The Alpha and The Enforcer [TATE]

Chapter 35

Ellie's P.O.V

I stood on the porch longer than I needed to. My fist hovered in the air before I finally knocked on the door. The familiar creak of the porch, the way the wooden slats shifted slightly beneath my weight, it all reminded me of simpler times, when things made sense, when love wasn't tangled up in lies and pain. The wind brushed my cheeks and carried the scent of home, pine needles, fresh earth, and a trace of cinnamon from Aunt Mariah's ever-present baking.

After a few minutes, the door opened. Aunt Mariah stood there, her apron still tied around her waist, the edges smudged with flour and sauce. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her skin looked strained from too many tears. Her lips parted like she wanted to say something, but no words came. For a moment, I thought she might shut the door again. Then her expression softened.

"I'm sorry," I said, and the moment the words left my mouth, she surged forward and pulled me into a hug. Her arms wrapped tightly around me, like she was afraid I'd vanish again if she let go.

"I didn't mean what I said. I never wanted to hurt you, I swear," I murmured into her shoulder, guilt clenching my chest like a vice. Her scent was familiar, warm vanilla, nutmeg, and the comfort of childhood memories.

"It's okay, it's okay, honey," she whispered, her voice trembling. "We knew you'd be upset. I'm sorry we didn't tell you sooner."

She didn't let go right away. Her grip lingered, and I let her hold me because I needed it too. When she finally stepped back, her hands settled on my arms. "Come in, baby. Are you hungry?"

The scent hit me before I even stepped fully inside. Spices, roasted meat, something baked and sweet lingering in the air. It smelled like warmth and safety.

"What are you cooking?" I asked, not because I needed to know, but because the silence between us was too loaded.

"Whatever came to mind. It doesn't matter when I'm like this," she said with a weak smile. "Just... needed to do something with my hands."

"I wanted to talk to Uncle Ted first," I said. She nodded, already knowing.

"He's upstairs in our room."

I thanked her and made my way up the stairs. The house was unchanged. Same pictures on the walls. Same creak on the third step. I paused briefly in front of my old bedroom, wondering what it was now. Maybe a storage room. Maybe still untouched. I remembered the time I'd painted the walls a vibrant lavender without asking. Uncle Ted hadn't been mad; he'd helped me tape the edges.

I didn't knock when I got to their room. I pushed the door open and found Uncle Ted standing on the balcony, arms resting on the railing. His back was to me. He didn't move when I stepped in.

I walked over slowly and leaned beside him, mimicking his posture. It wasn't until I was close that he turned his head. He looked surprised to see me there.

"Ellie," he said, soft and stunned.

"I'm sorry for the way I acted," I said quietly. "It was easier to be angry than to understand. I know you had your reasons. You couldn't leave the border without the Alpha's consent. Even for a baby."

I said the last part in a whisper, but I knew he heard.

"What I'm trying to say is that I'm sorry, Uncle Ted. I was never really angry with you about leaving her. I know you, you would never leave someone behind unless you absolutely had to."

He didn't speak right away. Then he said, "I went to look for her."

I turned toward him sharply. "What?"

He nodded slowly. "The next day. I couldn't shake the feeling. I wasn't sure it was a basket, or if I seen anything at all, but I knew something was there, someone. Someone I left behind."