The quiet of the cabin was almost unnerving. Outside, the wind rustled through the trees, a steady rhythm that felt like the deep, slow breaths of the forest around them. Inside, Ian moved with purpose, lighting a small fire in the hearth as the cool evening air crept in. Jerome watched him silently, her thoughts racing despite the peaceful setting.
She had faced Aiden—confronted him in front of the entire pack. It was a bold move, one she hadn't anticipated making, but her emotions had taken control. Seeing Aiden's arrogance, his constant manipulation, she couldn't stand by any longer.
But now that the adrenaline had worn off, the consequences of her actions weighed heavily on her.
"What are you thinking about?" Ian's voice was soft, but it startled her out of her thoughts. He looked up from the fire, his dark eyes searching her face.
Jerome sighed, pulling her knees up to her chest as she sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm just wondering what's going to happen next. Aiden isn't the type to just let this go."
Ian nodded, his expression hardening. "You're right. He won't. But that doesn't mean we're going to let him walk all over us. We've got the pack on our side now, Jerome. They saw what you did today, and they respect you for it."
Jerome felt a small surge of pride at his words, but it was quickly overshadowed by worry. "What if Aiden tries to divide the pack? Or worse… what if he comes after me again?"
Ian crossed the room in a few strides, sitting beside her on the bed and taking her hand in his. His touch was warm, grounding her in the moment. "If he tries anything, he'll have to go through me first. And trust me, I'm not going to let him lay a finger on you."
She believed him, but the reality of their situation still felt precarious. Ian was strong, but Aiden was relentless. And Jerome knew that if Aiden couldn't win through force, he would find another way to strike—probably in the shadows, where no one could see.
"I don't want you to get hurt because of me," she whispered, her fingers tightening around his.
Ian's gaze softened, and for a moment, the hardness of his Alpha exterior faded. He leaned in, his forehead resting against hers. "You're not a weakness, Jerome. You're my strength. Everything I do, I do for you."
The sincerity in his voice made her heart clench. Jerome had never expected to fall so deeply for Ian. What had started as fear and confusion had slowly transformed into something deeper, something that scared her more than she wanted to admit.
She couldn't lose him—not now, not when their bond was stronger than ever.
Jerome closed her eyes, resting her head on Ian's shoulder. The fire crackled in the background, filling the room with a soft warmth. "I just want this all to be over. I want Aiden gone."
"He will be," Ian promised. "But we have to be patient. Aiden is cunning, but he's also reckless. Eventually, he'll make a mistake, and when he does, we'll be ready."
The words offered some comfort, but Jerome couldn't shake the feeling of dread creeping up her spine. Aiden wasn't going to wait quietly. He was plotting something, she could feel it.
As the night wore on, they stayed close, sharing quiet moments in the fading firelight. But even as Ian's presence soothed her, Jerome's mind refused to settle. Every shadow outside the cabin felt like a potential threat, every creak of the floorboards a sign of something lurking.
Eventually, Ian fell asleep beside her, his breathing slow and steady. But Jerome lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts a tangled mess of fear and determination.
She had come so far, faced so much, and she wasn't about to back down now. But the path ahead was filled with uncertainty, and she knew that the next time Aiden struck, it would be more dangerous than ever.
The storm was coming, and when it hit, Jerome would have to be ready.
To be continued...