The Alpha and The Enforcer [TATE]

Chapter 51

Ellie's P.O.V

Still wrapped in each other's arms, the world around us gradually returned. The bond was no longer a whisper. It was a symphony, thundering through every part of me, raw and wild and impossible to ignore.

Jacob finally pulled back just enough to scan my face, like he still couldn't believe I was really here. His thumb brushed across my cheek, warm and careful. I smiled at him, truly smiled, and for the first time in a long time, it reached my eyes.

We stayed like that for a while. Just being. Just breathing. Letting the mate bond sink into our bones.

Then the stillness broke.

"Ellie!" Miranda's voice pierced through the air like a crack of lightning. I jumped at the interruption, forgetting about the outside world and the people who surrounded us.

Miranda and Lisa knelt beside me with smiles on their faces. Jake and a handful of warriors approached at an alarming speed. The look on their faces was a mix of panic, awe, and sheer relief.

Miranda moved closer beside me, one hand reaching out like she wanted to touch my face, but she hesitated.

"You're awake," she said, eyes scanning me. "Thank the Goddess."

We all looked at her.

Even Lisa paused.

Miranda caught the stares, and her hand immediately retracted like she'd been burned.

"I mean... You survived," she added, folding her arms. " Took you long enough."

Then she rose quickly and made space for Lisa to move in. I smiled knowingly. She cared. She just didn't know how to say it.

I stood up, using Jacob's hand as support.

Lisa's brow furrowed. "Wait... how are you even standing up right now? You were bleeding."

I looked down at myself instinctively. No pain. No aches. No blood. I moved my legs, my arms, flexed my fingers, and touched the area I was injured.

"I feel... fine," I said, surprised even at the words coming out of my mouth. "No pain. No fatigue. Nothing."

Jake stepped closer, brows drawn tight in disbelief. "How's that possible? A few warriors told me you were losing a lot of blood."

"We managed to stop the bleeding," Lisa explained. "But the poison wasn't responding to magic. We had to lower her core temperature, slow everything down until she could burn it out herself."

"It was uncomfortable," I muttered, leaning back into Jacob, who gladly wrapped his arms around me again. I smiled up at him. He returned it without hesitation.

But Jake still looked lost.

"I'll explain it later, babe," Lisa told him casually with a smile.

That caught me off guard.

"Wait... babe? Did I miss something?" I asked, blinking at her.

Lisa looked sheepish. "Oh, right. I forgot you didn't know."

I stared between them as she smiled and casually dropped the bomb. "Jake is my mate."

I gawked at her, then him, then back to her. "What? Since when did you find out?!"

"I'll explain later," she said again, clearly enjoying the upper hand.

Before I could press her, Jacob shifted beside me and took command, his voice low but firm. "Everyone, start heading back to the pack house. Help the wounded to the hospital and clear this area. Meet at the east training ground once you're done."