The morning sun broke through the clouds, casting a soft glow over the forest that surrounded the pack house. Jerome woke up with a start, her heart pounding in her chest as fragments of a nightmare slipped away. The memory of the wolf's eyes watching her, lurking in the shadows, refused to fade. Despite the sunlight, the unease from last night clung to her, a constant reminder that danger was close.
Ian had already risen, his side of the bed empty but still warm. She could hear him downstairs, talking quietly with members of the pack. His deep voice carried through the house, calm but commanding. He was preparing for something—Jerome could feel it in the air, in the way the pack seemed tense, like a bowstring pulled taut, ready to snap at the slightest provocation.
She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. The house felt different this morning, as if the shadows from the night had left a mark that daylight couldn't erase. Jerome tried to shake off the feeling, telling herself that Ian would handle it, that he would protect her. But deep down, she knew that whatever was coming wasn't going to be that simple.
Throwing on a sweatshirt, Jerome made her way downstairs. The moment she entered the kitchen, Ian's eyes found her. His gaze was sharp, focused, scanning her face as if searching for any sign of distress. His possessive nature was even more apparent now, heightened by the threat hanging over them both.
"You didn't sleep well," he observed, his tone neutral, but his eyes filled with concern.
Jerome shrugged, trying to downplay the unease gnawing at her. "I had another nightmare," she admitted quietly. "About the wolf."
Ian's expression darkened, and he reached out, pulling her to him with a gentle but firm grip. His hands settled on her waist, grounding her in the present, away from the fear that plagued her dreams. "It's nothing you need to worry about," he said softly, his lips brushing against her forehead. "I'll take care of it."
Jerome nodded, though she wasn't sure she believed him. The nightmares felt too real, the danger too close. And while she trusted Ian's strength, she couldn't shake the feeling that there were forces at work that even he couldn't control.
"Ian," she began, hesitating. "What if it's not just about the wolf? What if… there's something else?"
He stiffened, his grip tightening on her for a brief moment before he relaxed. "What do you mean?" His voice was low, guarded.
Jerome bit her lip, unsure how to put her fears into words. "It feels like more than just a threat. Like something bigger is coming. I can't explain it, but—"
"You don't need to explain," Ian interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. He cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to look into his eyes. "Nothing will happen to you. I'll kill anything or anyone who tries to hurt you."
His words were a promise, dark and final, but Jerome wasn't sure if they brought her comfort or fear. Ian's protectiveness was all-encompassing, but it came at a cost—his obsession with keeping her safe often bordered on suffocating.
She leaned into his touch, feeling the warmth of his hands against her skin. "I trust you," she whispered, though a part of her wondered how long she could live in this shadow of fear and control.
Ian pressed a kiss to her forehead before releasing her. "Good. Now stay here today. Don't leave the house." His voice carried an edge of command, and Jerome knew it wasn't a request. It was an order.
Jerome watched as he moved toward the door, pausing only to give one last lingering look. "I'll deal with the wolf. Stay safe, Jerome."
And then he was gone, leaving her alone in the house once more.
The silence that followed was oppressive. Jerome wandered through the empty rooms, her mind racing. She knew Ian was doing everything he could to protect her, but she couldn't ignore the gnawing feeling in her gut—that something was about to happen, something she couldn't escape.
As the hours passed, Jerome found herself standing by the window, staring out into the forest. The trees stood tall and unmoving, but she could feel the presence of something watching her, lurking just beyond the tree line.
And then she saw it—a flash of movement, too quick to catch fully, but enough to make her heart leap into her throat. The dark wolf was there, watching her once again.
Jerome froze, her breath catching as her eyes locked onto the shadowy figure just at the edge of the trees. The wolf's glowing eyes met hers, sending a chill through her entire body. It didn't move, didn't make a sound—just watched.
Her hands trembled as she stepped back from the window, heart racing. Whatever it was, it was waiting. Waiting for the right moment to strike.
Jerome knew, deep down, that the danger was far from over. And this time, Ian's protection might not be enough to save her from the darkness creeping closer.
To be continued...