Ethan

Having Adeline back in my life was nothing short of a miracle. Over the past month, she had brought the sunlight back into my world, and I wasn't about to let it fade again. We'd gone from texting and phone calls to seeing each other almost every night. When she worked late at the inn, I'd wait for her to lock up and make sure she got home safely. Something about knowing she was secure calmed the beast inside me, especially as the tension in town grew with the killer still on the loose.

Three murders and we were no closer to answers. No leads, no solid evidence—just whispers about a man in black riding a white horse with no head. The rumors were unsettling, especially with the Fall Festival a few weeks away. The legend of the Headless Horseman had resurfaced, and the town was buzzing with superstitions. As one of the founding families, my bloodline took the myth with a grain of salt, but for Adeline's family, it was different. People had whispered for years that her family was cursed, some even blaming them for her father's death.

Despite that, Addy faced it all with a smile, usually wearing some fall-themed outfit that made her stand out even more. She was stronger than she let on, and the more time I spent with her, the more my feelings grew. The shy, quirky girl from high school had become a confident, stubborn woman who gave her heart to everyone who needed it. And every day it got harder to keep my feelings in check.

As I packed up my things for the night, I sent Addy a quick text: "Be home soon." I wasn't sure when I'd started thinking of her place as "home," but her inn had become a refuge for me. It felt more like home than the house I grew up in. Even Beast loved it there, spoiled by the attention and affection she showered on him.

I rubbed the bridge of my nose, memories creeping in like they always did. The guilt I carried from the war was still there, though spending time with Addy made it more bearable. She brought peace to the chaos in my mind. I was supposed to be seeing a therapist, but I'd avoided it for months. I didn't want to talk about what happened, didn't want to admit that I had failed my troops. Everyone told me I was lucky to be alive, but I didn't feel lucky. I only felt lucky to have Addy back in my life.

The line between friendship and something more was getting blurrier every day. I was fighting to keep it clear, but every time I saw her smile or heard her laugh, I wanted to forget the line altogether. I couldn't risk hurting her again, though. I'd already messed up once, and I couldn't lose her. Not again.

But then again, the possessive side of me—the beast inside—wanted to claim her, make sure everyone in town knew she was mine. I'd been good about keeping that part of me locked away, but Addy made it harder and harder. Every time I heard someone mention her, I had to bite back the urge to tell them she was off the market.

My thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Before I could answer, Katherine Van Bruse walked in, carrying a tray of something. She was dressed like she'd walked straight out of a Pinterest board—ripped black jeans, heels, and a trendy jacket. It didn't surprise me. Katherine had always been like that, ever since high school.

"Sheiff! Oh good, you're still here. Your front desk guy said you might've left," she said, smiling as she set down a plate of fall-themed cookies.

I tensed. Her voice, her presence—it all reminded me of the high school days I'd long forgotten. Katherine had been the head cheerleader, prom queen, and beloved by everyone. But underneath all that charm was a personality that didn't match.

"Ms. Van Bruse, what can I do for you this evening?" I asked, keeping my voice formal.

"Oh, Ethan," she purred, leaning across my desk. "You don't have to be so formal with me. I mean, it's been a while since high school, but I'm sure you still have good memories, right?"

Her voice dropped, trying to sound seductive, but all I felt was discomfort. I shifted in my seat, trying to put some distance between us. "Katherine, high school was a long time ago. I haven't thought about it in years. Now, if you don't mind, I was just about to head home."

Katherine ignored me and moved around the desk, coming closer. "Ethan, you don't have to play coy. Everyone in town thinks we're getting back together." She stepped right up to me, and before I could react, she slammed her body into mine and pressed her lips against me.

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Adeline

"It's weird, Beast. He hasn't picked up my calls or answered my texts," I muttered, glancing at my phone. I parked the car in front of the station and reached over to pet Beast's head. "Come on, let's go see if your dad got sidetracked with work again."

I climbed out of the car and headed inside with Beast by my side. It was almost 8 p.m., and I hadn't heard from Ethan since he texted me around 6:30 saying he was on his way. Something felt off. Normally, he was punctual, especially when it came to me.

