A Trap
thirty-eight
*ROSEA*
Over a week has passed since my identity was revealed, and for the first time in ages, I am actually setting out to do some much-needed shopping.
Meanwhile, Martin had his night out with Jordan’s boys, a night that proved to be successful, not just because of his being shown the club, but also, he is now in constant contact with Jonah and Clemmens.
He is supposed to visit the club on one of the upcoming casino nights, and there are plans to show him the upstairs area.
I don’t know what said area entails, but just like Martin, I have the sickening feeling that it’s nothing good.
A brothel would be one thing, but the fact that Martin saw some of the women being harassed and looking extremely uncomfortable, paired with what we know that some alphas sold their lunas to Jordan, I am afraid it’s more than just a brothel.
Please, don’t let him do actual trafficking.
Jordan is a brutal, unempathetic sociopath, but even he has to have some limits, doesn’t he?
And if he doesn’t have them, why did he never sell me?
We were his mate, Alora interrupts my train of thought. We were mates, Rosea.
It didn’t mean much to him.
That’s true, but I know that it meant something to his wolf. I don’t know how he managed to overpower his wolf’s urges to stay loyal to us, but I am sure it was impossible for him to sell us out to other men.
The mate bond held him hostage, I muse. Maybe that’s one of the reasons he wanted to get rid of us.
It’s a possibility.
No matter what, he is a cruel man. We need to stop him.
We are very much on the same page here. Alora wants Jordan gone, probably even more than I want him gone. I guess his betrayal stung on a different level for her. I am happier that she is on board with becoming chosen mates with Forest and Darien.
“This is the place,” I say to my driver.
With every single one of us too busy to even think straight, Forest sent three of his elite warriors with me, to run errands. He himself has a meeting and will join us a bit later.
“Here we are, Luna.” One of the elite warriors politely opens the car door for me. This is all new. I never had anyone in my old pack treat me with an ounce of respect.
“Thank you.” I smile warmly at him. “And thank you for your help today.”
He looks a bit flustered, yet also smiles happily. “Of course, Luna.”
One of the warriors is set to wait in front of the mall while I go inside with the other two.
My goal is to check out potential new shops that are more affordable than those Harry and Donna used, especially now that we know Donna has gambled with so much money.
I particularly want to focus on what the orphanage, nursery, and infirmary need.
Dr. Francis gave me a whole list of necessities, as did the heads of the other two establishments.
It takes some time to go through everything and find places I like that are affordable, but also have decent quality.
The two warriors with me don’t complain even for a minute and obediently follow me everywhere.
I try to involve them in some of my decisions, hoping they will realize that their opinions are valued, too, from now on—and also to prevent them from being bored to death.
“I don’t know much about the needs of the kids in the nursery,” one of the men, Paul, tells me. “But my mate works in the orphanage.”
“Oh really?! I had no idea,” I exclaim. “That’s a lucky coincidence that out of everyone, you are accompanying me today. What do you think the kids there need? We got everything from the list, but I am sure there is more.”
“The more is mostly fun stuff,” he admits.
“Like what?”
“I know the smaller kids would love a doll’s house, plus the outside area could use a swing.”
I nod. “We are planning on rebuilding the building next to the packhouse as the new orphanage,” I explain. “Gamma Griffin is leading the project. We haven’t decided yet on who else will join, but it sounds like you would be a good fit. Is this something you can see yourself doing?”
“Help with the planning and building?” he asks.
I nod.
His whole face lights up at my question, and he stands a little taller. “It would be a great honor.”
Paul talks more about his mate’s work, the second warrior slowly joining our talk, too. His brother works in the infirmary, and while the infirmary is much better equipped thanks to Dr. Francis, I am glad to hear a little bit more about it from another insider.
“We should probably grab something to eat now,” I say. “Alpha Forest will join us soon, but we still have a bit of time left.”
“Can we really join you?” Paul asks.
“Of course. You’ve helped me for hours. I’ll invite you to a late lunch. Any preferences?”
