The torches were burning low.
Smoke mixed with the cold night air and everything smelled like wet earth and fear. Knights were still moving around the river, calling Oliver's name again and again, but their voices were getting weaker.
Theo didn't stop.
He was walking through the shallow water, clothes completely soaked, boots heavy with mud. His hands were shaking but he kept searching, pushing branches aside, checking every shadow.
"OLIVER!"
His voice was hoarse now.
No answer.
Sebastian tried to stop him. "you need rest—"
"No how can I rest when my son was missing" Theo cut him off. "He is here. he must be here."
He stepped deeper into the river, almost slipping. Adrian grabbed his arm quickly.
"You'll fall," Adrian said quietly.
Theo pulled his arm back. " He already fell."
Silence.
Theo looked at the dark water again, eyes red. "he is afraid of cold water… he hates it… he always hold charles when bath time why did i let him that was all my fault"
His voice cracked.
On the riverbank, Charles was kneeling on the ground. His hands were muddy, trembling badly. He kept picking up small things — a broken branch, a piece of cloth, even a stone — like any of them could be Oliver.
"…Oliver likes fruit," he whispered randomly. "he didn't even finish eating"
Samuel stood nearby, crying silently.
Charles suddenly looked at Theo. "You said… you said you will protect him…"
Theo froze.
For a moment, he didn't know what to say?
"…I know."
Charles shook his head, tears falling. "he was just here… he was smiling… why… why i let him go if i ..."
Theo walked toward him slowly. His steps looked unsteady.
"I should have stayed with him," Theo said quietly. "i saw the attackers… but i was late… too late…I am sorry"
Charles grabbed Theo's sleeve tightly. "find him… please… he might be cold… he might be crying…"
Theo nodded, even though his expression was breaking. "I will. even if whole night… whole week… i will not stop."
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"…I can't lose my son."
The wind blew harder across the hunting field.
Torches flickered.
Guards kept searching.
But the desperation in Theo and Charles eyes was deeper than the dark river itself.
Samuel sat on the grass, knees pulled close. His eyes were red, but he wasn't crying loudly anymore.
"He promised…" Samuel murmured. "he said we train together… he said he will win next time…"
Lucas stood nearby, fists clenched tight.
"He is strong," Lucas said, but his voice wasn't confident.
Samuel shook his head. "the water was too fast…"
Lucas suddenly turned away. "No. don't say that."
Samuel looked up.
Lucas's shoulders were trembling. "…He can't be gone… he can't…"
Neither of them spoke after that.
Back at the cabin, the fire burned softly
Oliver slept under thick blankets, his breathing still weak but stable. The omega sat beside him, watching carefully.
Outside, the wind rustled the trees.
Oliver moved slightly, brows furrowing. His lips parted.
"…father…"
The omega blinked.
Even unconscious, the child looked troubled.
"…They must be worried," he murmured softly.
He placed another blanket over Oliver.
"Rest. you need strength."
Oliver's fingers twitched, gripping the blanket weakly.
Far away
Theo still searched the river.
Charles whispered Oliver's name again and again.
Samuel and Lucas refused to leave.
Hope was thin.
But not gone.
Because somewhere in the forest…