Chapter 63 Scheming

Chapter 63 Scheming
Odessa's POV

I slipped back into my chambers in the darkness, my heart pounding from the narrow escape. The library had been too close—Dawn bursting in, his eyes blazing with that dark fury. I'd barely made it out through the side door before he could spot me fully. Bambi, that pathetic little Omega, standing there with the map in her hand. She could have been my ally, but no, she hesitated. And now? Now everything was at risk.

I locked the door behind me and leaned against it, breathing deeply. The room was lavish, as befitted a Luna filled with silk drapes, a massive four-poster bed, crystal lamps casting soft glows. But it felt like a cage tonight. Dawn's cage. I hated him for that. For everything.

"Aunt Ivy?" I called softly, knowing she was nearby. She always was, lurking in the darkness of the pack house, ready to scheme with me. We'd built this facade together, after all. I wasn't the real Odessa Starling—I'd taken her place years ago, with Ivy's help. She knew my secrets, and I knew hers. We were bound by ambition.

The hidden panel in the wall slid open, and Ivy stepped through. She was in her early forties, with that wavy brown hair and her pretty, deceptive smile. But tonight, her eyes were sharp, worried. "Odessa? What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I pushed off the door and paced to the window, staring out at the dark forest beyond the pack lands. "Not a ghost. Worse. Dawn caught Bambi in the library. With the map to Calandra."

Ivy's smile faded. She closed the panel and moved to sit on the edge of my bed, folding her hands in her lap. "Tell me everything. Slowly. We can't afford mistakes now."

I turned to face her, crossing my arms. "I went to the library as planned. Bambi was there with that servant friend of hers, Sable. They were whispering about escaping to Calandra, the witch who can break Dawn's bond. I saw my chance. I approached Bambi, told her we could work together. Steal his power. I'd get the throne, she'd get her freedom."

Ivy nodded, her expression calculating. "And? Did she agree?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "She was tempted. I could see it in her silver eyes—the fear, the doubt. She knows Dawn's using her for that Onyx Power of his. But she said no. Called it betrayal. As if loyalty to that monster means anything."

Ivy leaned forward, her voice low. "But the map? You said Dawn saw it."

"Yes. I was still there, hidden in the stacks, when he stormed in. Growled at her like she was trash. Accused her of planning to leave him. To break them." I smirked a little, remembering his pain. "He looked hurt, Aunt. Actually hurt. That's new."

Ivy's brows furrowed. "Hurt? Dawn? He's ice through and through. If he's showing weakness, it's because the power's unstable. Calandra warned him about that, didn't she? Years ago, before he took the Alpha title."

I nodded, sinking into the chair across from her. "Exactly. The Onyx Power needs a mate to stabilize it. Bambi's that mate. If she leaves or breaks the bond, he crumbles. Slowly, painfully. That's why he's obsessed with her. Not love but survival."

We sat in silence for a moment, the clock on the wall ticking softly. I could feel my anger building. "I offered her a way out. Told her he'd destroy her once he didn't need her anymore. But she refused. And then Dawn locked her away like a prisoner."

Ivy tapped her fingers on her knee. "Locked her? In her old room?"

"Yes. I watched from the hall as the guards marched her there. Sable tried to follow, but they stopped her." I leaned back, rubbing my temples. "It's a setback, but not the end. We can still turn this."

Ivy stood and paced now, her wavy hair swaying. "How? If Bambi's under guard, she can't help us. And Dawn's on high alert."

I smiled coldly. "We don't need her right away. We need information. About Calandra. She's Dawn's aunt, his mother's sister. If anyone knows how to steal the Onyx Power without the bond, it's her. But we can't approach her directly. Too risky."

Ivy stopped pacing and looked at me. "Then what? We wait?"

"No." I rose and walked to my desk, pulling out a small, hidden drawer. Inside was a vial of clear liquid—a scent masker I'd gotten from a rogue contact. "We use Jasper. Dawn's brother hates him more than anyone. Jasper's vengeful, promiscuous, useless in the pack thanks to Dawn stripping his position. But he knows things. About the family. About Calandra."

Ivy's eyes lit up. "Jasper? He's weak, Odessa. Married, but always chasing skirts. What makes you think he'll help?"

I held up the vial. "Leverage. I know his secrets too. Remember? He had a mate once—Dawn killed her. Jasper's never forgiven that. If we promise him a shot at revenge, he'll talk."

Ivy nodded slowly. "Alright. But how do we contact him without Dawn knowing? The pack house is crawling with guards."

I slipped the vial into my pocket. "Tonight. Under the full moon's shadow. Jasper sneaks out to the old ruins on the edge of the territory. Meets his lovers there. I've watched him."

Ivy raised an eyebrow. "You've been spying on him?"

"Of course. Knowledge is power, Aunt. You taught me that." I moved to the wardrobe and pulled out a dark cloak. "I'll go alone. Use this to mask my scent. You stay here, cover for me if anyone asks."

