Page 79 of Coveted

“I’m happy you had the time to wait so we could talk. I hope Mother is doing well?”

Her father waved his hand as if there was no reason to suggest otherwise, but she’d been upset about Alana leaving, and Alana had forgotten to call her again like she’d promised.

“Your mother is fine. Your brother was caught sneaking around with some beta in town, so she’s been wrapped up in their drama. And I couldn’t bring your maid because she’s run off.”

Alana’s brows shot up and she had to bite back a smile. Even though he’d been raised to take their father’s place, her brother’s leash had never been kept as short as Alana’s since he was an alpha.

“I hope it didn’t cause too much fuss. I’m sure Mother will settle it, and Tina has a life of her own to live.”

Father waved his hand again. His eyes darted to Vax before coming back to her, and she knew he was getting to the real reason he wanted to see her.

“You know, no one would blame you if you wanted to come home with me. If that slop that was served last night is what you’ve had to deal with, there are other alphas able to properly provide for you.”

Vax went stiff, a growl filling the space around them, but her father kept his eyes locked on her.

“I’m not sure this is the best place for you, especially since Domaxay can’t give you the guidance you need.”

The old Alana would have cowered under the weight of his stare. He made it sound like he was only looking out for her, but she knew there had to be a hidden reason, so she steeled herself against the impulse to cave.

“The meal was only served to prove a point. Vax is taking good care of me, and the food Chancellor Zeeg asked you to send will help all of Farcon 1 get through this tough time.”

Her father’s eyes narrowed and he took a step closer, but Vax pulled her back, his growl increasing in volume. She was surprised he hadn’t done more than growl, but she appreciated his restraint.

“If you came home you would get to have a mate you know, and you’d be close to family. There’s no reason to remain here. You did your duty, and you have the option to refuse this match.”

“If you think—”

Alana put her hand on Vax’s arm, stopping him before he did something they might regret. Her own temper was flaring, and she realized she didn’t need him to stand up for her.

“No.”

Her voice cut through the air. There was none of the meekness in it that it used to hold when she spoke to her father, and he reared back like she’d struck him.

“Excuse me?”

She shook her head, straightening her shoulders.

“No, I will not refuse this match. No, I will not come home. No, I will not allow you to use me as a bargaining chip with whomever it is you’re trying to buy off.”

Her father’s eyebrows slammed down, anger written across his face. He acted like he was going to step closer again, but Vax’s growl warned him to think better of it. Her father was an alpha, but not a large one. Vax was taller, broader, and younger. He wouldn’t risk a physical altercation.

“You are my daughter—”

“And she’s my mate,” Vax cut in.

Her father’s glare bounced between the two of them, his face darkening as he realized he wasn’t going to win. Alana didn’t want any issues between them, but she was done being moved around like a pawn.

“I am happy here with Vax.”

Her father snorted as he gave Vax a scathing look from his head to his feet. Vax had worn a simple shirt with his usual pants. It was the same thing he’d worn every day since she’d met him, except when she’d convinced him to don the Chancellor’s robes.

“You can’t possible know him well enough yet to be happy with him.”

“Well, I know I’d be miserable with any of those old cronies that hang off every word you say. They’d expect me to bow and scrape, remain silent and do as I’m told, exactly like you did. I won’t live my life like that any longer.”

Her father huffed, his mouth opening as if he was going to rebuff her, but she’d heard enough.

“Even if I wasn’t, if I refuse the match with Vax, the Collection Center would still decide who I went to. It’s out of your hands.”

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