Chapter 44: The Pack’s Growing Concerns

As the days passed, Ian slowly began to heal. His wounds, though deep, responded well to the care of Lia, and soon, the worst of the pain had faded. But while his body healed, the tension within the pack seemed to grow. Jerome could sense it every time she walked through the packhouse—the way the wolves would glance at her and then quickly look away, the murmurs that stopped whenever she entered a room.

The atmosphere was thick with unease, and Jerome couldn't ignore it any longer.

Sitting at Ian's side one morning, she watched him as he prepared to attend to pack business. His strength was returning, but Jerome could see the exhaustion still lingering in his eyes. She reached out, her hand brushing lightly against his arm. "Something's wrong," she said softly.

Ian paused, glancing at her with a raised brow. "What do you mean?"

"The pack," Jerome continued, frowning. "They're acting strange. Ever since the fight with Kieran, it feels like... like something's changed."

Ian's expression darkened slightly, and he looked away, his jaw tightening. "They're just being cautious," he muttered. "It's normal after a fight like that. They're still on edge."

But Jerome wasn't convinced. She had seen the way the pack members avoided her gaze, the way they whispered behind her back. It wasn't just caution—it was something more.

"Ian," she said gently, leaning forward to meet his gaze. "You can't keep dismissing this. There's something they're not telling us."

Ian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "The pack has always been wary of outsiders, especially after what happened with Kieran," he admitted. "But they'll get over it. Once they see that we're strong—together—they'll come around."

Jerome frowned, feeling a pang of doubt. She wanted to believe him, but the unease she felt wasn't something that would just disappear. "What if they don't?" she asked quietly. "What if they see me as a threat, or worse—your weakness?"

Ian's eyes flashed with anger at her words, and he reached out, gripping her hand firmly. "You're not a weakness, Jerome," he growled, his voice low and fierce. "I won't let anyone in this pack think that."

His intensity took her breath away, but it also made her heart race with fear. Ian's protectiveness was growing stronger, and while it gave her a sense of safety, it also felt like a dangerous line was being crossed. The way he spoke—like he was ready to fight anyone who challenged their bond—worried her.

But before Jerome could respond, there was a knock on the door. Kael, Ian's second-in-command, stepped into the room, his expression serious.

"Ian," Kael said, his voice steady but tense. "The pack is gathering. They want to discuss... recent events."

Jerome glanced at Ian, seeing the flash of frustration in his eyes. He stood, his movements stiff as he adjusted his shirt. "Fine," he muttered. "I'll deal with it."

Kael hesitated, his gaze flicking to Jerome. "They're asking for Jerome too."

Ian's posture stiffened, and Jerome felt her stomach drop. The last thing she wanted was to be dragged into pack politics, especially when she already felt like an outsider. But Ian's gaze met hers, his expression unreadable.

"We'll both go," he said, his voice firm. "They need to understand that Jerome is part of this pack now."

Jerome's heart pounded in her chest as they left the room and made their way down to the main hall. The tension in the air was palpable, and as they entered the space where the pack had gathered, all eyes turned to them. Jerome could feel the weight of their gazes on her, the scrutiny and judgment.

Ian stood tall beside her, his hand resting protectively on her lower back as they approached the center of the room. The pack members whispered amongst themselves, their expressions a mix of uncertainty and wariness. Jerome's throat tightened as she felt the full force of their distrust.

"Ian," one of the elders spoke up, his voice cutting through the murmur of the crowd. "We've come to discuss... your recent decisions."

Jerome felt her pulse quicken. She knew this wasn't just about the fight with Kieran—it was about her. They didn't trust her, and now they were questioning Ian's leadership because of her presence.

Ian's expression was cold and unyielding as he faced the elder. "What decisions are you referring to, Orin?" he asked, his voice hard.

Orin cleared his throat, glancing briefly at Jerome before returning his gaze to Ian. "Your... attachment to the human," he said, his words carefully chosen but laced with disapproval. "It's making the pack nervous. We need to know if you're still fit to lead us."

Jerome's heart skipped a beat, and she felt Ian's hand tense against her back. His eyes darkened, and she could feel the anger radiating from him.

"I'm still your Alpha," Ian growled, his voice low and dangerous. "And Jerome is part of this pack. Anyone who has a problem with that can challenge me."

The room fell into a tense silence. Jerome could feel the weight of Ian's words hanging in the air like a storm cloud, ready to burst. She knew he was serious—if anyone dared to challenge him, he would fight them. And it wouldn't be a fair fight.

Orin shifted uncomfortably but didn't back down. "We just want to ensure the pack's safety, Ian," he said, his tone more cautious now. "The bond you've formed with her—it's not natural."

Jerome's chest tightened at the elder's words, and she glanced at Ian, worried about what he might do next. But before he could respond, Jerome stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "I'm not a threat to the pack," she said, her gaze steady as she addressed the crowd. "I care about this pack just as much as Ian does. I would never put any of you in danger."

Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, the pack seemed to consider them. But the tension remained, thick and suffocating. Jerome could see the doubt in their eyes, the uncertainty that lingered like a shadow over everything.

"Ian is still your Alpha," Jerome continued, her voice strong despite the fear twisting in her gut. "And he's the best leader this pack has. We're stronger together. We can protect each other."

There was a murmur of agreement from some of the wolves, but others remained silent, their eyes still filled with suspicion. Jerome swallowed hard, her heart pounding as she waited for their response.

Finally, Orin nodded, though his expression remained guarded. "We'll trust your judgment for now, Ian," he said quietly. "But remember—this pack comes first."

Ian's jaw clenched, but he gave a short nod in return. "The pack will always come first," he replied, his voice hard.

As the meeting came to an end, the tension in the room didn't completely dissipate. Jerome knew they hadn't fully accepted her, and it would take time before they did. But for now, they had avoided a direct challenge to Ian's leadership.

As they left the hall, Jerome felt Ian's hand slip into hers, his grip tight and reassuring. But deep down, she knew that this was only the beginning. The pack's unease wasn't going away, and sooner or later, they would have to face the consequences of the bond that had formed between them.

To be continued...