The night had fallen, casting the forest in darkness, but the tension in the pack remained heavy. Jerome sat by the window, staring out at the moonlit trees, lost in her thoughts. The encounter at the training grounds still echoed in her mind. The hostility, the way the pack viewed her—like she didn't belong. It gnawed at her, pulling her further into doubt.
Ian had gone out after ensuring she was safe in their quarters, claiming he needed to handle pack matters. She knew it was more than that. Ian's way of dealing with conflict was through control, and when things slipped from his grasp, he became more ruthless. Tonight, he would be setting things straight, but at what cost?
Jerome sighed, her fingers tracing the edge of the window. She felt suffocated, trapped by the walls around her and by the invisible chains Ian had wrapped around her heart. She loved him, that much she knew, but his possessiveness, his need to dominate every aspect of her life, was wearing her down.
Suddenly, a knock at the door broke through her thoughts. She frowned, glancing at the clock. It was late, too late for visitors. Rising from her seat, she approached the door cautiously. When she opened it, she was surprised to see one of the pack's elders standing there—a woman named Cora, known for her sharp mind and even sharper tongue.
"May I come in?" Cora asked, her tone polite but guarded.
Jerome hesitated but stepped aside, allowing Cora to enter. She had always been wary of the elders. They had supported Ian's leadership in the beginning, but ever since Jerome had entered the picture, their faith in him had wavered.
"What brings you here?" Jerome asked, closing the door behind her.
Cora glanced around the room before turning her sharp gaze to Jerome. "I've come to talk to you. To warn you, really."
Jerome's stomach tightened at her words. "Warn me? About what?"
Cora stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Ian. His control is slipping, and it's because of you."
Jerome flinched at the accusation. "I'm not trying to make things worse for him," she defended. "I care about him."
Cora sighed, shaking her head. "It's not about how you feel. It's about how he's changing. The other Alphas are watching him, waiting for him to slip, and his obsession with you is making him vulnerable."
Jerome's heart pounded in her chest. She had known that Ian's possessiveness was a problem, but she hadn't realized how much it was affecting his position as Alpha. "What are you saying? That I should leave him?"
Cora's gaze softened slightly, but her expression remained serious. "I'm saying you need to be careful. Ian's love for you is dangerous—not just for him, but for you as well. If he loses control, if he becomes too focused on you, the pack will fall apart, and you'll be caught in the middle of it."
Jerome swallowed hard, the weight of Cora's words pressing down on her. She had always felt like Ian's obsession was suffocating, but hearing it from someone else made it real in a way she hadn't expected.
"I love him," Jerome said quietly, her voice trembling slightly. "I don't want to leave him."
Cora studied her for a moment before nodding. "I believe you. But love alone won't be enough to save him—or you. If you want to stay by his side, you need to find a way to balance the power between you. Otherwise, you'll be the reason he falls."
Jerome felt a lump form in her throat. She had never thought of herself as someone who could bring down an Alpha, but the reality of her situation was sinking in. Ian's obsession wasn't just a personal issue—it was a threat to his leadership, and by extension, to both of their lives.
"I'll try," Jerome whispered, unsure of how she could possibly fix something that felt so broken.
Cora nodded, turning to leave. But before she reached the door, she paused, glancing over her shoulder. "One more thing, Jerome. Be careful of the shadows. Not all of Ian's enemies will come at him head-on. Some will try to get to him through you."
With that, Cora slipped out the door, leaving Jerome standing alone in the dark room, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and uncertainty.
As the door clicked shut behind Cora, Jerome sank onto the edge of the bed, her mind swirling with questions and doubts. Could she really find a way to help Ian? Or was their love destined to destroy them both?
The shadows in the room seemed to close in around her, and Jerome couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching her from the darkness, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
To be continued...