Loving Him With Pain

Rogue

Jerome lounged in his private quarters, his shirt half undone, the musky scent of wine and lust clinging to the air.

The dim lighting illuminated his sharp jawline and the predatory glint in his eyes as he leaned back in the plush leather chair, a smirking omega perched comfortably on his lap.

Her soft giggles filled the room, her hands tracing over his toned chest as he murmured something that made her laugh harder.

The world outside his walls seemed distant, unimportant.

For Jerome, this moment was just another distraction from the responsibilities that clawed at him daily.

He wasn’t the kind of alpha who basked in the weight of leadership. Instead, he preferred the fleeting pleasures of the flesh, letting others assume he didn’t care.

But beneath the surface, something darker churned—a ruthlessness that emerged only when provoked.

The door burst open without warning, slamming against the wall with a force that made the omega on his lap yelp.

Jerome’s eyes flicked up lazily, his brow quirking as Marcus stormed in, his expression thunderous.

"Jerome," Marcus growled, his voice laced with urgency, "get your ass up. There's been an attack."

Jerome didn’t move, his hand still resting on the omega’s waist. “An attack?” he drawled, his tone bordering on bored.

“You barged in here for that can't you handle it Jerome said with a scoff?”

Marcus’s hands clenched into fists. “This isn’t a joke. Rogues breached the perimeter, and they’ve taken someone. Katie.”

Jerome’s smirk faltered, his eyes narrowing. “Katie?” he repeated, his tone shifting slightly.

“She was out gathering herbs when they got to her,” Marcus continued, his voice taut.

“They’ve taken her into the woods. The rogues wants to meet with you—he’s making demands.”

The room’s temperature seemed to drop as Jerome stood, the playful glint in his eyes replaced by something cold and dangerous.

The omega scrambled off his lap, sensing the shift in his demeanor.

“And you waited this long to tell me?”Jerome’s voice was low, each word laced with quiet menace.

Marcus met his gaze, unflinching. “I came as soon as I found out.”

Without another word, Jerome grabbed his shirt, slipping it on with a practiced ease.

The air around him grew heavier, and for the first time that night, the weight of his authority became palpable.

.....,.......................................................

Katie’s heart pounded in her chest, her breaths shallow as the rogue’s grip tightened around her arm.

He dragged her through the dense forest, the shadows swallowing them whole.

His knife pressed against her neck, the cold steel biting into her skin every time she tried to struggle.

She had been foolish to go into the woods alone, even for something as mundane as gathering herbs.

But she had no choice; the kitchen had run out, and Madam Ellen’s harsh words still rang in her ears.

Now, she was paying the price for her carelessness.

“Keep moving,” the rogue growled, yanking her forward when she stumbled.

Katie bit back a sob, her mind racing. She had heard the stories about rogues—how they thrived on chaos, targeting packs for resources and revenge.

But she had never thought she’d be caught in the middle of one of their attacks.

“Please,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “You don’t have to do this.”

The rogue laughed, a cold, humorless sound. “Do you think begging will save you? Your alpha has a debt to pay, and you’re the perfect leverage.”

Tears pricked her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

The rogue dragged her into a small clearing, shoving her to her knees.

His knife remained steady against her throat as he threw back his head and howled—a chilling sound that echoed through the forest, a summons meant to reach Jerome.

Katie’s heart sank. She knew Jerome was ruthless, but she also knew he wouldn’t risk the pack’s safety for a mere sinner like her.

Meanwhile Jerome strode through the woods, his footsteps silent despite his haste.

Marcus trailed behind him, his concern etched onto his face.

“This could be a trap,” Marcus said, his voice low.

Jerome didn’t respond. His focus was unyielding, his mind calculating every possible outcome. Traps didn’t scare him. Weakness did.

And showing hesitation now, when his pack’s safety was on the line, would be the ultimate display of weakness.

They reached the clearing, and Jerome stepped into the open without hesitation.

His gaze immediately landed on Katie, her small frame trembling as the rogue held her captive.

The sight sent a flicker of something unrecognizable through him, but he pushed it aside.

The rogue grinned, his eyes gleaming with malice. “So, the mighty Alpha Jerome finally shows himself.”

Jerome’s expression didn’t change, his icy blue eyes locking onto the rogue. “You’ve made a mistake.”

The rogue’s grip on Katie tightened, and she winced as the knife dug into her skin. “Bold words for an alpha whose member is at my mercy,” he sneered.

Jerome took a step closer, his movements slow and deliberate. “State your demands,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion.

“I want half of your pack’s resources,” the rogue declared. “Food, weapons, everything. Hand it over, or she dies.”

Katie’s eyes widened, her breath hitching. She looked at Jerome, searching for any sign of reassurance, but his face remained a mask of indifference.

The rogue laughed, mistaking Jerome’s silence for hesitation. “You can’t afford to lose her, can you? I’ll make it simple. Agree to my terms, or—”

The rest of his sentence never came.

In the blink of an eye, Jerome was behind him, his movements too fast for Katie to follow. The rogue’s body went rigid as Jerome’s hand clamped down on his neck.

Katie barely had time to gasp before a sickening crack echoed through the clearing. The rogue’s lifeless body crumpled to the ground, his grip on her releasing instantly.

Jerome stood over the corpse, his expression as cold as ever. He wiped his hands on his shirt, as if the act of killing was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

Katie stared up at him, her heart racing. “You… you killed him,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Jerome turned to her, his gaze softening for a fleeting moment. “He was a threat. To my pack. To you.”

Katie swallowed hard, her throat tight. She wanted to thank him, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she looked away, her hands trembling.

Jerome crouched in front of her, his voice low and surprisingly gentle. “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head, though her neck still stung where the knife had pressed against her skin. “No. Just… scared.”

His eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary before he stood, offering her his hand.

“Come on. Let’s get you back.”

Katie hesitated before placing her hand in his. His grip was firm, grounding her as they walked through the forest.

Despite everything, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Jerome than the cold, ruthless alpha everyone feared.

And she wondered if that side of him would ever be meant for her.