The Alpha and The Enforcer [TATE]

Chapter 3

Ellie's P.O.V

I woke up in the same sterile room where Jacob had patched me up hours ago. The lingering scent of antiseptic clung to the air, but my wound was treated, and I'd had enough rest. Time to leave.

I didn't wait for Jake to give me the all-clear; I never do. Hospitals remind me of what I've lost: my strength. Ever since the rejection, my wolf has been slipping away, fading with every passing day. I hate these places. They reek of fragility.

Pulling the thin sheet off my legs, I swung them over the edge of the bed, grabbed my shoes, and moved for the door. As soon as I tugged it open, a piercing alarm echoed through the room. I froze, resting my forehead against the glass door, frustration boiling beneath my skin.

"Well played, Jake," I muttered, knowing full well he could hear me.

With a resigned sigh, I slumped back onto the bed, already picturing the smug grin plastered across his face.

Jake's P.O.V

The second the alarm from Ellie's room blared, I chuckled. She'd taken the bait, just as I knew she would.

"She's awake," I said, leaning back against the reception desk and sipping my coffee.

Alpha Jacob, standing stiffly beside me, shot me a curious glance. "Awake? That was the alarm from Room 304. Shouldn't you check on it?"

I waved him off. "Relax, Alpha. The hospital is well aware that this alarm is set in place for Ellie. She hates hospitals almost as much as she hates taking orders from me."

His brow furrowed slightly. "So, you set an alarm in her room?"

"I had to," I said with a smirk. "She's predictable, and I wasn't about to chase her down in the middle of the night again."

Alpha Jacob said nothing, but the sharp glint in his eyes didn't miss a thing. He'd only been back a few hours, but I could already tell he was taking everything in, watching, observing, learning his pack all over again.

"She's a warrior," he said finally. "I imagine she doesn't like being sidelined."

I shrugged as I whispered. "Maybe. Or maybe she's just stubborn as hell."

Alpha Jacob didn't respond. Instead, he followed me down the hall to Ellie's room, curious to see how this would play out.

Ellie's P.O.V

The door swung open, and Jake sauntered in first, his grin wide enough to punch. Behind him was Alpha Jacob, his presence a quiet storm that instantly made the small room feel even smaller.

"Well, look who decided to stay put," Jake teased, crossing his arms. "Didn't think you'd trigger the alarm that fast, Ellie."

"Your alarm system is obnoxious," I said, my tone cold as steel. "And so are you."

Jake laughed, the sound warm and familiar. "Obnoxious, maybe. Effective, definitely. You're not sneaking out on my watch again."

I stood up, trying to ignore the way his silence filled the room, and gave Jake a pointed look. "You really think this would hold me?"

Jake chuckled. "No, and you can try to escape, but the alarm's not for you to outsmart. It's for us to know when you leave."

"Always the big brother," I muttered, crossing my arms.

"I'm just looking out for you," he replied with a shrug before he got serious. "Ellie, you're not fully healed. It's better to stay and rest until you're stronger."

I narrowed my eyes at him, but Alpha Jacob's quiet presence pulled my attention. He stood near the doorway, silent but watchful, his gaze steady on me. The way he looked at me made my skin prickly, as he could see past the sarcasm and sharp edges I used to keep people at arm's length.