Ethan’s POV
I woke up to an empty bed. The space beside me was cold already, like Ellie had been gone for a while. My chest tightened instantly. She never left without telling me.
I sat up fast, running a hand through my messy hair, my heart already pounding. The room felt too quiet, too still. I checked every corner of the hut first, hoping she was just sitting somewhere, but she wasn’t there. Then I stepped outside, into the clearing, whispering her name like maybe she would answer if I kept calling.
“Ellie…”
Nothing. Only the rustle of trees and the sound of birds far away. My thoughts went dark immediately. What if something happened? What if Fiona had taken her? What if I lost her before I could even protect her?
My beast clawed inside me, restless and worried.
Just then, the do
