Page 9 of Coveted

Alana leaned back, brows dropping in confusion again.

“Is—Is that not important for them to know? That their possible mate is still pure?”

Suri’s mouth opened and closed before she answered.

“It’s… rare. I only know of one other omega who was a virgin, and it caused quite a stir. More problems came from it than anything else, and I’d rather protect you from that if I can.”

A chill rolled through Alana, slowing her heartbeat as she processed what Suri told her. There was no reason for Suri to lie, and she felt she could trust the other omega. If her status would cause problems, she’d accept Suri’s decision to leave that to her to tell her future alpha.

“Okay.”

The relief was apparent in Suri’s smile, so Alana took the chance to ask the most pressing question in her mind.

“Will I be given a choice?”

Suri’s wince was obvious, and Alana’s heart dropped.

“While you’re not given a choice of who you’re matched with, you do have the option to refuse the match if there are issues. We’ll check up on you once you’re settled with the alpha and see how things are going.”

A flutter of hope tried to take hold, but Alana gripped it tight.

“What do you mean?”

She didn’t want to get her hopes up only to have them crushed again.

“If the alpha is abusive in any way, or truly unsuited, you have the option to refuse after giving them a proper chance. We would then find another for you, but you should know, later offers generally aren’t as good as the first match. Usually, any initial issues get worked out fairly quickly. The only concern is if your cycle begins before we come check on you. You need to notify me immediately if you feel it coming.”

Alana swallowed and nodded. It wasn’t the same thing as being given options to choose from, but it still helped to know she wasn’t being sent off and forgotten about. If she felt there was no chance of learning to be content with the alpha she was sent to, at least she knew she’d have the chance to say something and be re-matched.

“Okay then, once your pictures are done and sent to me, I’ll get everything updated and get back to you in a few days. Hopefully by then I’ll be able to share who your new alpha is.”

The bubbly excitement of the other woman was back, and while it helped Alana not feel so despondent, she couldn’t say she shared the feeling. Faking it as best she could, she said goodbye to Suri.

The screen went dark, leaving her in the dim light peeking between the curtains. Alana hadn’t used her office much since she’d finished her studies, but she found herself not wanting to leave the cozy embrace of the chair. She’d spent long hours there over the years, and while she usually had the curtains spread wide to let in the light, she found herself soothed by the darkness surrounding her.

It was peaceful.

Until a knock echoed through the room, startling her back to the present. Tina’s voice followed.

“Lunch is ready, and you have an appointment in an hour.”

Indulging in the frown that tugged at her lips, Alana let out a sigh before standing. It still surprised her how busy she was keptdespite the fact that she did nothing. Her father had insisted she take all the courses she could, yet was equally insistent that she couldn’t work. The most he allowed was for her to go to the local school to read to the children.

Dragging in a fortifying breath, she smoothed her features and resumed the serene expression expected from her. Omegas didn’t frown or go around looking glum. Especially not ones in her position. She had everything she could ever want…

Besides freedom.

Sliding the door open, she met Tina’s eyes before bowing her head, following the other woman to the table where she ate when she wasn’t dining with her parents. She’d invited Tina to share the table years ago, seeing no point in both of them having to eat alone, but she’d long since given up trying to turn the woman into a friend instead of merely a servant. Whatever hold her father had on the beta, it was ironclad.

But maybe, maybe once she was sent to whatever alpha she was matched with, she’d have the chance of a bit more freedom.

And maybe even real friends.

Chapter Six

Vax

His alarm rang through the room, drawing a groan from him as he rolled onto his back. Vax hadn’t moved once he fell asleep, and his arm felt like it was on fire from the sensation of blood returning to the limb that had been caught under him for hours.

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