Chapter 29
Zane's POV
By the time we got back to the stable, the rain had become even heavier.
Servants rushed around under umbrellas while the horses were led back into their stalls.
Jasmine was already there, a towel wrapped around her shoulders.
I climbed down from the horse carefully before helping Melissa down.
She winced the moment her injured foot touched the ground.
"Easy," I muttered.
A servant quickly rushed over to support her.
My mum hurried toward me immediately.
"Are you alright, my love?" she asked worriedly, touching my face.
"I'm fine," I said distractedly, looking around instead.
The servants carefully led Melissa away.
"Careful with her ankle," I called after them.
Then I turned back.
"Where are the others?"
Grace walked toward me quickly, panic clear on her face.
"Is Nathan with you?" she asked immediately.
I frowned.
"No. Isn't he back yet?"
Her expression changed instantly.
My stomach tightened.
"His horse came back alone," my mom answered quietly. "Kieran went looking for him."
"What?"
Before anyone could reply, thunder rumbled loudly overhead again.
Dad walked over beside Uncle Chris while officers and stable workers moved anxiously around the area.
One of the servants quickly draped a towel over my shoulders.
"You're freezing," Mum said softly. "Come inside first."
"No," I said immediately, scanning the stable again.
Jasmine stepped closer.
"The search officers already went after them," she said. "They'll find them."
"How long ago did Kieran leave?" I asked.
Jasmine hesitated.
"…Almost two hours."
Two hours.
My heart drop.
Fuck.
"I gat to go find them,"
My sister held my arm.
"Don't Zane, they'll be found. Let the search officer so their job."
I ran a hand through my wet hair.
"You can't expect me to sit here while Nathan and Kieran are missing."
"Zane—" Mum started.
"Your sister is right," Dad added calmly. "The officers know what they're doing."
I looked over at Uncle Chris.
He stood beside one of the officers, his expression unreadable while Grace looked completely shaken beside him.
I exhaled sharply.
"Fine," I muttered.
Mum pulled me toward the lodge while servants hurried around us carrying towels and medical kits.
The large hall inside the stable lodge was crowded with worried voices.
A fire crackled nearby while staff moved in and out constantly.
Mum wrapped another towel around me while Jasmine sat beside me quietly.
"This is my fault," she whispered suddenly.
I looked at her.
"It was just a race."
"But I pushed him into joining."
I didn't answer.
Because honestly? I blamed myself too.
I should've stayed with Nathan.I suddenly stood up again.
Jasmine looked at me immediately.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going back out there."
"Zane wait—"
"I can't just sit here."
Jasmine grabbed my wrist quickly.
"The rain's slowing down now," she said. "Wouldn't it be better to go with the next search party instead of alone?"
I looked toward the entrance.
Several officers were already preparing another search team.
Jasmine's phone rang, she looked at it.
"My parent are here," She said. I nodded.
I pulled away gently and headed toward them.
"How's the search going?" I asked.
The officers exchanged glances briefly.
I frowned.
"I asked a question."
One of them cleared his throat awkwardly.
"We're organizing another search unit now," he explained. "The storm is easing up, so visibility should improve."
"Good," I said immediately. "I'm coming with you."
The officer hesitated.
"Sir—"
"I know these woods better than most of your men do."
He looked at the others before finally nodding once.
"Alright. We're leaving now."
Outside, several off-road search vehicles were already being prepared near the stable entrance while another mounted team gathered nearby.
Without wasting another second, I climbed into one of the vehicles with them.
As we drove back toward the woods, rain still hitting against the roof—
all I could think about was Nathan.
-----
Kieran's POV
Nathan was getting worse.
His body trembled violently against mine, even though I was holding him as close as I could.
His breathing had become uneven.
Weak.
His lips were pale from the cold, cracked slightly like blisters had formed from the harsh wind and rain.
I tightened my arm around him.
"Nathan."
His eyes fluttered open weakly before closing again.
He was mumbling something under his breath.
I leaned closer to hear him.
But I couldn't make out the words.
Thunder rumbled faintly outside the cave, though the rain had started slowing down.
I looked down at him again.
His face was burning from fever.
And for the first time in a very long time— I felt scared.
I exhaled slowly and rested my head back against the cave wall.
"You were right about me," I said quietly.
Nathan didn't react.
A humorless chuckle escaped me.
"I really am just a spoiled brat with daddy issues."
His eyelashes twitched slightly.
I stared out at the rain falling outside the cave entrance.
"I've always hated him," I continued quietly. "My father."
The words came easier in the dark.
Maybe because Nathan wasn't fully awake. It was easier.
"I hated what he did to her," I said. "How he ruined her little by little."
I swallowed hard.
"But deep down…"
I paused.
"I hated myself more."
Nathan shifted weakly against me.
I continued before I could stop myself.
"I hated that I was too weak to do anything."
The cave fell silent except for the rain.
"I watched her turn from this bright, beautiful woman into…" I stopped for a second. "Someone I barely recognized anymore."
"Drinking. Pills. Crying herself to sleep."
I laughed quietly under my breath.
"And I still kept loving both of them anyway."
Nathan's fingers curled weakly against my shirt.
I looked down at him.
"When I first read your file," I admitted softly, "your past reminded me of myself."
His brows furrowed faintly like he was trying to stay awake.
"The way you'd do anything for your mother," I continued. "The guilt."
I looked away again.
"I know what it feels like to think your existence ruins the people you love."
The words felt strange leaving my mouth.
"I know what it feels like to believe you're a mistake."
Nathan's breathing shook slightly.
I looked back down at him immediately.
His eyes slowly opened.
Barely.
"You're not…" he whispered weakly.
I moved closer.
"What?"
He swallowed painfully.
"You're not a mistake."
The words were barely audible.
But they hit harder than they should have.
I stared at him silently.
Then slowly— I looked away.
Outside, the rain had weakened to a drizzle.
The woods were getting quieter. Darker.
I carefully shifted Nathan's head from my lap.
"I'm going to find help," I said quietly.
Immediately, his hand weakly grabbed my wrist.
His grip was fragile. But he still held on.
For a second— I almost stayed.
"You should rest," I said softly.
I gently removed his hand from mine and placed it back against his chest.
Then I stood up.
Before leaving the cave, I looked back one last time.
Nathan was fighting to keep his eyes open again.
"I'll be back." I whispered and left the cave.