.”

A buzz went through the people, smiles breaking out as Vax took a breath before crushing the hope he’d caused. For someone who said he wasn’t trained for the position, he knew how to speak to stir emotions.

“The Council gave me platitudes and empty excuses. They said they’d do what they could, and then they did this.”

Vax stepped to the side and pointed at the produce being pulled from the back of the first transport. The stack was obviously smaller than what came from the second ship, and the breeze brought the stench to where they stood at the edge of the field.

“You’re all aware the shipment is late. The captain says he was held up in Inspection, and when he asked why, he couldn’t be given a valid reason. They held him back for four days before finally releasing the ship, and when he mentioned the food was spoiling, he was ordered to come straight here without stopping, or he’d be fined. They didn’t care that the food wouldn’t make it through the trip.”

Alana saw the smiles disappear, looks of shock and worry mingling with anger on the faces before her.

“The Council controls the inspection stations. The Council controls the allotment of food. The Council sent us half what we usually get, and at least half of that is inedible.”

Voices were rising. Vax was stirring them into an emotional mass, and Alana hoped he was as good at directing it where they wanted it to go.

Vax raised his hands, calling over the crowd. Other people who’d been nearby had drifted closer to hear what was being said, and more were heading their way due to the noise.

“They told me there was a shortage. That was their reason for not sending us extra, and I’ll bet that’ll be their excuse about why our shipment was short.”

People were starting to shout, the anger a palpable thing. Alana couldn’t help shifting closer to Vax, putting herself slightly behind him as a shield between her and the emotions beating against her senses. The people in front of her were mostly male,a healthy portion of them alphas, and it was instinctive to fear the volatility and seek shelter where she felt safe.

“The Council is arriving tomorrow for our regular meeting. They chose to have it on Farcon 1 so they could try to force my hand to give in to their demands about the crystals. The accident that happened at Camp Primma yesterday was due to a Chancellor going behind my back and ordering a tunnel dug where it wasn’t safe. Our people were injured, and some died, because of their impatience.”

The building anger was becoming a physical thing. The people deserved to know what was going on, but she’d never meant to have Vax stir them into a mob. He was supposed to be solidifying his position in their view so the Council couldn’t do anything to him, not inciting a possible riot.

Vax stepped to the side again, exposing her to the crowd. Startled, she tried to slip behind him once more but he put an arm around her back, holding her to his side.

“This is Alana Ca’Harse. My omega, my mate, and your new First Lady.”

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