Page 8 of Coveted

It came out a question since she wasn’t sure that was what the woman was asking for. She still wasn’t even surewhythe woman was asking her questions.

“Okay, and what type of food do you prefer?”

Alana floundered, frustrated by another pointless question.

“What does that have to do with finding me an alpha? You said that’s what you were going to help with.”

She immediately regretted the outburst, ducking her head to escape those piercing eyes. The other woman had said she was an omega as well, but it didn’t make Alana any more comfortable. She knew her tone was unacceptable.

“I’m sorry, I just don’t understand the reason for the questions.”

She forced herself to look at the screen again as she apologized. The woman who’d introduced herself as Suri shook her head.

“It’s fine. I know this can be a bit overwhelming. Iamtrying to help you find a compatible mate, which is why I ask these questions. If you absolutely hate seafood, I wouldn’t want to send you to a water planet that serves nothing but fish.”

Suri chuckled and Alana couldn’t help the way her own lips twitched in response. Thatwouldbe a terrible situation.

Sighing, she forced her shoulders to relax as she straightened again.

“I’m not picky. Nothing I’ve ever been served was so disagreeable that I’d make a fuss over it.”

She didn’t bother to say she wouldn’t fuss about eating fish the rest of her life even if she hated fish. She wouldn’t fuss over anything, because it wasn’t proper. The first lesson that had been drilled into her had been how aproperomega acted.

Which was with quiet obedience.

“If it’s easier, we can go with what you dislike instead of what your favorites are. I know sometimes it’s hard to choose.”

The other female smiled in a way that suggested she was trying to share something, but whatever it was, Alana didn’t feel it. She had no favorites. She didn’t really have any particular dislikes either.

Because she had never been given options.

Something about that made her throat feel thick, her tongue sticking to the roof of her mouth as she forced a fake smile intoplace. Her stomach had started churning as soon as she learned of the meeting she had to have with the Intake Coordinator from one of the Earth Collection Centers, and nothing had helped it settle.

Her father had explained what he could of the Omega Market and the process omegas went through the day after the ball, but either he didn’t know much, or he was keeping some information to himself. Alana still wasn’t sure how the alphas and omegas were matched, and Suri hadn’t given her the chance to ask after introducing herself before she launched into her own questions for Alana.

And there were so many.

Alana answered the best she could, but many times she had no response. Suri seemed to pick up on her discomfort after a few more helpless shrugs and gave Alana the option to skip questions instead of pressing for an answer.

Eventually, they came to an end.

“I only have one more for you, and it’s more for confirmation than anything.”

Alana nodded, waiting, but Suri seemed hesitant. Alana had grown more comfortable through the interview, but she tensed at the shift in mood from the other woman.

“The medical records submitted to us say you’ve never been with anyone physically.”

Alana’s eye widened at the knowledge that someone had sent the Center her medical records. She hadn’t been aware of that, but there were few people with access to them, so her father had to have approved it. The question didn’t bother her as much as it seemed to bother Suri.

“If you mean sexual contact, that’s correct. I am a virgin.”

Of course she’d remained pure for her future mate. That was what proper omegas did.

Wasn’t it?

Suri tried to hide her reaction, but Alana noticed the way the skin tightened around her eyes, and suddenly she had a flurry of questions buzzing through her head. It was a struggle to hold them back, but Alana had no way of knowing if her call was being monitored, and none of the question would be considered appropriate.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I left that off your profile. That’s something you can share with your alpha once you’re matched.”

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