Chapter 17
Alanna
Tuvo was out of his element, and it was kind of hilarious.
The big male was a warrior – he wanted to punch his problems, not play the political game.
He was so clearly out of his depth and Alanna found herself speaking for herself more than translating for him – for which he appeared grateful.
It gave him the freedom to instead keep watch over the room – easy to do since he was taller than everyone.
He didn’t say anything, but she knew that he was watching Hattie specifically.
Maybe it had been a bad idea to accept Hattie’s offer to switch.
She had only been thinking about getting out of being Survii’s personal translator.
But now all Alanna could think was that Survii would be putting his attention on her instead.
Charming her. Seducing her. Doing exactly what he said he wanted – chasing any female that caught his fancy.
She wished he had never called her his mate. Maybe then she wouldn’t feel this practically unreasonable sense of betrayal. There were no promises made between them. No plans. Nothing. He had said she was his mate and she had taken him at his word.
And that was enough for her to hate the idea of him with one of her best friends – a girl she knew wouldn’t do anything even if Survii offered. Hattie knew how much it would hurt Alanna for Survii to sleep with one of her friends after what he said.
Even if it wasn’t true.
Especially if it wasn’t true.
She threw herself into her work as a distraction. There was plenty to do.
The world leaders were all coming to her, asking for her – the aliens, really – to come visit their countries on their grand world tour. Negotiations would take time and, while they were doing it, the aliens could make the rounds and see everything Earth had to offer.
They phrased it like an opportunity for the aliens – to know them and see what they had for trade – but she knew that wasn’t precisely true. They wanted to show off. To gain favor with the aliens and thus gain power over other nations.
Alanna was fairly certain that wasn’t going to work.
Earth had to trade as a whole, not on an individual nation basis – at least so long as it was a protectorate.
Maybe that would expand once Earth joined the Coalition in full, but by then, she imagined, the government of Earth would be a lot more centralized and that wouldn’t be a problem.
Historically, that’s how it happened with all Coalition species. The demand to have a singular representative meant that governing bodies formed around that representative. And they either became a leader like Atem, or an assigned position from a leader – similar to an ambassador.
But she had no problem going along with a world tour. Most negotiations would be done online anyway, so this was really the best way to do it.
And having Tuvo there for those offers was helpful. He had already got in contact with the security team assigned to them by her uncle – having volunteered to put his own security detail on them. The delegation, with Alanna’s approval, had agreed.
After some debate and quick planning – and some advice from her uncle based on current world politics – they had decided to visit China first. Something that made the president of China very happy.
He told them so through his own translator – a young Chinese woman that smiled happily at Alanna as she spoke the president’s words.
After accepting his invitation, more kept coming in. Alanna couldn’t say no, so she said that she’d put everyone on a list to visit and start going down one at a time.
And honestly? She was really looking forward to it.
The chance to explore Earth with world leaders as her tour guides? Surely, there could be no better way to see it all. This was exactly the kind of adventure and excitement that she lived for. And China was beautiful and ancient. She couldn’t wait to go.
Tuvo did remind her that their negotiations had to come first, but that didn't seem to be a problem for anyone else. Going on vacation was how this particular social class worked. Mingling and socializing and networking was a vital part of their daily lives.
“Seems to be a lot of talking going on here, but nothing much being said,” Tuvo grumbled as they paused to accept glasses of champagne from the roaming staff.
“That’s how politics works,” she laughed, taking a sip that made her shiver with delight. Not only was it expensive, delicious champagne, it was the first drop of alcohol she’d been able to enjoy since her abduction – that made it special.
Tuvo took a sip then made a face and promptly returned the glass. She snickered.
“Alcohol is an acquired taste.”
“I can’t imagine why you’d want to acquire a taste for that,” he shook his head.
She wasn’t surprised he didn't like it. The closest thing the domini had to alcohol was intak, and that worked more like a muscle relaxer than an intoxicant.
“It’s very popular amongst us humans. But I’m sure they have anything you want here.”
“Water will be fine.”
