Chapter 56: A Growing Threat

Jerome sat by the fire, her mind racing as she watched the flames flicker in the hearth. Ian had been silent ever since they returned to the house, his jaw clenched and his movements tense. She could feel the weight of his anger, his frustration at her for putting herself in danger. But she couldn't bring herself to regret her decision. How could she stay locked inside while he faced danger alone?

Her arm throbbed where the dark wolf's claws had grazed her, a painful reminder of how close she had come to being seriously hurt. She glanced at Ian, who was standing by the window, his eyes scanning the dark forest outside. His posture was rigid, every muscle in his body tense as if he were ready to fight again at any moment.

"Ian," Jerome said softly, breaking the heavy silence that had settled between them. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

"You didn't mean to what?" Ian's voice was sharp as he turned to face her, his eyes flashing with anger. "You didn't mean to ignore me? Didn't mean to walk straight into danger?"

Jerome flinched at the harshness of his tone, guilt gnawing at her insides. "I couldn't just stay in the house while you were out there fighting. I had to—"

"You had to nothing!" Ian snapped, his eyes narrowing. "I told you to stay inside for a reason, Jerome. Do you have any idea what could have happened if I hadn't gotten there in time?"

Jerome lowered her gaze, her heart sinking. "I didn't think…"

"No, you didn't," Ian interrupted, his voice cold. "You never think. You don't understand the kind of danger you're in. You're not part of this world, Jerome. You don't know what you're dealing with."

Jerome's chest tightened at his words. She had never asked to be a part of his world, had never wanted to be dragged into the violent, dangerous world of alphas and rival wolves. But now, it seemed like there was no escape.

"I'm trying," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm trying to understand, but it's all so overwhelming."

Ian's expression softened slightly as he ran a hand through his hair, the tension in his body easing just a fraction. "I know it's hard, but you need to trust me. When I tell you to stay safe, it's for your own good. The wolves that attacked tonight… they're only the beginning."

Jerome looked up at him, confusion and fear swirling in her chest. "What do you mean?"

Ian sighed, walking over to her and sitting down on the couch beside her. He took her hand in his, his grip firm but gentle. "There are others—other alphas who want to challenge me for you. They know what you mean to me, and they see it as a weakness. They'll keep coming, Jerome, until they either take you from me or I defeat them all."

Jerome's heart pounded at his words. The idea that she was at the center of this conflict, that other wolves were willing to fight Ian to claim her, filled her with dread. "Why? Why would they want to take me?"

Ian's eyes darkened. "Because you're mine. You carry my scent, my mark. To them, you're a prize, something they can use to weaken me. If they take you, they think they'll break me."

Jerome shuddered at the thought. "I don't want to be a prize, Ian. I'm not something to be fought over."

"You're not," Ian said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "But in this world, that's how they see it. They don't care about anything but power and dominance. And as long as you're with me, they'll see you as something they can take."

Jerome swallowed hard, her fear growing with every word. "What are we supposed to do, then? How do we stop them?"

Ian's jaw tightened again, his expression hardening. "I'll stop them. I'll kill anyone who tries to take you from me."

There was a chilling finality in his voice, a dark promise that sent a shiver down Jerome's spine. She knew Ian was strong, that he would fight to protect her no matter the cost. But the idea of him being forced to constantly fight, to live in a world of violence and bloodshed because of her, weighed heavily on her heart.

"I don't want you to have to fight for me, Ian," she said softly, her voice laced with emotion. "I don't want this to be our life."

Ian's gaze softened as he leaned closer, cupping her face in his hands. "I would fight for you a thousand times over, Jerome. You're mine, and I will protect you no matter what. But this is our reality now. We can't escape it."

Jerome's throat tightened with emotion as she stared into Ian's eyes. She could see the intensity of his feelings for her, the possessiveness and the love that drove him to such extremes. But it also scared her. What kind of life could they have if it was constantly filled with danger and violence?

"I just want us to be safe," she whispered, her voice breaking.

Ian pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment before he pulled back. "We will be. I'll make sure of it."

Jerome nodded, but deep down, she knew that safety in Ian's world was never guaranteed. The wolves were coming for them, and no matter how strong Ian was, the fight wasn't over yet.

To be continued...