The Alpha and The Enforcer [TATE]

Chapter 23

Ellie's P.O.V 

"Enough."

The word wasn't just a shout, it was a command that rumbled from my chest like an earthquake. The authority behind it was unmistaken. They felt it. The wind pick up at the sound of my voice, rustling the dead leaves on the ground from their slumber and into the air. I can see the panic on the guys faces while the girl continued to glare at me, remaining unfazed but I could tell, they felt it. They had no idea what they'd unleashed.

Before the last leaf hit the ground, I was on her.

In a blur of motion, I grabbed the girl by the throat and launched her through the air. Her body slammed into a tree with a crunch that made the bark split. She hit the ground gasping, coughing, stunned.

I didn't give her time to breathe.

The two guys reacted, adrenaline pushing them forward. The redhead was first, roaring as he charged, throwing a wild haymaker toward my face. Sloppy.

I ducked and came up with a sharp elbow to his chin. His head snapped back. Teeth flew.

He stumbled into his friend's path just as the brown-haired one went for a side kick. The blow meant for me sank into the redhead's stomach instead. A dull thud. Air left his lungs in a choking gasp as he crumpled, groaning.

"Seriously?" I spat. "You're a joke."

The brown-haired guy snarled and pivoted, trying to recover. His eyes darted, calculating. He feinted left—so I gave him a free shot.

He lunged, but I twisted behind him in a blink and drove my knee into his ribs. The crunch echoed through the trees. His legs buckled, a scream ripping from his throat.

I didn't stop. I followed up with a spinning backhand that sent him tumbling through the underbrush, snapping small branches as he went.

He groaned, dazed, clutching his ribs.

The redhead was crawling away, coughing blood into the dirt. Pathetic.

Then I heard her.

The girl was up again—bloody, bruised, eyes glowing pale blue. Her lip was split. Blood ran down her temple, but she was smiling like this was just warming up.

"I can see that you're angry," she said, cocky.

I growled—a sound deep and primal. My muscles coiled tight. I lunged again, fist cocked.

She grabbed a rusted metal pipe from the grass and swung it hard. It cut the air with a whistle. I dodged once. Twice. The third time, I caught her wrist and twisted.

She screamed as her fingers went limp, the pipe falling with a clang. With a roar, I flipped her clean over my shoulder, slamming her onto her back. The earth shuddered from the impact.

She groaned and tried to rise—but I was already there.

I buried a punch in her gut, then another to her jaw. She staggered but remained standing, defiant. "Easy, sis,"

She struck back—claws slashing across my shoulder. I hissed and retaliated, landing a right hook that sent her spinning.

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" I roared, kicking her in the stomach.

She hit a rock, bounced off, and landed hard.

Her face twisted in pain as she pushed herself up again. Bruises bloomed across her cheek. Her eyes flashed with rage.

We circled each other.

She rushed me again, claws extended.

I ducked, grabbed her by the waist, and drove her into a tree so hard the bark exploded behind her. She slumped, coughing up blood.