The two men exchange a look, their eyes glossing over. I let them have their little discussion, waiting until they are ready to tell me their suggestion. “There is a good burger place here,” Paul says. “But we aren’t sure… if you would…”
I can’t help but grin at his awkwardness. “Do you think I am too high maintenance for burgers?”
“No,” Paul exclaims. “But… you are so elegant, Luna.”
I chuckle. “Burgers sound fine. Let me just head to the restrooms first.”
The two guys accompany me to the door leading to the restrooms. I leave them with the many bags before making my way through the corridor.
I don’t mind public restrooms, but I hate the ones in malls.
Either they are incredibly crowded or a complete mess of pee and toilet paper, or literally in the furthest corner of the mall.
This time it’s the latter. Now I get why there is barely anyone around. It’s like walking through an underground pathway in a deserted club or industrial building.
I walk past the male restrooms first when something catches my eye.
Yellow tape? There is a paper stuck to the door to the male restrooms saying it’s under maintenance.
Well, maybe it’s just the male restrooms. When I walk a bit further, though, I notice the same glaring yellow at the door of the female restrooms.
Odd. Why didn’t they put up a sign anywhere? I can get behind a notice at the main entrance disappearing, due to so many people walking by, and some people would probably mess with such a sign. But since I stepped through the main door, I’ve passed two more, and I am certain there should be signs.
Or… It’s not a coincidence.
I grab my bag tighter.
It’s not a coincidence!
Damn it!
I don’t know what kind of trap it is, but I know it is one. Somewhere close to me, I hear footsteps, making my blood rush through my veins. My heartbeat picks up frantically, my blood pressure high enough to make my ears feel dull. Damn it! I have to act.
Now!
I am about to turn on my heels and make a run for it when there is a sudden growl and something hard hits my head.
My head throbs when I force my eyes to open, my mind going into survival mode immediately. I was used to being disoriented whenever Jordan slapped me around, and equally used to gathering my bearings and senses quickly.
I am feeling calm, too calm. It’s the same feeling I had when I broke into Harry’s study, and the reason why Forest is sometimes worried about me. Sometimes I just get… numb.
Alora is quiet, eerily so, so, wolfsbane probably.
Damn it, of course, whoever attacked me would make sure I can’t fight back. Talking about fighting back… I am firmly tied to a chair in a warehouse, not able to move my arms or legs properly. The place is dimmed; there is no noise other than my own breathing.
I don’t know how late it is, but there is a small window at the top of the room, with sunshine still coming through, so it’s not evening yet.
My eyes search through the room until they catch the silhouette of a person.
I straighten my posture, making sure not to come off as weak and scared.
Hopefully, my two guards noticed my disappearance soon and alerted Forest. I am sure he will do everything in his power to find me. Now is not the time to fret.
“Who are you?” I ask calmly, my eyes still pinned to the silhouette. It looks to be a man, pretty tall, strong build.
Jordan?
My heart freezes at the thought, but then I remember he is stronger built than this man who stands in the shadows. This one is not of alpha build, but definitely stronger than the regular wolf.
A ranked wolf, probably.
No way.
“You have to be kidding me,” I mutter, feeling yet a new wave of disappointment surging through me.
I thought I couldn’t get any more disappointed, but it seems I still haven’t reached the bottom of the barrel.
Granted, I can not be entirely sure it’s him, but I decide to take a wild guess now. “Clemmens.”
I can see him startle, immediately knowing I am right.
“You can stop hiding,” I say. “I know it’s you. At least show some backbone, now.”
He hesitates, as usual. He always hesitated, even when he was still on my side. I do wonder if he ever truly was on my side, or just had my back at the beginning because it was convenient for him. He changed his mind pretty fast and followed Jordan.
Sure, he hesitated sometimes. He hesitated when Jordan hit me, and he demanded Clemmens to look away. He hesitated when Jordan humiliated me. He hesitated when Jordan framed me for cheating. He hesitated when Jordan forced me to break our bond.
He always hesitated.
But to put it into Griffin’s words, he can shove his hesitation to where the sun doesn’t shine.
When Clemmens finally steps out of the shadows, I can see it yet again in his eyes. Hesitation.
“I can’t believe you,” I sigh. “You attacked and kidnapped me. Really, Clemmens? Just how much lower do you want to sink?”
