The following days passed in a blur, each one marked by the tension between Ian and the pack. Jerome watched as Ian's frustration grew. He spent more time away from her, dealing with the pack's concerns and trying to restore their faith in him. It left her alone, with too much time to think and too little reassurance.
Jerome wandered through the pack's territory, her mind restless. She could feel the eyes of the pack members on her wherever she went. Their whispers followed her, laced with suspicion and distrust. She had become the outsider, the cause of their Alpha's perceived weakness. It was a weight she hadn't expected to carry, and it suffocated her.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized how deeply she was entangled in Ian's world. There was no escaping it. His hold on her was firm, his obsession ever-present. And yet, she found herself unable to resist him, even as she questioned what they were becoming.
She found herself near the pack's training grounds, where some of the younger wolves were sparring. They stopped as soon as they noticed her, their eyes narrowing in silent judgment. Jerome hesitated, not wanting to provoke them, but before she could turn away, one of the older wolves approached her.
"Jerome, right?" His voice was rough, and the way he said her name made it clear he didn't see her as part of the pack.
Jerome nodded, her heart pounding. She could sense the hostility radiating off him, and she knew better than to engage in a confrontation.
"Ian's got us all on edge because of you," the wolf continued, his gaze cold. "Things were different before you showed up. Better."
Jerome swallowed, her hands trembling slightly. She had been preparing herself for this—confrontations with the pack were inevitable—but it still caught her off guard. "I'm not here to cause trouble," she said quietly.
The wolf scoffed, crossing his arms. "You think we don't see what's happening? You're distracting him. Making him weak. An Alpha who can't control his emotions isn't fit to lead."
"That's not true," Jerome snapped, her voice rising in defense of Ian. "He's not weak. He's doing everything he can for the pack."
The wolf's eyes flashed with anger. "He's losing focus, and we all know it's because of you. You're a problem he didn't need."
Before Jerome could respond, another voice cut through the tension.
"That's enough."
Jerome turned to see Ian striding toward them, his expression dark and menacing. The air around him seemed to thrum with power, and the wolf immediately stepped back, bowing his head in submission.
"Ian," Jerome began, but he silenced her with a look. His eyes blazed with anger—not at her, but at the wolf who had dared to confront her.
"I don't care what you think," Ian growled at the wolf, his voice cold and dangerous. "But you don't get to speak to her like that. Ever."
The wolf flinched, nodding quickly. "Of course, Alpha," he muttered before turning and retreating, leaving Jerome and Ian standing alone.
Jerome's heart raced as Ian turned his gaze to her, his expression softening slightly. But there was still a storm brewing behind his eyes, one that worried her.
"Are you okay?" Ian asked, his voice gentler now.
"I'm fine," Jerome replied, though her voice wavered. "I can handle myself."
"I know you can," Ian said, stepping closer to her. "But they won't stop. They'll keep testing you, testing us."
Jerome looked away, the weight of his words pressing down on her. "They don't trust me."
"They don't have to," Ian said firmly. "As long as you're with me, they'll learn to fall in line."
Jerome shook her head, frustration bubbling up inside her. "That's not the point, Ian. This isn't just about them obeying you. I don't want to be the reason the pack falls apart."
Ian's jaw tightened, and he reached out to cup her face, his thumb brushing gently against her cheek. "You're not the reason for anything," he said softly. "They'll understand in time. I'll make them understand."
Jerome leaned into his touch, closing her eyes for a moment. But as much as she wanted to believe him, the growing rift between them and the pack felt like a chasm that could never be crossed.
"I just want things to get better," Jerome whispered, her voice filled with uncertainty.
Ian's grip tightened slightly, his possessiveness slipping through. "They will. I won't let anyone tear us apart."
His words were meant to be reassuring, but to Jerome, they felt like a promise laced with danger. Ian's love for her was fierce, all-consuming, but it was also isolating. The deeper they fell into each other, the more the rest of the world faded away, leaving them trapped in their own twisted bond.
As she looked into Ian's eyes, Jerome couldn't help but wonder if they were heading down a path from which there would be no return.
To be continued...