Chapter 82: The Alpha's Fury

The tension between Ian and Aiden crackled like lightning in the air. Jerome could feel the raw power emanating from both alphas, their growls reverberating in her chest. She stood frozen between them, her body trembling, torn between fear and the magnetic pull of Ian's protective presence.

Ian took a step forward, positioning himself in front of Jerome like a shield. His muscles were tense, every inch of him ready to spring into action. His golden eyes glowed with rage, fixed on Aiden, who leaned casually against the doorframe, exuding a dangerous calm.

"You've made a mistake coming here, Aiden," Ian snarled, his voice a deadly warning. "You won't touch her."

Aiden's lips curled into a taunting smirk, his eyes glinting with malice as he met Ian's gaze. "You think you can keep her from me forever, Ian? She's not a possession you can hide away. You can't protect her from what's coming."

Jerome's heart pounded in her chest, her gaze flickering between the two men. She could feel the tension building, like a storm ready to break. Every instinct screamed at her to run, but she knew that if she moved, the confrontation would explode into violence.

Ian's voice was low, dangerous. "Leave, Aiden. Now. Before I tear you apart."

Aiden's expression hardened, the playful gleam in his eyes disappearing. He straightened up, his posture becoming more predatory, his alpha presence filling the room. "You've already lost, Ian. You just don't see it yet."

Before Ian could respond, Aiden's gaze shifted to Jerome, his dark eyes locking onto her with a possessive intensity that sent a chill down her spine. "Tell me, Jerome," he purred, his voice soft but filled with danger, "do you really think you're safe with him?"

Jerome felt her breath catch in her throat as Aiden's question hung in the air. The doubt he planted wormed its way into her mind, but she quickly pushed it aside. She knew Ian's flaws—his possessiveness, his obsession—but she also knew he would never let anyone hurt her. Not even Aiden.

Ian's growl filled the room, cutting through the suffocating tension. "Get out!"

The command was laced with alpha power, and for a moment, Jerome could feel Aiden flinch under the weight of it. But Aiden quickly recovered, his smirk returning as he straightened his jacket casually, as though Ian's fury was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

"Very well," Aiden said smoothly, his gaze never leaving Jerome. "But remember, sweetheart, this isn't over." His smile widened, a dark promise lingering in the air as he turned to leave. "I always get what I want."

As soon as Aiden was out of sight, Ian's body relaxed slightly, though the tension still radiated from him. Jerome let out a shaky breath, her legs threatening to give way beneath her. Ian turned to her, his eyes filled with worry and rage, his voice softening.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his hand reaching out to touch her, but hesitating at the last moment, as if unsure whether she wanted his comfort or not.

Jerome nodded, though her mind was racing, trying to make sense of everything that had just happened. "I'm fine," she whispered, though she wasn't sure if she believed her own words.

Ian stepped closer, his intense gaze locked on her. "He'll never get to you, Jerome. I swear it."

Jerome looked up at him, seeing the determination in his eyes, but also the possessiveness that had driven so much of his behavior. "I don't want you to protect me by hurting others, Ian," she said quietly. "I need to feel like I have a choice. Not like I'm trapped."

Ian's expression faltered, guilt flashing across his face. "I'm trying, Jerome. I'm trying to be better. But I can't—" His voice broke off, and he took a deep breath before continuing. "I can't lose you."

Jerome's heart softened at the raw vulnerability in his words. For all his flaws, for all the darkness that clouded their relationship, she could see the fear behind his possessiveness. The fear of losing her.

"I'm not leaving, Ian," she said softly, stepping closer to him. "But you have to let me breathe. Let me live."

Ian's gaze softened, and he reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "I'll try. I promise I'll try."

Jerome squeezed his hand, hoping that his words would hold true. But deep down, she knew that Aiden's threat still loomed over them, and Ian's possessiveness wasn't something that would disappear overnight.

As they stood together in the flickering light of the fire, Jerome felt a heavy sense of foreboding settle in her chest. Aiden wasn't going to give up, and Ian's obsession could push them both over the edge.

The battle between the two alphas was far from over. And Jerome was caught in the middle.

To be continued...