“I had no choice,” he mutters.
“You had plenty of choices,” I tell him. “And you are responsible for the decisions you’ve made. You could have left Jordan long ago, but you didn’t. His promises must be good.”
“He did not buy me with money,” Clemmens exclaims.
“How did he buy you then? With his formidable personality? With his high values? With his ethical regiment?”
Clemmens clenches his hands to fists, pressing his lips against each other to a thin line.
“You didn’t have any noble reasons,” I say. I still don’t know why he really changed sides, but I don’t think I will ever be able to fully understand his reasoning and forgive him.
He unclenches his fists, trying to look more chilled now. “The pack needed me,” Clemmens says.
“No, it didn’t. It doesn’t. Jordan doesn’t either. You are replaceable. All of his close men are. You guys just don’t see it,” I shrug. “I was his luna, and even I was replaceable to him.”
“Damn it, Rosy—"
“Don’t call me that; I am not Rosy anymore.”
“You will always be Rosy to me,” he argues.
“No, I won’t.” I pause, fighting back the fury for the sake of staying calm and level-headed.
The more composed I am, the more I’ll be able to throw him off.
Hopefully. “Are you here to argue about my name, or will you tell me what I am supposed to do now? Do you want to sell me off to Jordan, to another alpha?”
“No, that’s not it!”
“Then what is it?”
“The pack needs you,” he exclaims. “We need you!”
I blink. Once, twice, needing a moment for it to sink in. Then I laugh. “Don’t be an idiot, Clemmens. The pack literally tossed me aside.”
“No, it’s not true,” he mutters. “You should have…”
“I should have what?” I ask.
“If you only placated Jordan more.”
“Do you hear yourself talk?” I ask. “Placated him more? The man assaulted me. What else did you want me to do?”
“The girl is useless; he can’t take her as his chosen mate,” Clemmens blurts out. “You owe it to your pack!”
“The girl has a name,” I say. “She is a person. I know Jordan and you, and some of your friends don’t see them as people, with feelings and their own personalities.
But she is her own person, and her name is Clara.
” I narrow my eyes to glare. “And as for your second point. I don’t owe my pack anything.
In fact, I stayed for way too long. If anything, you all owe me! ”
“But you can’t do that,” Clemmens exclaims. “You need to come back to us. And it’s not like you have a choice. Jordan will pick you up tonight.”
I look at him, a part of me feeling scared at Jordan being in any way close to me again without Forest’s protection.
I have no idea what he will do to me if he has me in his grasp again, but the other part just feels utterly disgusted.
“You really are a failure as a beta,” I spit.
“A major failure. To imagine I had faith in you, my father had faith in you, and Rory did. But you are utterly useless in this rank.”
Clemmens drops to his knees and tugs at his hair. “Don’t you think I know that?” he yells.
“If you know it, what are you still doing with Jordan?”
“I can’t leave his side,” he huffs, panting. “He is my friend.”
I shake my head. “No. Rory was your friend, and I was your friend, not Jordan.”
“Don’t mention his name,” Clemmens yells, covering his ears as if it hurts him even hearing it.
“Rory,” I say, just to repeat it again. “Rory was your friend, and you betrayed him. I don’t know what happened but he did everything to protect me and died because of it. Rory was tossed aside. The pack tossed him aside, you tossed him aside, just like you tossed me aside.”
Clemmens eyes snap up, they are bloodshot now. I am not sure if it’s pain or anger of both. “I did not kill him!”
“You may as well have,” I say. “You claim he was your friend, but you betrayed him, over and over again. Do you think Rory would appreciate what you are doing? Do you think Rory—"
“Shut up!” he screams.
“Do you think Rory would still consider you a friend?”
“I said, shut up!”
“If Rory could see you now—"
Clemmens head snaps up, his eyes turning black now. Okay, here we go. I am not sure if it was smart to rile him up like that. When he attacks me, it might not end too well for me, but maybe I can use the moment to get free. If he hits me from the right angle, I could fall and the chair might break.
Clemmens is up on his feet now, running towards me. I turn to the side slightly, bracing for impact.