42. The Narcissist
forty-two
The Narcissist
*MARTIN*
Jordan waits for Jonah to disappear before turning his attention back to me. “Finally, we meet in person, Martin.”
“It’s an honor, Alpha Jordan,” I say. To make sure I appear convincing, I try to lean into my anxiety, which I am feeling right now. He will like it if I appear respectful, yet nervous.
“My men like you,” Jordan says. “And I am interested.”
“I don’t know if I am deserving of that attention,” I admit.
Jordan laughs. “Martin, I’ll give you some advice: There is a time to be humble, and there is a time to accept a compliment. This is the latter.”
I pretend to be slightly flustered. “Thank you, Alpha,” I say. “I am usually not this anxious.”
“So, I have heard,” Jordan says. He looks content, though. I guess my strategy is working on him. “Jonah told me that you are an overall, composed man but very straightforward with what you want and what you’d like to achieve.”
“That’s probably true. Is that bad?” I ask him.
“Not at all. I like a man who knows what he wants, and who doesn’t talk too much,” Jordan says. “You know Jonah recorded you, don’t you?”
“Yes,” I say.
“Aren’t you scared Forest will find out?”
“Eh… well, part of me is,” I admit. “But I am just so…” I brush through my hair. “It’s probably not smart to tell this to another alpha, but you know anyway, so… I am frustrated. With the overall situation in the pack, with what happened to Alpha Harry—”
“And Donna?” he asks.
“I don’t really care a lot about Donna,” I say. “Harry was the one who always supported me and made me into who I am.”
“Yeah, Donna is feeble and has no impulse control,” Jordan agrees. “Harry was a good ally, though.”
“They are constantly watching him,” I say. “I meant it when I told Jonah that I wish I could just leave.”
“I know,” Jordan says. “And I meant it when I told you to be patient.”
His voice is calm, his whole demeanor is charismatic, and the whole conversation isn’t unpleasant at all.
I know he has anger issues, I know he is a cruel man, but nothing of it comes through.
I can see now why so many fall into his trap, especially when they don’t know him. What a dangerous man he is.
“What do you want me to do?” I ask.
Jordan takes a sip from his drink. “Why do you think I want you to do something?”
“Too bold?” I ask. “I was just hoping you would want me to do something.”
Jordan smirks. “Maybe, I do. Harry was a good friend.”
I nod tentatively. “I know he held you in high regard.”
“Do you think you could get him out?” Jordan asks.
“With Griffin and the elders constantly on the watch, I doubt it’s possible so soon,” I say.
“Could you give him an opening without raising suspicions? For a few hours, maybe.”
I pretend to think his question through. “I know our warriors well,” I muse. “There are one or two I could distract easily…”
“How?”
I grin. “They are unmated wolves.”
At that, Jordan laughs. “I see. So, you are saying you could provide Harry with an opening to come and go?”
I nod. “I think I could do it, but what if he runs? If he runs, it might risk everything.”
“Martin,” Jordan sighs. “Harry is a smart man. He knows how to play the game.”
“You are right, I am sorry. I should have more faith in him,” I admit. “With having to make sure Forest doesn’t suspect me, I have to play along with everything. I really want to make it up to Harry and try to help him.”
“You are in a difficult position,” Jordan says. “You are doing what you need to do as the beta, but now you have the chance to do the right thing.”
I nod. “That’s what I am hoping for. I really owe Harry a lot, you know?” I straighten my back. “Please give me this chance,” I add. “I will make sure to give Harry the opening he needs to leave and come here.”
“Good,” Jordan nods. “I want him to be able to visit next week, Tuesday.”
“I am responsible for the schedule of the guards,” I say. “I will make it work. He will be here on Tuesday.”
“And I want you to accompany him.”
Again, I nod. “That actually makes it easier. He will only need to sneak off the pack grounds, then I can easily meet with him and bring him here safely.”
Jordan looks content. “I am counting on you, Martin.”
“And I won’t disappoint you.” I pause. “May I ask a question?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Why Tuesday?”
Jordan smirks. “It’s a special night here.”
“More special than usual?”
At that, Jordan chuckles. “Tell me, what do you think the upstairs entails?” he asks.
“Well,” I say. “A place men can have fun in.”
Jordan grins. “You have a way with words, Martin.”
“Not really,” I admit. “I am actually not really talkative. But it’s easier here with Jonah and the others.”
“Tuesday night, we have a special night for our main customers here,” he says.
“And… and I am allowed to join?”
“If you manage to bring Harry here, I don’t see why you shouldn’t,” Jordan says. He leans forward a little. “I reward loyalty, Martin. If you hold up your part of the deal, then I will hold up mine.”
