Jerome's pulse raced as she watched Ian. His usual confident, commanding demeanor had been replaced with uncertainty and something else—fear. She had never seen him like this before. The red-haired woman's words echoed in her mind, her heart pounding in sync with the dread pooling in her stomach.
"What are you not telling me, Ian?" Jerome's voice was soft but firm, her eyes locking onto his. "I need to know. No more secrets."
Ian paced back and forth, his hands clenched into fists, as if grappling with the weight of whatever he was about to reveal. Finally, he stopped and turned to her, his intense gaze holding hers, though she could see the conflict raging behind those piercing eyes.
"I was trying to protect you," he began, his voice rough. "From this… from me."
Jerome frowned, her confusion deepening. "What do you mean?"
He took a deep breath, as if steeling himself. "There's a reason I'm the Alpha of this pack. A reason I've had to be the strongest, the most ruthless. It's not just about leading them. It's about controlling something far more dangerous inside me."
Jerome's heart skipped a beat. She had always known Ian was different—powerful, even for an Alpha—but there was something darker, something he had kept hidden from her all along.
"Ian, please," she whispered. "Just tell me."
Ian hesitated for a moment longer, then spoke, his voice low and filled with regret. "I wasn't born an Alpha, Jerome. I was chosen… cursed. It's a power that's been passed down through generations, but it comes with a price."
Jerome's throat tightened, her mind racing as she tried to process what he was saying. "A curse?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ian nodded, his jaw clenched. "The White Wolf Alpha isn't just a leader of the pack. It's a force—a curse that binds us to this power. The more I use it, the more it consumes me. I've been fighting it for years, but it's growing stronger. And now, with you in my life…"
Jerome's breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean?"
Ian's eyes darkened as he took a step closer, his voice thick with emotion. "The curse doesn't just affect me. It affects anyone I'm bonded to. That's why I've been so possessive, so controlling. I can't help it. The curse amplifies everything—my need to protect you, my obsession with you. It's becoming harder to control, and I'm afraid…"
His words trailed off, but Jerome could feel the weight of what he wasn't saying. Her heart sank as she began to understand. "You're afraid it'll hurt me," she said softly, completing his thought.
Ian's jaw clenched, his gaze filled with anguish. "Yes. If I lose control, I don't know what I'll do. That's why I've kept things from you. I didn't want you to be part of this. But now… now you are, and there's no turning back."
Jerome's mind spun with the revelation. Ian had been hiding this from her, not out of malice, but out of fear—for her safety. The obsessive behavior, the possessiveness—it all made sense now. But even with the truth laid bare, it didn't make the situation any less terrifying.
"Ian," Jerome began, taking a tentative step toward him, "why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I thought I could control it," Ian replied, his voice filled with regret. "But it's stronger than I am. And now that you're here, now that we're bonded, it's pulling me deeper. That woman—she was right. I didn't want you to find out like this, but you had to know."
Jerome stood still for a moment, letting his words sink in. The danger was real, but despite everything, she couldn't shake her feelings for Ian. His need to protect her, no matter how intense or overwhelming, was rooted in his love for her. She could see that now.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward and gently placed her hand on his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath her fingers. "We'll figure this out, Ian," she whispered. "Together."
Ian's eyes searched hers, his expression conflicted. "You don't understand. This curse… it could kill you. I don't know how to stop it."
"Then we'll find a way," Jerome said firmly. "I'm not leaving you."
For a moment, Ian simply stared at her, as if trying to absorb the weight of her words. Then, slowly, his tense posture relaxed. He reached up and gently cupped her face in his hands, his touch both tender and desperate.
"I don't deserve you," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Jerome's heart ached at the vulnerability in his eyes. "Yes, you do," she replied softly. "And I'm not going anywhere."
Just as the tension between them began to ease, a loud howl echoed through the forest, sharp and piercing. Ian immediately tensed, his protective instincts kicking in.
"They're here," he growled, his voice hardening as he pulled away from Jerome.
Jerome's pulse quickened as she heard the distant sound of footsteps approaching. The wolves had returned—and they weren't alone. Whoever, or whatever, had killed Leon's scout was coming for them.
Ian moved toward the door, his body tense and ready for the battle ahead. "Stay inside, Jerome," he ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument.
But Jerome wasn't about to let Ian face this threat alone. "No," she said, her voice firm. "I'm coming with you."
Ian turned to look at her, his eyes flashing with a mix of anger and fear. "Jerome, this isn't a negotiation. You need to stay safe."
Jerome stepped forward, her expression determined. "I'm not staying behind while you fight alone, Ian. We're in this together."
Ian hesitated for a moment, his gaze locked on hers. Then, finally, he nodded, though the tension in his body remained. "Fine. But stay close."
As the howls grew louder, Jerome braced herself for what was to come. The danger was real, and the stakes were higher than ever. But no matter what happened, she wasn't going to abandon Ian.
They would face this together.
To be continued...