The Alpha and The Enforcer [TATE] (STILL EDITING)

Ellie's P.O.V

You ever get that feeling when you're zoning out, but you just don't care? Like, you know you've got something you should be doing, but in that moment, nothing else matters?

Yeah... that's me right now.

I'm still sitting out here in the dark, cold forest, with only the faintest sliver of moonlight breaking through the canopy above. It's that kind of eerie, silver light that lures you in—makes you wonder what lies just beyond the reach of your eyes. But there's something unsettling about it too. Like the forest is watching. Waiting.

I don't have my phone, but I know it's well past midnight. I've been sitting here for hours, motionless. The cold has worked its way deep into my bones. It's unfamiliar. As a wolf, I should always feel warm, no matter how low the temperature drops. But ever since the rejection... it's like a slow decay has set in. My healing isn't automatic anymore.

I think Lizzy—my wolf—is trying her best. She's still there, somewhere deep inside, doing what she can. But it's like she's slowing down the healing. Stretching out what little strength we have left. At this rate, though... what's the point?

And the worst part? I can barely hear her anymore.

She's slipping, and I should be panicking. I should be angry, screaming at the universe for taking her from me. But instead... I feel numb. Empty. Like I've been hollowed out and left to rot.

How did it come to this?
How did I ignore her pain for so long?

I was so wrapped up in my own grief, I didn't realize she was suffering too. Selfish. That's what I've been. And now, I'm paying for it.

But even in all this—this silence, this stillness—I refuse to lose her. I can't imagine a world without Lizzy. She's been my anchor for three years. My strength. So why now? Why this sudden weakness?

When I finally force myself to stand, it feels like it's already hours too late. My legs are stiff. My joints ache. But I walk anyway, heading back toward the pack house. The familiar ground under my feet should bring comfort, but it doesn't. Not tonight.

And then I see them—warriors. Everywhere. Patrolling, gathering in groups, whispering with tense expressions.

What the hell is going on?

Before I can make sense of it, I spot Uncle Ted at the center of it all, giving orders to a squad of young warriors. He looks tense, jaw tight, eyes scanning the treeline. But the moment he sees me, his face changes—relief flooding his features.

"Uncle Ted!" I call out, jogging toward him.

He exhales like he's been holding his breath for hours and meets me halfway. Without a word, he pulls me into a tight hug.

"Where were you, Ellie? You weren't responding through the mind link. Your cell phone—" He cuts himself off, his voice thick with worry.

"I'm fine. I was just out in the woods," I say, trying to push away from the hug and offer him a reassuring smile. "I needed time to think. That's all."

He doesn't let go. His arms stay around me a moment longer, like he's trying to reassure himself that I'm really here. "You scared the hell out of us. We thought something happened—after the hospital..."

"I didn't mean to worry anyone," I mutter, guilt tightening my throat. "I should've told someone. I'm sorry."

With a sigh, he finally pulls back. "Just let us know next time, okay?"

I nod.

Uncle Ted turns to recall the search teams, and just as I take a step toward the pack house, I hear footsteps pounding across the yard. Before I even see her, Aunt Mariah barrels into me like a freight train, arms wrapping around me so tight I almost choke.