Chapter 44

Austin’s POV

Damn it, I shouldn't have shown Nathan to Emma in the first place.

Nathan is a beautiful creature, yes, but he is too wild. I hope that by the time I catch up to them, the horse won't have trampled Emma. If she survives this, I won't let her ride Nathan again.

"Mr. Antonakos, there she is," a groom says, pointing into the distance.

"Thank God, she's still on Nathan's back. We'll go around. They're headed for the lake," I say, looking around the treeline.

"Nathan is a smart and young horse. If Mrs. Antonakos can keep her seat, Nathan will get tired soon enough."

"Emma didn't know how to ride a horse. It's her first time riding, and I don't want Nathan to hurt her."

My eyes focus on Emma as they speed faster and faster. Through my panic and anger, I realize that I can't lose her.

I pray to God:

"Please, please, please don't stumble. Don't lose control."

I've never seen a woman ride like that, bareback, neck or nothing, hunched over her mount with the reins loose in both han