“Why do you trust me?” I ask.
“I don’t… yet,” Jordan says.
“But enough to meet me here,” I point out.
“Because I see your potential,” he says. “Bringing Harry here will be your test. Besides… Harry talked highly of you, constantly. He said you were the son he wished he had.”
I try not to grimace at his words. Yeah, I can imagine.
And somehow it makes me feel gross that I was so much of a quiet pushover that he truly thought of me as more capable than his own son.
“My father was always a close friend of Harry,” I say.
“Harry is honestly like a second dad to me. I learned everything from him.” I pause.
“There are things you can never forget and pay back. I will make sure Harry receives justice.”
“That aligns with what Harry told me,” he says before he stretches his neck and takes another sip from his drink. “Now it’s my turn to ask a question.”
“Of course.”
Jordan leans back, eyeing me thoughtfully. “Clemmens,” he suddenly says, and I just know he doesn’t buy it that Clemmens simply left the pack.
I decide to play along and shrug. “What can I say, Alpha Jordan? Unfortunately, I wasn’t there when things went down.”
“So, I have heard,” Jordan says, and I am feeling eternally grateful that I truly wasn’t around when the idiot tried to abduct the luna.
I decide to push my luck a little further. “What is it about that woman?” I ask. “She completely turned Forest against Alpha Harry. That’s insane. How? And Beta Clemmens completely threw reasoning aside for her.”
Jordan stares at me. “You think Clemmens had his eyes set on her?”
I shrug. “I don’t know, I don’t know him. He just gave off weird vibes.”
“If I had planned on kidnapping her, I wouldn’t have been so reckless,” Jordan says. And for a split second, he looks pissed. “And I certainly wouldn’t have been caught.”
So, it really wasn’t his idea.
“I thought so,” I admit. “From what I heard, it was amateurish at best.”
“Fuck,” Jordan groans. “He could have ruined everything.”
“I know.”
“Maybe you are right, and he did have his eye on Rosea.” Jordan’s expression turns into a grimace of anger, the cracks in his mask obvious now.
“He was always hesitating when it was about me putting her in her place,” he says.
“The woman is sly as fuck, and a master manipulator. I knew she was dangerous, but I still took her as my chosen mate to help her family and pack. And look how she is paying me back?”
I lower my voice to a whisper. “She has Forest completely in her palm.”
“He is easy to manipulate,” Jordan mutters.
“Yes, but she also manipulated the pack against Lissa. She had them stand up for the omegas out of all!”
Jordan looks up at me, furrowing his brows. “That sounds like something Rosea would do.”
“Plus, Griffin is totally on her side, too.”
“And the elders,” Jordan hisses.
“I mean, I did hear that Clemmens had a male mate,” I muse.
“Yeah, Rory,” Jordan says. “It seems he is back. I should have killed him when I had the chance, but the guy is a weasel. To imagine he is now back with Rosea.” He tightens the grip on his glass until cracks start to appear. “He was Clemmens’ mate.”
“He could be bi,” I say. “Clemmens, I mean.”
Jordan looks at me. “Clemmens told me once that he doesn’t really care for genders.”
I nod tentatively. “And you also said he was always hesitating about going against your former luna?”
Jordan leans back now, his frown just growing. “I am starting to believe you have a point. It doesn’t make sense otherwise.” In a sudden movement, he hits the table with his fist. “That backstabbing asshole,” he snarls. “He was after her.”
“She probably knew,” I say quietly. “And used him.”
“That would be like her.” Jordan frowns. “I always wondered how she managed to run and leave the pack. I didn’t think he would betray me. The guy constantly had my back. But she disappeared under his watch. And to imagine I gave him a second chance after that—"
“And then he goes and tries to steal her for himself,” I say, feigning disbelief. “That’s insane!”
“Do you know where he is?” Jordan asks.
“Unfortunately, not. I just know he isn’t in my pack. One of our elders took over and is handling his situation.” I frown. “I can try to find out. I just don’t want to alert Forest too much.”
Jordan nods. “Smart move not to ask too many questions,” he says. “Focus on Harry for now. We’ll deal with Clemmens later.” He turns his head towards me, winking. “And now, do you want to see the upstairs?”
“Can I?” I ask. “Really? I thought I’d have to wait until Tuesday.”
“I changed my mind,” Jordan smirks. “I will give you a sneak peek.”
I decide my next few actions within seconds, and I am not sure if Forest or Rose would approve of it, as it could prove to be dangerous if Jordan found out. But under the pretense of having to use the restrooms, I set up my phone to record everything we hear from now on.
“Sorry for making you wait,” I tell him.
“It’s fine. The tour will take a while after all.”