Jerome rushed back to the house, her footsteps quick and unsteady, heart hammering against her ribcage. The encounter with the dark wolf had left her unnerved, and she couldn't shake the feeling that the danger was far from over. Her mind swirled with questions—why had it been watching her so closely? What did it want? And more disturbingly, was it alone, or were there others?
As she reached the front door, she hesitated, glancing back toward the forest. The trees stood tall and silent, their branches swaying gently in the wind. But beneath the peaceful facade, she sensed something darker lurking, hidden just out of sight.
She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, trying to catch her breath. The house felt colder than usual, the shadows deeper. Ian's absence weighed heavily on her, and for the first time since arriving here, Jerome truly felt alone.
She wandered through the empty halls, her thoughts a jumble of fear and confusion. The feeling of being watched had followed her inside, and she couldn't shake the sense that the wolf—or something else—was still near.
Ian had warned her about enemies lurking in the shadows, but she had never imagined it would feel so close, so personal. Her life had already become a web of dark desires and control under Ian's obsessive love, but now, something outside was pushing its way in.
Jerome made her way to the kitchen, her fingers trembling as she grabbed a glass of water. The cool liquid did little to calm her nerves. She needed to talk to Ian, to warn him about the wolf, but she feared his reaction. Every time danger had come close, Ian's protective instincts only grew more intense. If she told him about the wolf, would he spiral further into his obsession, tightening his grip on her even more?
The sound of the front door opening startled her. Her heart leaped into her throat as heavy footsteps echoed through the house. She set the glass down and quickly stepped out of the kitchen, her pulse quickening.
It was Ian.
He walked in with a determined, focused expression, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on her. Relief flooded Jerome's chest for a brief moment, but it was quickly replaced by a knot of anxiety.
"Ian," she breathed, stepping toward him. "I saw it again. The wolf."
Ian's expression darkened immediately, his jaw clenching as he closed the distance between them. "Where?" His voice was low, controlled, but Jerome could feel the barely restrained anger simmering beneath the surface.
"Just outside," she replied, her voice shaky. "It was watching me again, just like last night. I—" She hesitated, glancing toward the window. "It feels like it's following me, Ian. I don't know why, but—"
"Enough." Ian's voice was sharp, cutting through her words. He grabbed her by the shoulders, his grip firm but not painful. "I told you I'd protect you, didn't I? No one, and nothing, will come near you."
Jerome nodded, her throat tight with the weight of his words. Ian's eyes were blazing, filled with the same possessiveness that both terrified and comforted her. His love for her was fierce, consuming, but it was also a prison she couldn't escape from. And now, with this new threat looming, she wasn't sure how much longer she could stand being caught in the middle.
"Ian, I'm scared," Jerome whispered, her voice barely audible.
Ian's expression softened, but only slightly. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers, his hands sliding down to her waist, pulling her closer. "I won't let anything happen to you," he said quietly, his breath warm against her skin. "You're mine, Jerome. I'll tear apart anyone who tries to take you from me."
His words sent a shiver down her spine, and though they were meant to reassure her, they left her feeling more trapped than ever. Jerome wanted to believe him, to trust that Ian could keep her safe, but the darkness outside—and the darkness inside him—were growing. And she didn't know which one would destroy them first.
As they stood in silence, Ian holding her tightly against his chest, Jerome's thoughts raced. The wolf was out there, watching, waiting. And somehow, deep in her gut, she knew this wasn't the end of it. The shadows in the forest were closing in, and soon, they would have to face whatever was lurking just beyond the edge of their world.
And when they did, there would be no turning back.
To be continued...