Jerome woke up the next morning to the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. She turned in bed, her body aching from the tension of the previous night. Her arm still throbbed where the wolf had clawed her, but the pain was dulled by the exhaustion that weighed heavily on her.
Ian had been up before her, his side of the bed empty and cold. She wasn't surprised—after last night's attack, she knew he would be restless, patrolling the perimeter, making sure no more enemies lurked in the shadows. Still, the emptiness beside her only deepened the unease that had settled in her chest.
Throwing back the covers, Jerome stood and made her way to the window. She pulled the curtains aside and gazed out at the forest. The trees stood tall and silent, the morning mist hanging low over the ground like a veil. It was peaceful now, but the memory of the dark wolf's attack lingered in her mind.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the creak of the front door opening downstairs. Jerome quickly dressed and made her way down, her heart racing as she found Ian in the living room. He stood by the fireplace, his back to her, staring into the dying embers of the fire.
"You're awake," Ian said without turning around, his voice low and rough with fatigue.
"I couldn't sleep," Jerome admitted, stepping closer to him. "What about you?"
Ian let out a tired sigh, his shoulders tense. "I can't sleep when I know they're still out there."
Jerome's heart ached at the sight of him—so strong, yet so burdened by the constant threat hanging over them. She wished she could ease his pain, make things simpler for him. But this wasn't a world where simplicity existed.
"Did you see anything?" Jerome asked, her voice quiet as she reached out to touch his arm.
Ian shook his head, still staring into the fireplace. "No. They're gone for now, but it won't be long before they come again."
Jerome's chest tightened with fear. "Do you think it'll be worse next time?"
Ian finally turned to face her, his expression hard. "It always gets worse."
She looked into his eyes, searching for some sign of hope, something that would make her believe they could escape this cycle of violence. But all she saw was the grim reality they were trapped in. Ian had been fighting for so long, protecting her from enemies she couldn't even fully understand.
"I can't live like this, Ian," Jerome whispered, her voice trembling. "Always waiting for the next attack, always wondering if we'll survive the night."
Ian's expression softened as he stepped closer, his hands finding her shoulders. "You don't have to worry, Jerome. I'll protect you. I promised I would, and I'll keep that promise."
"But at what cost?" Jerome asked, her voice thick with emotion. "You can't keep fighting forever. And I can't stand the thought of you getting hurt because of me."
Ian's jaw tightened, his grip on her shoulders firm but gentle. "You're not the reason I fight, Jerome. I fight because you're mine, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."
Jerome's heart pounded in her chest. She knew Ian meant every word, that his possessiveness over her was as fierce as his love. But the fear that gnawed at her wouldn't let go. She didn't want to be the reason he was constantly in danger. She didn't want to be the weakness his enemies exploited.
"Ian," she said softly, her voice pleading. "There has to be another way. Something that doesn't involve you putting yourself in danger every time a rival alpha shows up."
Ian's eyes darkened, his expression unreadable. "There is no other way, Jerome. This is the world we live in. Alphas fight. Packs challenge each other. And as long as you're with me, you're a part of that world."
Jerome swallowed hard, her mind racing. She didn't want to be a part of that world. She had never asked for this. But how could she walk away from Ian now, after everything they had been through? How could she leave him to face this danger alone?
"I can't lose you," she whispered, her voice breaking.
Ian's gaze softened, and he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest. "You won't lose me, Jerome. I'll always be here. No matter what happens, I'll protect you."
Jerome closed her eyes, her body trembling as she clung to him. His words were a comfort, but they didn't erase the fear that lurked in the back of her mind. How many more nights like this would they have to endure? How long before Ian's strength wasn't enough to keep the danger at bay?
"I love you, Ian," Jerome whispered, her voice barely audible against his chest.
Ian's grip tightened, and he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I love you too, Jerome. More than anything."
For a moment, they stood there in silence, holding each other as the fire slowly died. Jerome wished she could stay in this moment forever, safe in Ian's arms, away from the violence and the fear that threatened to tear them apart.
But deep down, she knew that the peace they had now was fleeting. The wolves would come again, and when they did, Jerome feared that the cost of their love would be higher than either of them could bear.
To be continued...