She hesitated, her pretty smile turning into a frown. "It's dangerous. If Dawn catches you..."

"He won't." I fastened the cloak around my shoulders. "He's too busy with his precious Bambi. Probably groveling to her right now."

We shared a look, ambition mirroring ambition. Ivy stepped closer and hugged me briefly. "Be careful, child. We need you for this to work. The Imperial Pack will be ours."

"I know." I pulled away and headed for the secret panel. "Wait up for me. We'll plan the next step when I return."

The night air was cool as I slipped out through the hidden tunnels Ivy had shown me years ago. They wound under the pack house, emerging in the dense forest. I doused myself with the scent masker—odorless to me, but it would fool any wolf's nose. The ruins weren't far, an old stone structure from the pack's ancient days, overgrown with vines.

I arrived early and hid in the shadows, waiting. Minutes ticked by slowly. An owl hooted overhead. Then, footsteps. Jasper appeared, his form tall like Dawn's but softer, less muscled. His hair was tousled, and he glanced around nervously. No lover tonight? Interesting.

"Jasper," I whispered, stepping out.

He whirled, eyes widening. "Odessa? What the hell are you doing here?"

I held up my hands. "Relax. I'm not here to cause trouble. Yet."

He growled low, but there was no real threat in it. "Dawn sent you? To spy?"

I laughed softly. "Dawn? Please. I hate him as much as you do."

That stopped him. He narrowed his eyes. "What do you want, Luna?" The title dripped with sarcasm.

I leaned against a crumbling wall, keeping my voice even. "Information. About Calandra. Dawn's aunt."

Jasper's face darkened. "Why? What's she to you?"

"She's key to taking him down. You know about the Onyx Power, don't you? How it's tied to his mate now, Bambi."

He spat on the ground. "His breeding mate? Yeah, I know. Dawn's obsessed. It's pathetic."

I nodded. "Pathetic and vulnerable. Calandra can break that bond. Or... help steal the power."

Jasper's interest piqued. He stepped closer. "Steal it? How?"

"Tell me where she is first. Exactly. Not just rumors."

He hesitated, rubbing his jaw. "Why should I? What's in it for me?"

I smiled. "Revenge. For your mate. For everything Dawn took from you, starting from your position, your respect. Help me, and when I take the throne, you'll have power again. Real power."

He stared at me for a long moment. The wind rustled the leaves around us. "You think you can beat him?"

"With the right tools, yes."

Another pause. Then, "Calandra lives in a cabin deep in the neutral woods, beyond the eastern border. Hidden by wards—only family blood can find it easily. But there's a path marked by three oaks in a row. Follow the stream north from there."

I memorized it. "And her weaknesses? Anything Dawn doesn't know?"

Jasper smirked. "She's loyal to family. But the Onyx Power? She fears it. Told Dawn once that if it's not balanced, it could destroy the whole pack. Use that."

"Good." I straightened. "We'll talk more soon. Stay quiet."

He nodded, but his eyes were hungry. "Don't screw this up, Odessa. I want him to suffer."

"You and me both."

I slipped away, back through the forest, my mind racing. With this, I could approach Calandra myself. Or intercept Dawn if he took Bambi there. The pieces were falling into place.

Back in my chambers, Ivy was waiting, a cup of tea in hand. "Well?"

I shed the cloak and sat beside her. "Jasper talked. Gave me the location. Calandra's cabin, he said she is at the eastern border, three oaks, north stream."

Ivy's smile returned. "Perfect. Now, how do we use it?"

I took the tea from her, sipping slowly. "We watch. Dawn might take Bambi there himself. He's desperate to keep her. If he does, we follow. Sabotage."

Ivy nodded. "And if not?"

"Then I go alone. Pretend to be seeking help for the pack. Charm her. She's family-oriented—Jasper said so."

We talked for hours, our voices low, planning every detail. The risks, the backups. Ivy suggested involving Sable, Bambi's friend seemed sneaky, ambitious under that servant facade. I agreed. We'd approach her tomorrow.

"What if Bambi tells Dawn about our offer?" Ivy asked, her tone worried.

I set the cup down. "She won't. She's scared, but deep down, she doubts him. I saw it in her eyes."

Ivy reached over and squeezed my hand. "You're clever, Odessa. Cunning like me."

I squeezed back. "We both are. That's why we'll win."

As the night wore on, we refined the plan. No rush, just careful steps. Dawn thought he had control, but he didn't know the half of it. His obsession with Bambi would be his downfall. And I'd be there to take everything. The power. The pack. The throne.

By dawn, exhaustion hit, but it was worth it. Ivy slipped back through the panel, promising to scout Sable in the morning. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. For the first time since the library, I felt in control again. Slow, steady. That's how we'd dismantle him.

And when it was done? I'd be the true Alpha. No more pretending. No more cages.