The night seemed darker than usual, as if the weight of the recent encounter had dimmed the stars themselves. Jerome's heart was still pounding from Ian's kiss, his possessive declaration echoing in her mind. His intensity, his need for control—it was overwhelming. She had never met anyone like him, someone so sure of what they wanted, so certain that she belonged to them.
But beneath that certainty, Jerome could sense something else: fear.
Ian was afraid. Not of Leon or the red-haired woman, but of losing her. She had seen the way his eyes darkened with desperation, the way his grip on her tightened as if she might slip away at any moment. It scared her, too—this intensity, this possessiveness. But it also stirred something inside her, something she couldn't quite explain.
As the pack settled in for the night, Jerome lay awake, her mind racing. Ian had made it clear that he wasn't going to let her out of his sight, and while part of her resented the lack of freedom, another part of her felt… safe. Safe in a way she hadn't felt before. Despite the danger, despite the growing threat that loomed over them, Ian's presence was a constant, unwavering force. He would protect her, no matter the cost.
A soft knock at the door of her cabin startled her from her thoughts. She sat up quickly, her heart skipping a beat. "Who is it?" she called softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It's me," Ian's deep voice came from the other side. "Open up."
Jerome hesitated for a moment before swinging her legs over the side of the bed and walking to the door. When she opened it, Ian stood there, his expression unreadable in the dim light. He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, his presence immediately filling the small space.
"You can't sleep either, can you?" he asked, though it wasn't really a question. He knew. He could always sense what she was feeling, even when she tried to hide it.
Jerome shook her head, leaning against the doorframe. "There's too much on my mind."
Ian moved closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "You're thinking about them," he said, his voice low. "About what they said."
She nodded. "They're dangerous, Ian. You know that. And they're not going to stop until they get what they want."
Ian's jaw tightened, a muscle ticking in his cheek. "I don't care what they want. They won't get it. Not from me."
Jerome crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes searching his face. "But what if they're right? What if you can't face them alone? You don't have to fight this battle by yourself, Ian."
His eyes softened for a moment, and he reached out, cupping her face in his large hand. "I'm not alone," he said quietly. "I have you."
Jerome's breath hitched at his words, the vulnerability in his voice taking her by surprise. For all his strength, for all his dominance, there was a part of Ian that needed her just as much as she needed him. The bond between them was undeniable, even if it terrified her sometimes.
"Ian, I…" she began, but before she could finish, he leaned down and kissed her again, silencing her words. His lips were softer this time, but the urgency was still there—the need to claim her, to remind her that she was his.
When he pulled away, his forehead rested against hers, his breath warm against her skin. "I don't know what's going to happen next," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I swear to you, Jerome, I'll protect you. No matter what."
Jerome's heart ached at his words. She wanted to believe him, wanted to trust that he could keep her safe. But the danger they faced felt bigger than either of them. Leon and the red-haired woman weren't just threats—they were part of something larger, something more powerful. And Jerome couldn't shake the feeling that they were only the beginning.
As if sensing her doubt, Ian pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest. She could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath her cheek, the warmth of his body grounding her in the present. For a moment, the fear subsided, replaced by the comforting rhythm of his heartbeat.
They stood like that for what felt like an eternity, the world outside their cabin forgotten. But eventually, Ian released her, his hands lingering on her shoulders as he looked down at her.
"You should rest," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "Tomorrow, we'll figure out our next move."
Jerome nodded, though sleep felt like a distant possibility. As Ian turned to leave, she caught his hand, stopping him in his tracks.
"Stay," she whispered, the word slipping out before she could stop it. She wasn't sure why she said it—whether it was fear or something else entirely—but she didn't want to be alone tonight. Not after everything that had happened.
Ian hesitated for only a moment before nodding. He shut the door behind him and walked over to the bed, sitting down beside her. Jerome climbed in, pulling the blankets up around her, and Ian lay down beside her, his body a solid, protective presence next to hers.
For a long time, they lay in silence, the quiet of the night settling around them. Jerome's mind still raced, but with Ian beside her, the fear felt more manageable. She could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest, the warmth of his body seeping into hers.
As her eyes finally began to droop with exhaustion, Ian's arm wrapped around her, pulling her closer. His voice, soft and low, broke the silence. "Sleep, Jerome. I'm here."
And for the first time in what felt like days, Jerome allowed herself to close her eyes, letting the safety of Ian's embrace lull her into a restless sleep.
To be continued...