Chapter 443
Casaio followed the faint trail of Dominick’s wolf scent with hurried step. The forest was unnervingly still, but he could feel the heavy shadows. Thankfully, the lantern kept that at bay. Being brothers, their bond allowed them to sense each other’s presence, but the deeper he went, the weaker that connection felt.
Worry deepened inside him. The candle inside the lantern was burning too fast, melting down to half its size.
“Nick!” Casaio called out, his voice echoing through the trees. “Nick, it’s me! We have to go home, so reveal yourself p>
His calls broke the forest’s silence again and again. He kept glancing at the lantern, its light flickering as though warning him that time was running out.
Then, through the haze, he saw Dominick, standing among the fog and crooked roots, bathed in the dim glow of spectral light.
Casaio sprinted forward, breath ragged, and grabbed his brother’s shoulder. “Nick p>
Dominick turned slowly with a faint smile, but empty eyes.
“What are you doing here?” Casaio panted, barely catching his breath.
Dominick’s gaze drifted toward the forest around them, his tone strangely serene. “I like it here,” he murmured. “Why did you come? I can see everything I’ve ever wanted, all the good memories I’d forgotten. It’s… peaceful p>
Casaio’s chest tightened. “Nick, that’s not real. None of this is. We have to go because everyone’s waiting for you at home p>
Dominick’s expression darkened. “Home?” he repeated bitterly. “That place only brings pain. You know it too. You have witnessed what happened to me. I severed the bond between me and June. I threw her out of my life. But here, if doesn’t feel like that. There’s no pain here p>
Casaio glanced at the candle, who left only of quarter length. “Nick, I’m sorry,” he said and hit hard on Dominick’s neck. The blow made Dominick unconscious and he fell to the forest floor. Casaio lowered the lantern and quickly carried Dominick on his back. Then, carefully holding the lantern, he stood up.
Running faster, he headed back to the same path from where he had come. His forehead trickled with the sweat, but he didn’t stop. If this flame ended before they would step out, things would take terrible end for them.
The fog had thickened around them as the small flame left. His golden eyes shimmered, but he didn’t stop running with the same speed. Finally, he could see Gabriel and Evan standing outside the forest’s entrance.
“Nick! Cas!” Gabriel took a step forward, seeing both of his brothers. He saw the flame was too tiny and then it extingished. Casaio stopped just a step away from the boundary, something in his eyes changing.
Gabriel saw the fog covering them and extended his hand toward Casaio. With a hard pull, he drew out both Casaio and Dominick. The lantern fell onto the floor in the process.
Evan hurried forward, carefully lowering Dominick from Casaio’s back.
“Take him to the car,” Gabriel ordered.
Evan nodded and quickly carried Dominick away, leaving Gabriel’s gaze fixed on Casaio, who stood silently.
“Say something,” Gabriel urged.
Casaio exhaled, a small, weary smile tugging at his lips. “I saved Dominick,” he said simply.
“Yes, you did,” Gabriel acknowledged. “Shall we go home, then p>
Casaio shook his head, frowning as he ran a hand through his hair. “But why did I save him? Because of his mate… I nearly lost Zilia. I… I hate him for it p>
Gabriel’s fingers clenched into tight fists. As he had feared, Casaio had completely forgotten the warmth of the bond he once shared with Dominick, his younger brother.
“Cas, you love Nick,” Gabriel said quietly, his tone firm but gentle. “You’ve always loved him from the moment he was born p>
Casaio’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Yeah… I was a fool to think of him as a brother,” he muttered, striding ahead without another word.
Gabriel closed his eyes for a brief moment, exhaling slowly, then followed him toward the main road where a car waited.
Dominick was already slumped in the backseat, unconscious, his breaths shallow but steady. Gabriel slid into the opposite side, while Casaio took the front seat, instructing Evan to occupy the back with Dominick. Once everyone was settled, the driver started the engine, and they sped toward the palace.
Three hours later, the familiar silhouette of the palace rose against the night sky. Casaio didn’t glance at Dominick as he stepped out, moving ahead into the hall. Evan and Gabriel carefully lifted Dominick from the car and followed.
As they entered the main hall, a collective sigh of relief rose from the family. Dominick was finally home, safe.
“He’s unconscious for now,” Gabriel informed them, steadying his hold. Then, a second later, he let Evan carry Dominick toward the bedroom.
“I’ll go behind Nick,” Mabel said, leaving the main hall.
“Where’s Casaio?” Raidan asked, glancing around.
“He must have gone to his room,” Gabriel replied, then turned his attention to Amelie. “You were right. Casaio paid the price for bringing Dominick back from the cursed forest. He’s forgotten the brotherhood he once shared with Nick p>
“What?” Raidan’s voice cracked with disbelief. Amelie and Zilia exchanged shocked glances, the weight of Gabriel’s words sinking in.
“Ask Carlos if there’s any way to fix it,” Raidan told Amelie urgently, hope and worry flickering in his eyes.
“There’s no way to make it right, Father,” Amelie said softly, shaking her head. “I did ask him earlier. But… we should be grateful that at least both princes returned safely from that forest p>
A tense silence fell over the hall, the family grappling with relief and also, the harsh cost of the rescue.
“I will talk to Casaio. I will remind him,” Zilia pronounced, telling them not to worry.
“Yes. Go and be with Casaio,” Raidan stated. Once she left too, Raidan glanced at both Gabriel and Amelie.
“You both did great a job,” he said with a warm smile. “Go to your chamber. The little boy must be waiting for you both p>