The house felt colder the moment Ian left. Jerome stood by the door, her body trembling as the sound of howls echoed through the forest. The rival alphas were here, their presence a tangible force pressing in on her from all sides. Ian's words still echoed in her mind, his command to stay inside and lock the doors. But every instinct in her body told her to follow him, to be by his side.
She moved toward the window, pulling the curtain aside just enough to peer out. The forest seemed darker now, as if the approaching wolves had cast a shadow over the land. In the distance, she could see Ian's figure, strong and unyielding, disappearing into the trees. He was going to face them—alone.
Jerome's heart pounded in her chest. She couldn't just stand here, waiting while Ian faced whatever was coming. The thought of him out there, fighting for her, filled her with dread. But at the same time, she knew the dangers of leaving the house, of stepping into a battle she wasn't prepared for.
Still, the pull to follow him was too strong to ignore. She grabbed her coat and slipped out the door, ignoring the small voice in her head that told her she was making a mistake.
The night air was crisp, and the sounds of the forest seemed louder, more menacing, as she made her way into the woods. Each step felt heavy, as though the ground beneath her was trying to pull her back, to keep her from moving forward. But she pressed on, driven by the need to be with Ian, to face whatever dangers awaited them—together.
As she ventured deeper into the forest, the howls grew louder, more distinct. They were closer now, surrounding her, filling the air with an ominous sense of foreboding. Jerome's breath quickened, her fear mounting with every step. She wasn't sure if she was heading toward Ian or walking straight into the enemy's trap.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. Jerome froze, her heart leaping into her throat. It wasn't Ian.
The wolf stood before her, its glowing eyes locked on hers. It was the same wolf that had been watching her from the edge of the forest, the one that had haunted her nightmares. Its dark fur blended with the night, making it seem like a living shadow. But this time, it wasn't just watching—it was here, confronting her.
Jerome took a step back, her pulse racing. The wolf didn't move, but its presence was enough to send a wave of terror crashing over her. It was larger than any normal wolf, its eyes glowing with a supernatural intensity that made it clear this was no ordinary creature.
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Jerome and the wolf locked eyes, the tension between them palpable. She could feel its power, its connection to the rival alphas that had come for her. It was as if the wolf was a messenger, sent to warn her of what was to come.
Then, without warning, the wolf lunged.
Jerome barely had time to react. She stumbled backward, her body moving on instinct as she tried to avoid the attack. The wolf's massive form sailed past her, its claws grazing her arm as it landed in the dirt. Pain shot through her, sharp and burning, but she didn't have time to think about it. The wolf was already turning, preparing to strike again.
Jerome's mind raced. She wasn't a fighter—she had no idea how to defend herself against something like this. Panic surged through her as the wolf closed in, its growl low and menacing. She was outmatched, out of her depth, and there was no one here to save her.
Just as the wolf leapt again, something snapped inside Jerome. Her fear transformed into a surge of adrenaline, and she dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the creature's claws. She knew she couldn't keep this up for long—she needed to find a way out, to escape before the wolf overpowered her.
But then, just as the wolf prepared for another attack, a powerful growl filled the air.
Ian.
The white wolf appeared from the trees, his massive form dwarfing the dark wolf that had been chasing her. His eyes blazed with fury as he charged at the creature, his body a blur of motion. Jerome watched in awe as Ian collided with the dark wolf, the force of his attack sending the creature sprawling.
The two wolves clashed, teeth and claws tearing at each other in a violent struggle for dominance. Ian's strength was overwhelming, his rage palpable as he fought to protect Jerome. The dark wolf stood no chance against him.
Within moments, it was over. The dark wolf lay motionless on the ground, defeated. Ian stood over it, his chest heaving with exertion, his white fur stained with blood. He turned to Jerome, his eyes softening as he shifted back into his human form.
"Jerome," he breathed, rushing to her side. His hands found her shoulders, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I told you to stay in the house."
Jerome clung to him, her body trembling. "I couldn't. I had to be with you."
Ian's grip on her tightened, his voice low and dangerous. "You almost got yourself killed."
She looked up at him, her heart aching. "I'm sorry, Ian. I couldn't just wait and do nothing."
His eyes flashed with a mixture of frustration and relief. "You're mine, Jerome. And I will never let anything take you from me."
As he held her close, Jerome knew that the danger was far from over. The wolves had come for her—and they would come again.
To be continued...