Page 106 of Wanted By a King

“Maybe,” I allow.

Beaming, Alana walks over to her bed-side table and pulls some handcuffs from the drawer. After handing them to me, she cackles, “Now you’re ready to have some fun.”

We both cringe at the word ‘fun’. I know first-hand just how little fun it is to be on the receiving end of it. Yet, it still doesn’t seem like enough. As I sort through the thoughts of everything I’ve suffered at Grayson’s hands, I find that I want more. I deserve more than just showing his dick to everyone.

“I don’t think that’s enough,” I whisper. At Alana’s raised eyebrow, I hurry to clarify. “You guys often partake in orgies, so it’s not like it’s intimate or new to him. And let’s not forget that he’s fucked most of you.”

Running a hand through her hair, she turns to look out of the window with a thoughtful look on her face.

“Does that bother you?” she finally asks after what feels like an eternity.

Letting out a sigh, I slump in my seat. “I’m honestly not sure. I’d be lying if I said no, but at the same time I’m not sure it would be true to say yes.”

She nods, pinning me with her gaze. “You’ve been with other guys, right?”

“None that are around all the time,” I scoff. Then I immediately throw a hand over my mouth. “Shit, that sounded catty, didn’t it? I don’t hold it against any of you.”

Alana laughs. “You know the real reason Rose had a problem with you? It wasn’t with you, it was with Gray. He used to be… well she was… fuck. What I’m trying to say is that for a time, they were regular. But everyone knows that’s not his thing.”

“She had feelings for him,” I whisper, horrified.

“No, it’s not like that.” Alana shakes her head vehemently. “There’s a certain prestige in fucking the VP. But since you’re not used to our way of life, I’m not sure you’d get it. So just take my word for it. And anyway, having you, an outsider here, was a blow to her pride.”

I shift in my seat, and rest my elbows on my knees. “I get it,” I almost whisper.

Alana shakes her head again. “That’s the thing, Zo, I’m not sure you do. It’s not about feelings. Gray never took the time to think about his actions. Rose thought she was in for something he never promised her, and that’s on her. But he should also have spared two fucking minutes to explain it to her. Either way, she went about it the wrong way. Taking it out on you isn’t the answer.”

“Right… but—”

Holding up her hand, Alana interrupts me. “No buts, Zoe. What I’m telling you are facts. You can either accept or reject them, but don’t try to twist what you don’t understand.”

All I can do is nod, because her request is more than fair. It’s true, I don’t understand the way they do things here. I don’t know what it was like to be in Rose’s position. All I can do now is accept it happened, and hope it’s in the past.

“Now, about your revenge plans,” Alana says, getting us back on track. “Look, I’m just going to come out and say it. If you use the secret about his dad, you’re going to break his heart. Are you sure that’s what you want to do?”

I expected her to ask if I was ready for him to lose his shit, not if… if…

“Not you too,” I gripe. “What is it with you people acting like Grayson has feelings for me beyond having fun fucking me?”

Alana huffs and rolls her eyes. “Are you sure you didn’t make up the entire thing about being admitted to Harvard? I thought only smart people went there, and right now you’re acting too willfully stupid for it to even be funny.”

My jaw becomes slack, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s just about to hit the floor. I bite back an angry retort since it’s not her fault her timing sucks. But really… now isn’t the time to joke about it. Not when it was only yesterday that I found out I’m apparently never going. And definitely not when Grayson keeps insisting he has… that he wants…

“What the fuck are you rambling about?” I ask, not ready to agree with her, or him, for that matter.

Just no. I’m not ready for that. After I’ve gotten my revenge, I can consider it. But not a minute before.

Cocking her head, she looks like she’s debating something with herself. “Hmm maybe you just don’t see it… no, that’s not it. You’re definitely avoiding it.”

Having had enough of this discussion, I snap, “Can’t you just let me avoid it?”

“That,” she cackles, “I can definitely do.”

Alana stands up, taking my hand and pulling me with her. Then she pulls me in for a hug.

“Thank you for trusting me,” she says, and I’m surprised by the emotions thickening her voice. “It’s nice to know you see me as a friend too.”

I can only gape as she basically gives voice to my thoughts.

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