Chapter 48– Sasha’s Schemes

(Sasha’s POV)

The forest beyond the clearing shimmered under the pale moonlight, the silver glow brushing the treetops in a way that almost mocked me. Sitting in the quiet of the clubhouse, I allowed myself a small, triumphant smile. Everything was already in motion. Little by little Cole was beginning to slip, just as I had predicted. The supposed bond with the naive human, Ella, flickered under the pressure I was applying, my whispers, my manipulations, my careful nudges were beginning to slip into his mind and heart.

Cole’s weakness had always been obvious for all to see. His pride, his guilt, his jealousy were all perfect storm for my influence. I didn’t have to force him into doing anything, all I have to do is open the doors and let his instincts lead him astray. He was mine to shape, mine to pull, mine to destabilize. And at this very moment, coupled with Ella’s naivety, I had an even greater advantage. She isn’t aware of what is at stake, she didn’t have an understanding of the depth of my subtle sabotage, and she most certainly couldn’t see how easily her position could she replaced.

I leaned back in my chair, considering what next step I should take. Patience was key. Rush it, and I’d appear desperate; hesitate, and Cole might regain control over his emotions. I had to be precise, patient, invisible, and irresistible all at once. A soft laugh escaped me. He isn’t even aware that I was influencing him, not directly. He was already drawn toward conflict and desire, and all I had to do was fan the flames just enough.

The bond was a tricky one though. The connection between Ella and Cole wasn’t one that’s weak, it was tender and stubborn, but I would still strike. I could create a whispered lie about her loyalty, a subtle misleading glance, a carefully timed question about her interactions with Jasper, just little acts that could create doubt, suspicion, and, most importantly, frustration in Cole’s mind. The tension would mount, and with it, his attraction to me would intensify.

I allowed my gaze to drift to the forest again. The night air smelled of pine and rain-soaked earth. It was tranquil, almost peaceful, and yet the serenity outside mocked the storm I was orchestrating inside the pack. Everyone of them thought they were in control—the alpha, Marcus, even Cole himself but the truth was far more delicious. I was the unseen force, that with the right amount of pressure, I would be able to steer the strongest wolf.

I rose, moving silently through the clubhouse, each step measured, each motion a deliberate one. While others were busy, no one could notice my quiet presence. Behind every act, every time I appear helpful, they was a mask beneath those acts. Every action was calculated to advance my position. Every glance, every casual comment, every seemingly innocent question was another thread weaving the web around Cole and Ella.

My fingers brushed over the stack of notes I had prepared: reminders of rumors to plant, whispers to leave in hallways, subtle suggestions to the younger wolves. Each note, each strategy, was a weapon, even though it was silent, invisible, it still was deadly in its effect. I reveled in the intricacy, the precision. This was more than just power; this was art.

I thought about Cole. His guilt was exquisite—sharp, lingering, and malleable. His jealousy over Jasper’s closeness to Ella was almost too easy to exploit. I could feed on his envy with a whisper here, a shadowed glance there, and watch him writhe internally. The thrill of watching him caught between his desires and his sense of duty was intoxicating. He had never been fully mine, but even in a way that Ella could never compete with, he had always belonged to me. And now, finally, I had a chance to prove it—to assert that no human could ever match the pull I had over him.

The best victories were the one won with patience and as such I didn’t allow myself to rush. The kind that unfolded slowly, until the target believed every step had been their own idea. Cole’s spiral was under way, but all I had to do is to just to keep the pressure just right. If I push too hard, he might resist outright; too soft, and the bond might strengthen despite my interference. Everything has to be done with subtlety.

I thought about Ella, the human girl who dared to claim a connection with the alpha’s son. Yes, she was clever, yes, but also naive. She didn’t understand the weight of the bond or the complexities of pack politics. She trusted Cole, and that trust was her vulnerability. I could use it, manipulate it, and watch as the cracks began to show. Her smiles, her care, her attempts at nurturing his bond—all of it could be weaponized, framed in ways that made Cole question what he truly felt, what he truly wanted.

This thought gave me a thrill. The power I held, the control I could exert, all of it was just intoxicating. I allowed myself a small indulgence, I could just imagine Cole faltering under the pull of my presence, turning to me for guidance, for solace, for… something more. And when that time came, I would be present, patient and prepared, ready to fully step into the space he had vacated in his own heart.

My gaze wandered around the empty room, settling on every little detail, the way the shadows fell, the way the furniture was placed, the subtle scent of Ella lingering faintly in the air. I could play all of this into my advantage. Even the environment could be manipulated to unsettle him, to remind him of his divided loyalties, to make him doubt his own desires.

The forest whispered again outside the window, and I let the sound settle into my mind like a soft, coaxing lullaby. All of this was just a reminder that patience was required, that the slow burn that would eventually lead to victory. That every moment mattered, every look, every word, every subtle act would accumulate until the bond, even though fragile could begin to fray under my influence.

I allowed myself another sip of my drink, letting the cool liquid steady my pulse, and smiled. I had always been the strategist, the manipulator, I had always been the one who saw the angles when no one else noticed. And now, the ultimate prize—the alpha’s son, was torn and vulnerable—was now within reach. Cole’s guilt, his jealousy, his lingering attachment to me—all of it could be shaped, guided, and finally claimed.

Patience, precision, power. Those were my tools, my domain. My victory.

And soon, very soon, all of this would be mine.