Ian returned late that night, his presence immediately filling the room with an intensity that made Jerome's heart race. He was covered in dirt and blood from patrolling the borders, his expression hard and unreadable. Jerome watched him from her place by the fire, her mind still reeling from what Kael had told her.
The curse. The thought of it sat heavily in her chest, a dark cloud over the fragile peace they had built. Ian's obsession, his need to control her, wasn't just about love—it was something darker, something more dangerous. And the worst part was, she didn't know how much of it was really Ian and how much was the curse.
"Jerome," Ian's voice was a low rumble as he crossed the room toward her, his eyes softening slightly as they met hers. "You're still awake."
She nodded, trying to push down the swirling thoughts in her mind. "I couldn't sleep."
Ian knelt beside her, his large hand reaching out to gently touch her cheek. His eyes scanned her face, concern flickering in his gaze. "You're worried," he said quietly. "Is it because of the rogue?"
Jerome hesitated. She had to tell him. She had to confront the truth that had been kept from her, but she wasn't sure how. Ian had always been the strong one, the one who protected her from the world. How could she tell him that she now feared what was inside him?
"Ian," she started, her voice soft but steady, "there's something I need to ask you."
His brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't interrupt, waiting for her to continue. Jerome took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to find the right words.
"Kael told me about the curse," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. "About the White Wolf Alpha, and what it means for you."
The silence that followed was thick and suffocating. Ian's expression shifted, the warmth in his eyes flickering and being replaced by something darker, more guarded. He slowly stood, stepping back from her as if the distance could protect him from the conversation they were about to have.
"You shouldn't have listened to him," Ian growled, his voice rough. "Kael doesn't understand."
Jerome stood too, her heart pounding. "Ian, I need to know the truth. I need to understand what's happening to you—what's happening to us."
Ian's jaw clenched, and for a moment, Jerome thought he might refuse to answer. But then he sighed, running a hand through his hair as he turned away from her. The tension in the room was palpable, and Jerome felt her heart aching at the sight of him. He looked tired, burdened by something far greater than even his role as Alpha.
"The curse," he began, his voice low, "is real. It's something every White Wolf Alpha has carried. It was passed down to me the moment I took the title. And yes, it's true—it feeds on obsession. On the need to possess, to control."
Jerome's breath hitched, her worst fears confirmed. "And… your feelings for me?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Ian turned to face her, his eyes blazing with intensity. "My feelings for you are real, Jerome. Don't ever doubt that. But the curse—it amplifies everything. The more I care for you, the more I need to protect you, to keep you with me. It twists love into something darker. And I can't stop it."
Jerome swallowed hard, her mind racing. "So, this isn't just you?" she whispered. "The way you… the way you need to control me, the way you're so possessive—it's the curse?"
Ian's expression hardened, a flicker of frustration crossing his features. "It's me, and it's the curse," he admitted. "But that doesn't change the fact that I can't let you go. I won't let you go."
Jerome's heart ached at his words, the intensity of his love overwhelming her. She had known Ian was possessive, but now she understood why. The curse was feeding off his love for her, turning it into something more dangerous, something that could destroy them both if left unchecked.
"I don't know how to fight this, Jerome," Ian confessed, his voice cracking with emotion. "I'm trying to protect you, but every day it gets harder. The more I love you, the more the curse consumes me."
Tears welled in Jerome's eyes as she took a step toward him, her hand reaching out to touch his arm. "Ian, I love you too," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "But we can't live like this. We can't let the curse control us."
Ian's eyes softened at her touch, his hand covering hers as he pulled her closer. "I don't know how to stop it," he whispered, his voice filled with anguish. "I've tried, but the more I resist, the stronger it gets."
Jerome pressed her forehead against his chest, her tears spilling onto his shirt. She didn't know what to do, but one thing was clear—they couldn't keep living like this. The curse was a darkness that hung over them, and unless they found a way to confront it, it would tear them apart.
"We'll figure it out," she promised, her voice barely above a whisper. "We have to."
Ian wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as if afraid she might slip away. In that moment, Jerome realized just how deep his fear ran—how terrified he was of losing her. But as she clung to him, she also understood that the curse was more than just a threat to Ian's soul.
It was a threat to them both.
To be continued...