Alanna summoned one of the passing servers and asked for it. As the man moved off to get the requested drink, she turned back to Tuvo to find him staring off to the side. Following his gaze, she saw Survii and Hattie chatting with a small group of people.
And the dark, twisted jealousy that rose in her chest at the sight nearly choked her.
“They look like they’re having a good time,” she said, forcing a smile as she nursed her drink. Resisting the urge to tip it back all in one go.
Tuvo only grunted in reply. She grinned.
“I’m surprised you’re not more upset.”
“Why would I be?” He tried and failed to keep his voice level. She couldn’t help but notice that his fists were tight down by his side.
She grinned. “You know, it’s okay to admit that you like Hattie.”
“I do like Hattie. She’s a fine female. Very likable.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” Alanna looked back at the two of them.
And immediately wished she hadn’t as that dark envy rose in her throat again. She tried to swallow it back and found it difficult. Nearly impossible when Survii smiled at Hattie, listening as she finished translating, then threw back his head laughing.
It was like hearing that he was her mate was all the permission her stupid heart needed to get ridiculously attached to him. And now she couldn’t turn it off, even after what she overheard.
“You know, it’s okay to admit that you like Survii.”
Tuvo’s smirking tone turned her gaze back to him and she glared playfully.
“He’s an idiot.”
“Yeah, he is.”
“Do you know him well?”
“Well enough, I suppose.” He shrugged. Just a bit late, still trying to get used to the human non-verbal communication.
“Survii’s only been First Voice for about a Standard year.
Only Romival has been First for less time.
But he rose through the ranks very quickly.
And he’s good at his job. He’s adept at getting people to like him and want to do things for him. Charming, you’d call it.”
Yeah, she had noticed. He was saying something to one of the people around him, speaking with a great deal of enthusiasm and animation. She wondered what he was saying. She wanted to go over there and insert herself into the conversation.
When he touched Hattie’s upper back gently, saying something to her, it made her want to rip her friend away from him and to smack him upside the head for touching another girl.
A soft growl resounded from beside her and she snickered.
“Tuvo, I think we’re both dumb,” she said, grinning at him.
“I don’t know what you mean,” he said through clenched teeth, forcibly looking away. “I think that human is trying to talk to you.”
She turned to follow his gaze and, sure enough, another older man she didn't recognize had come to speak to Tuvo. She happily played translator, since that required no thought. But she did keep stumbling over her words as she kept checking on Survii and Hattie.
Good thing she did, or she would have missed it when the two of them stepped out of the room.
Her heart sank.
Without thinking, she cut off the conversation right in the middle and rushed after them.
The outer hallway had a few people lingering around, chatting in small groups. She looked left and right, heart pounding in her throat. Hating how much power he had over her but needing to make sure he hadn’t just gone off to fuck her best friend.
Hattie wouldn’t do that to her. She wouldn’t.
But she couldn’t convince herself of that rationality as someone helpfully pointed in the direction they had seen Survii go – the aliens could hardly go somewhere without someone noticing.
She walked quickly down that way. Biting her lips. Her gut churning uncomfortably. She took the corner too fast-
-and grunted as she ran right into Hattie.
“Woah, Alanna,” Hattie laughed, grabbing her arm. “You really have to pee or something?”
“What?” The question made no sense for a minute.
Then, she realized that Hattie was waiting outside of the men’s room.
The bathroom.
Survii had to go to the bathroom, so he had asked Hattie to take him there.
Immediately, Alanna felt like an absolute heel. The domini didn’t go to the bathroom as often as humans did, but they still had to go at least once per day. More, if they were eating actual food and not drinking blood – as they were now.
Hattie grinned at her knowingly. “He’s a perfect gentleman, you know.”
Alanna quickly looked away. “I’ve noticed. He’s nice.”
“The whole language barrier doesn’t seem to be affecting him at all. He gets along well with nearly everyone. And his non-verbal communication is coming along great.”
“Good to hear.” She was so dumb. What was she thinking rushing over here like this? Of course, First Voice wasn’t going to abandon his duty to go have sex with someone. A woman who would never have done that to her at anyway. Survii wouldn’t have become First Voice if he was careless like that.