As Beast sniffed the air, he suddenly tensed, a low growl rumbling in his chest. I stopped in my tracks, a shiver running down my spine. The night air felt strange like something was watching us. I glanced around the dimly lit streets but didn't see anything. "Come on, Beast," I whispered, leading him inside the station.

At the front desk, Willy greeted me with a tired smile. "Hey, Adeline. What brings you here? Thought the sheriff had already left."

I frowned, glancing toward Ethan's office. "He said he was on his way home, but I haven't heard from him. Is he still here?"

Willy looked surprised. "Yeah, his office light's still on. You can head back there. Just let him know I'm heading out for the night and to lock up."

I nodded, my heart pounding as I walked toward Ethan's office. Beast trotted ahead of me, his tail wagging. I expected to find Ethan buried in paperwork, but when I opened the door, what I saw stopped me in my tracks.

Katherine Van Bruse was pressed against Ethan, her lips locked with his. I froze, my hand still on the doorknob as I stared at the scene. My chest tightened painfully, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. Beast jumped up on Ethan's leg, his bark startling them both. Ethan pulled away from Katherine, his eyes wide with shock when he saw me.

"Addy, wait—" he started, but I didn't give him a chance to finish.

"Sorry to interrupt," I said, my voice cold and clipped, as I turned on my heel and slammed the door behind me.

My mind was racing, and my heart was breaking. I knew I didn't have the right to feel this way—we weren't a couple. But seeing him kissing Katherine, of all people, cut deep. I hurried to my car, my vision blurring with tears as I fumbled with the keys. Ethan's text suddenly made sense. He hadn't been ignoring me—he'd been busy with her.

I threw myself into the car, but before I could start the engine, Ethan appeared, slamming his hand on the hood. His face was a mixture of anger and desperation as he shouted my name. "Adeline! Adeline, wait!"

I wiped my tears, my hands shaking as I started the car. The tears kept coming, but I didn't care. I put the car in reverse, ignoring his voice and the slamming on my hood, and sped off into the night.

I didn't know where I was going, but I knew I couldn't stay here. I needed space to think, to clear my head. I drove for what felt like forever, the tears drying on my cheeks as I kept going, the image of Ethan and Katherine burned into my mind. Eventually, I realized where I was. I'd driven myself to the old cabin deep in the Hollowbrook forest—a place I hadn't been since I was a kid.

The cabin had belonged to my father. He used to bring me here for camping trips. It was remote, no electricity, no cell service, just peace and quiet. I figured this was as good a place as any to hide out for the night. Ethan wouldn't think to look for me here.

I found the spare key above the doorframe and unlocked the cabin. It was pitch black inside, but I fumbled for the matches near the kitchen table and lit an oil lamp. The place was cold, and I hadn't brought anything more than the clothes I was wearing—a long-sleeve shirt and leggings. Not ideal for a freezing cabin.

I decided to start a fire, grabbing some logs from the pile in the corner. It had been years since I'd been here, but the logs seemed fine. Once the fire was crackling in the hearth, I wrapped myself in a blanket from the couch and huddled in front of the flames, trying to warm up.

My phone had blown up with missed calls and messages from Ethan, but I ignored them. I wasn't ready to face him or what had happened. I hugged my knees to my chest, letting the tears fall again. I wasn't just crying because of what I'd seen—I was crying because it felt like history repeating itself. I'd let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, Ethan wanted me. That we could fix what had broken all those years ago. But now I knew better.

I didn't know how long I sat there, staring into the fire, my thoughts spiraling. The warmth of the flames was the only thing keeping me from breaking completely. I must've dozed off because the next thing I heard was the sound of a horse neighing outside.

I snapped awake, my body tense. Who would be out here? There was no civilization for miles, and the town was at least an hour away. I held my breath, listening. There it was again—the distinct sound of hooves approaching the cabin.

Heart pounding, I reached for my phone and dialed the only number I could trust. As the footsteps neared the door, I whispered into the phone, "Ethan..."

His voice came through the line, panicked. "Addy! Where are you? I've been calling—"

"Someone's here," I whispered, pressing myself against the wall as the footsteps grew louder. I heard a low growl from Ethan on the other end as he demanded to know where I was. Before I could answer, the front window shattered, and a hand reached in.

All I could do was scream.