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

Chapter 4

"Oh my God, Ellie! Where were you? What happened? Did you eat anything? You look like hell," she rambles, crushing me in a hug that borders on painful.

"Can't... breathe," I gasp, and Uncle Ted chuckles nearby.

"Mariah, let her breathe," he says gently.

She finally loosens her grip, just enough for me to suck in a full breath. "I just needed air. Took a run, cleared my head. Lost track of time," I explain, voice soft.

She squeezes me once more before we turn toward the pack house together. Uncle Ted lingers behind, giving final instructions to the warriors.

Inside, the warmth of the house hits me like a wave—but it doesn't reach the cold sitting in my chest. I dip my head as I see the Alpha family gathered in the living room.

"Alpha Brian. Luna Audrey. Jacob," I greet, voice steady but cool.

"Ellie, are you okay?" Luna Audrey steps forward, worry etched across her face. She opens her arms, and I don't resist. Despite the tension, I've always been close to her. She was like a second mother growing up.

But Jacob...

We've never gotten along. Not since we were kids. I still remember the first time we met—me declaring I'd be Enforcer one day, him laughing like it was a joke. Said he'd demote me to omega if he ever became Alpha. After that, we avoided each other like the plague.

I won't let old scars reopen tonight. I can't afford it.

"You should eat something. Get some rest. You all should," Alpha Brian says, cutting through the awkwardness.

I nod, barely meeting his eyes. "Thank you, Alpha. I will."

Then I head upstairs, each step feeling heavier than the last.

Aunt Mariah had already made her way to the kitchen, and I waved her off.

"I'm going to shower first. I haven't changed since the fight," I said, keeping my tone casual.

"Of course," she replied with a nod. "I'll have something ready for you when you're done."

Just as she turned to leave, I stopped her.
"When did you get back?"

She paused, then offered a soft smile. "When Ted was discharged from the hospital."

I nodded, still catching my breath from the whirlwind of emotions. She disappeared into the kitchen, and I was left alone.

I let out a heavy sigh and took in the sight of my old room. It had been a while since I stepped foot in here. Nothing had changed—same worn comforter, same stack of old books by the window—but I had. And no matter how familiar it looked, nothing would ever be the same.

Twenty minutes later, I stepped out of the shower, towel wrapped around my body, another twisted around my damp hair. Just as I reached for the bathroom door, a scent stopped me.

Pinecones and firewood.

Strange combination—but warm, earthy, unmistakable. Jacob had been in my room.

His scent lingered in the air like smoke, meaning he'd only just left. My eyes fell to the tray of food now resting on my bed. Spaghetti and meatballs. He'd brought it up for me.

I changed quickly—sweat shorts and a tank top—and went back into the bathroom to change the bandage on my neck. Once done, I sat on the bed, tray in my lap, staring at the food. I picked up a meatball and took a bite, chewing slowly. I sighed and glanced toward the door.

I wasn't hungry. Aunt Mariah had probably insisted he bring me something. I didn't want to worry her, but forcing it down just made my stomach turn. After a few more bites, I gave up.

The house was quiet—most of the pack asleep—so I slipped downstairs, tray in hand. The soft hum of the refrigerator was the only sound as I scraped the food into the trash and started washing the dishes. My thoughts drifted, numb and tangled, until I heard it.

Footsteps.

Deliberate. Too quiet to belong to someone wandering aimlessly.

I dried my hands, grabbed a knife, and stepped into the shadows where the dining room met the kitchen. My senses sharpened, tracking the movement. A tall silhouette crept closer, moonlight sketching faint lines across the hardwood.

He was in range.

I moved fast—too fast for a normal person to react—and pressed the blade to his throat.

"Wow," said a familiar voice, calm, amused. "That's one way to say hello."

Jacob.

I exhaled sharply, lowering the blade. "You're lucky I recognized your scent."

He leaned against the wall as I turned the kitchen light on. His posture was easy, casual—but his eyes held that quiet intensity that always made me uneasy.

"Wouldn't want to be on your bad side," he said, his tone teasing.

"What are you doing sneaking around?" I asked, drying the sink with a towel.

"Couldn't sleep," he replied, then added, "What about you? Throwing away food you didn't eat?"

I stiffened. "How did you—?"

"I can smell it," he said simply.

I looked away. "I wasn't hungry."

He studied me for a moment. "You seem like someone who's good at hiding things. Making people see only what you want them to see."

The knot in my chest tightened. "You come down here just to lecture me?"

"No." His voice softened. "I came to ask for help."

I blinked. "Help?"

He nodded. "It's been three years since I trained properly. If the pack sees me struggling, they'll think I'm weak."

"And they'll challenge you," I finished, understanding immediately.

"Exactly. That's why I need you." His voice was steady, earnest. "You're the best warrior in the pack, Ellie. If anyone can get me back into form, it's you."

I hesitated. "Training an Alpha isn't the same as training a warrior. You're ranked above me. This has to stay... discreet."

"It will," he said. "I trust you."

His words made me uneasy for reasons I couldn't explain. I crossed my arms. "It's not that simple."

"Why not? You've trained others outside the pack."

"Yeah. But never someone above me. Never someone like you."

He grinned. "Someone like me?"

"You know what I mean," I muttered, turning away. "This could get complicated. You're the Alpha. During training, that dynamic won't exist. I'll be in charge. And that's not in your nature—to take orders. This could go sideways fast."

He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "I can handle it. I need your help, Ellie. Please."

The way he said my name sent a chill through me, and I hated that it made me feel... exposed.

I paused. Warred with myself. Then finally said, "Fine. But don't make me regret it."

"I won't." His smile spread slowly, those dimples flashing.

"I mean it," I said firmly, grabbing a water bottle from the fridge. "Don't expect me to go easy on you just because you've got Alpha blood. No special treatment."

"Wouldn't dream of it," he said, voice low and steady.

Something in his tone lingered long after he left the kitchen.

When I climbed back into bed, the memory of his blue eyes stayed with me. They were like the ocean just before a storm—restless, dangerous, beautiful.

This might be a mistake.

But something deep inside whispered it was already too late. 

*
Please leave a comment and a vote if you like my story so far
Stay tuned for my next chapter

Izzy